Wine Atlas

Don't miss: Panarroz 2004 Jumilla, Spain $10

Style: Full-flavored, hedonistic, with tons of dark berry fruit. An easy entree into the stunning values of Spain.

"Panarroz" is a brand name for this Monastrell blend (aka Mourvèdre, in France). It's made at Bodegas Olivares, a large facility in Jumilla (hoo-MEE-yah), a growing region in Spain's arid southeast. Jumilla's vineyards are at very high elevations; the huge swings between daytime and nighttime temperatures help preserve the grapes' acidity. The wine contains a good portion of Garnacha (France's Grenache) and Syrah, as well as a little Tempranillo. It's un-oaked, made and aged in neutral vats. This accentuates the intense dark berry fruit. The nose is a hedonistic delight, with violet scents. The palate is fruity and tannic, big but not clumsy.

Monastrell reigns in the southeastern regions of Jumilla and Yecla. It is usually dry-farmed (unirrigated) and produces reds with a spectacular deep color and dense texture. In southern French blends, as "Mourvèdre," it gives alcohol, color and "meatiness." Young-minded Spanish winemakers are playing with Monastrell-Cabernet and Monastrell-Syrah blends.

Where to purchase: Metro Detroit wine shops. It's imported by Handpicked Selections. If you can't find it, contact Wines of Distinction by e-mail: kornvino@earthlink.net.

Continue reading: detnews.com

By Shelley Mann Staff Writer shelley.mann@gwinnettdailypost.com

There’s no shame in not knowing the difference between merlot and cabernet. Wine aficionados and novices alike can learn everything they ever wanted to know about wine at the Wine South festival, which returns to the Gwinnett Center on Saturday and Sunday with lots of open-air wine seminars and demonstrations on cooking with wine, said festival founder Dan Thompson.

Continue reading

''__Bodegas Rejadorada, acogida a la Denominación de Origen del Vino de Toro, ha conseguido dos premios en el concurso internacional 'Mundus Vini', celebrado en la ciudad alemana de Neusdadt. El jurado de este prestigioso certamen ha concedido una Medalla de Oro al vino 'Sango 2001' y una Medalla de Plata al 'Rejadorada roble 2.003'. __''

Esta bodega recibió ayer la comunicación oficial en la que el comité organizador informaba de la concesión de los premios con los que reconoce la calidad de los vinos presentados por la bodega toresana a la cata oficial de este concurso.

Continue reading

The country's Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée classification system, around since 1935, is creaking under its own weight

Believe it or not, even the French have trouble picking out wine. Like non-French consumers, our Gallic friends are known to scan the wine aisle, glassy-eyed, wondering what is what, what goes well with what, and what is any good at all. Incroyable, non?

Continue reading