GRAPE: List Below REGION: Alt Penedès COUNTRY: Spain AVE PRICE: $32
Look what I found @winehousela on Sunday. I needed this. It’s plush. It’s fun. It’s a mine of minerals and salt. It’s liquid sex and complex as an intimate relationship. Delicious and crunchy Cava @cava.recaredo Terrers 2010 Brut Nature Gran Reserva.
Grapes:
54% Xarello
42% Macabeu
4% Parellada
@rosenthalwinemerchantfanclub thanks for the introduction.
WEB: Recaredo
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
GRAPE: Trepat APP: Conca de Barberà COUNTRY: Spain AVE PRICE: $25
2014 Rende Masdeu del Jordie from a little spec of not so well known wine region in north-eastern Spain, Conca de Barberà. Fortunately for them I’m getting ready to put them on the map. Ok, look I’m not a complete asshole, well, maybe on occasion I fill the role quite well. This wine bottle has a very attractive label and sexy shape. It indeed caught my eye. When I inquired at my local shop it seems that no one had actually tasted the wine or even seemed a bit familiar with the grape Trepat. I decided to jump in blind which I do often, but it’s a steep dive at $25 without a word from a trusting guide. And for the life of me I still can’t recall if I’ve had a Trepat prior to this. I still can’t. And I’m hoping this isn’t the best it offers. Sometimes, when I don’t like a wine I feel guilty, as if it’s my fault. I’m a sucker for juice that has spent time clay amphorae. But this one fell short of expectations. For a moment it reminded me bit of a Pelaverga but minus all the goodness. The Trepat was fresh and a bit spicy, but just over all boring. When you start looking around the room wondering why am I drinking this? You know it ain’t for you.
WEB: Rende Masdeu
GRAPE: Carresquin/Verdejo Negro/Mencia APP: Cangas COUNTRY: Spain AVE PRICE: $45
I remember it clearly. I was bicycling at high speeds through double rock park (Baltimore) when for whatever reason I decided to veer off the trail down a very steep hill toward the stream. When my front tire touched the stones it sunk much faster than the titanic did. I flipped over the handle bars and my face ate stone. Fortunately for the world my beautiful face remains intact for you all to enjoy. I’m not certain I have point in telling you this other than that sometimes when you go down an original path, you might get your ass kicked. This wine is unique and it kicks ass, 2010 Monasterio de Corias is a delicious blend of I believe to be Carresquin (what the f*** is that grape?), Verdejo Negro, & Mencia.
Note: That average price is from Wine Searcher, I didn’t pay close to that price, good luck.
WEB: Monasterio de Corias
GRAPE: Airen APP: Madrid COUNTRY: Spain AVE PRICE: $19
Skin contact white wines: for when you can’t get the real thing.
No negotiations.
No arguments.
No complaining.
No ambitions.
No ideas.
No disease.
Open. Pour. Enjoy.
Vino Ambiz ‘Airen’ is a living wine, a wine that has a pulse you can feel in your mouth.
a word to the wine 