GRAPE: Garnacha APP: Sierra de Gredos COUNTRY: Spain AVE PRICE: $21.99

As a kid, I thought I was Evel Knievil, minus the bravery or stupidity depending on your point of view. On one glorious grey Baltimore morning my mother took me down to Bel-Garden Bi-Rite and graciously allowed me to ride on the front of the grocery cart. I thought I was so clever, maneuvering my way around the cart with my feet on the ovular chassis, side to side, turning around and around without touching the ground. Of course that came to an abrupt end as I turned around and my hands slipped from the cart. I fell face flat to the floor. I felt the pain go from my front tooth to the back of my head.

My mother helped me from the ground. I don’t remember what she said, but I suppose seeing your child’s front tooth sticking straight out of your mouth hanging from a little thread of flesh to gum might be a bit of a shock. She called the dentist from a landline phone, yes kids, they used to exist. We headed to the dentist where they made a very good effort to put the tooth back into place. They were partially successful. I still have this tooth but if you take a look you can see it’s clearly out of place and to this day a bit more sensitive both from a social point of view and a physical one. A cold drink or blowing into an woodwind occasionally sends an electrical sting through my head.

One would hope a child would learn a positive lesson from an experience like this. I learned the following, don’t do stupid shit and you might not get fucked up. Or don’t do stupid shit and miss out on a whole lot of fun. So, till this day I adorn a front tooth that sticks out like a Chiclets or the front teeth of bugs bunny. No stunts or daredevil moves these days. Working out at the gym and day drinking might be the most dangerous physical risk I endeavor.

My most daring move this afternoon was a delightful slice of leftover skirt steak and finishing a bottle of wine. This is my first Vino Ambiz red. I fell in love with Fabio’s Airen and Malvar the moment I they hit my mouth, so when I saw the Garnacha I was all over it. His wines are the way I like them. Free of additives and manipulation. Native yeasts. Beautifully hazy, why? Cause it’s unfined and unfiltered. Fabio describes his philosophy here. His wines are full of flavors that take you off the typical spectrum. This Garnacha is delicious and chewy. I could feel the heat the of the alcohol 14% a bit more today than last night, of course maybe it doesn’t help that it’s 98 degrees outside. It’s aromatic, easy to drink, and food friendly. 

WEB: Vinos Ambiz & Jose Pastor Selections