Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: K&L'sFirst Spain-Focused Electronic Newsletter!

By: Joe Manekin | K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings all,

For anyone who missed our first Spain focused online newsletter emailed earlier this week, here is the link:

http://www.klwines.com/staff/3005pdf/May13-Spain.pdf 

It's Memorial Day weekend, and while beer is the customary cookout tipple for many, there of course must be wine! Here are some quick picks chosen for optimal refreshment.

2011 Vega de Ribes Sauvignon Blanc Penedes - $14.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1114664

Tired of SB's tendencies towards the tropical, grassy, one could even say obnoxious if you're a real SB hater...try this. Fully ripe but delicious sauvignon blanc from around the Garraf near Sitges (about half hour drive south of Barcelona) that refreshes and will wow for its fullness of flavor, intensity and overall balance.  Both fans and critics of Sauvignon Blanc should agree on this one. Organically farmed and very low total sulphur as well, I'm thirsty just thinking about this wine.

2011 Morgadio Albariño Rias Baixas - $19.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1127503

If you're looking for the real thing, something beyond the juicy fruit and hint of CO2 sparkle of a more basic, starter Albariño, Morgadio is the way to go. It cuts a wide, bright, tangy citric and yellow stone fruited swath across the palate, with acidity that is not at all shy but remains balanced with the fruit and granite minerality. Good vine material, native yeast fermentation and patient ageing on the lees in tank separate this from a host of its competitors in the region.

2012 Xavier Clua "El Sola d'en Pol" Rosado Terra Alta - $10.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1130012

Syrah and Grenache rosado that is not shy with the red berry and watermelon fruit, but does not go to a nearly bubblegummy rosé place; it finishes clean, mineral and dry. Xavier Clua makes very good, affordable wines in his southern Catalan locale. The staff is starting to buy this up and drink it down - usually a good sign.

2010 Viña Zorzal Graciano Navarra (previously $14.99) - $12.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1088241

A juicy, fruit forward and satisfying rendition of what is more often a blending grape in Rioja, an oddball red variety in Rota near the Sherry triangle, and even a popular grape variety on the island of Gran Canaria. To further entice you to try for yourself, we've knocked a few dollars off the price.

Saludos and happy holiday weekend everyone,

Joe

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com

Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: Bodegas Riojanas in the House! Special Tasting Thursday 4/11

By: Joe Manekin | K&L Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings all,

BODEGAS RIOJANAS will be in the house here in Redwood City next Thursday 4/11 from 5pm-6:30pm. You will definitely want to join us as we will have some tasty Spanish themed snacks and both Sara (export dept) and Pablo (winemaker) here to explain what distinguishes this traditional, historic Rioja bodega from many others. As you probably know, these are some of our favorite Riojas on the shelf and it's always a pleasure to taste through them, particularly when we have a knowledgeable winemaker to walk us through the line-up. Just $5 to taste and snack!

rsvp on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/klwines?ref=hl#!/events/287689771363901/

link on K&L Local Events: http://www.klwines.com/local_events.asp

Hope to see you there.

Saludos,

Joe

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com

Spanish & Portuguese Wine News: Special Cune & Contino Rioja Tasting Tuesday March 12th

By: Joe Manekin | Spanish & Portuguese Wine Buyer

Greetings all,

 Let's get back onboard with a few Rioja events, one in our Redwood City store and another put on by our friends at Vibrant Rioja, up in SF. Mark your calendar for these dates:

Contino & Cune Tasting Tuesday March 12th (5-6:30pm, REDWOOD CITY, $5) - Join us in welcoming Contino winemaker Jesús Madrazo as we taste a few current releases, as well as go into the vaults for some library releases (which we will be offering on a pre-sale basis) of Contino and Cune. Jesús is one of the most knowledgeable winemakers in Rioja and it is a very educational experience to taste with him. My only regret is that I will not be here to taste these classics (don't feel too bad for me though - I'll be in Rioja....)  Let us know you're coming & rsvp here.

Saturday March 23rd (6:30-8:30pm) - From Vibrant Rioja: "Join Vibrant Rioja's Nina Sventitsky at Elite Audio SF for an evening of Rioja wines and great music. Listen to your favorite vinyl, cd's, iTunes on the best hifi systems in San Francisco. Charcuterie and cheeses by Boccalone." event link

And now, for some spring cleaning. We need to make a little room for the bounty of new whites and rosés that are just starting to trickle in. Here are a handful of last year's picks. They're all delicious and marked down so give one or more a try:

2011 Abad "Abad Dom Bueno" Godello Bierzo - $14.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1110612

2011 Adega Cooperativo Regional de Monçao "Muralhas de Monçao"  Vinho Verde - $11.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1093696

2009 Monasterio de Corias Grandiella Albarín Blanco Tierra de Cangas - $17.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1112485

2010 Seculo Godello y Doña Blanca Bierzo - $9.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1089330

2011 Viña Zorzal Rosado Navarra - $9.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1088243

2011 Aphros Vinhão Rosé Vinho Verde - $12.99

http://www.klwines.com/detail.asp?sku=1109049

Saludos,

Joe

 

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Joe Manekin

Spanish, Portuguese, Latin American Wine Buyer

K&L Wine Merchants

Ph: 877.559.4637 ext. 2748

joemanekin@klwines.com