05/03/07
When I
think of Cinco de Mayo, bright festive colors come to mind. The costumes,
sombreros, the food, the drinks - every celebratory
item is aglow. Reds, yellows, greens, oranges, purples come splashing left and
right -- similar to the colors of Frida Kahlo's unique head wraps that were
often filled with glorious colorful flowers. In fact, flowers were often
illustrated in her paintings, including the painting, "Xochitl", also
known as the "Flower of Life." (I Will Never Forget You: Frida Kahlo
& Nickolas Muray, by Salomon Grimberg, $24.95).
Meanwhile in Berkeley, I keep thinking that rosado
season is just about to begin and then we get a bit of rain or cool weather and
I think “no, not yet”. So maybe it is
fortunate that most of the 2006 pink wines have yet to reach our shelves. They
tell me that the dock workers are on strike, or the wines are stuck in customs,
or some other vague shipping issue, but it all boils down to us not having a
whole bunch of rosado to sell at the
moment. The few new rosados we do have are delicious and we hear good things about the
wines yet to come, so if your personal clock is set to rosado time we have a couple of excellent new wines for you.
Meanwhile,
most of us are still enjoying the latest arrivals in the white and red wines.
This week
we recap the new rosados that we do
have, as well as alerting you to some new wines from
New Pink:
Marques de Caceres Rosado 2006
$10.99 At last! We are very excited to offer this, the first
Spanish rosado of the season. This
refreshingly dry wine displays pale watermelon color, fresh berry aroma and
bright citrus fruit character. Composed of 80% Tempranillo and 20% Garnacha,
this is sure to be as well received on your table as it is in our store.
Amestoi Rubentis 2006 $15.99 Here’s a
new one for you…rosado Txakoli. You
heard it right. That dry, spritzy Basque white wine that is so refreshing and
food friendly now comes in a pink version. This blend of white Hondarribi Zuri
and red Hondaribbi Beltza grapes (grown only in the Basque lands) stays true to
its Txakoli name with spritzy effervescence and lean minerality. Just a hint of
fresh berry fruit sets the pink version apart from the austere grapefruit
character of the other Txakoli wines. This is my new standard for warm weather
refreshment.
New White:
Con Class 2005 $ 11.99 Verdejo is the primary grape variety in D.O. Rueda in the same way
as Albariño is the predominant
varietal in D.O. Rías Baixas. Con Class
is a D.O. Rueda wine composed of 80% Verdejo,
10% Viura and 10% Sauvignon Blanc. This crisp, aromatic
white wine displays orange blossom aroma and guava fruit character. It would be a perfect
accompaniment to a springtime lunch composed of young vegetables (green peas or
fava beans), fresh cheeses (Manchego Tierno, or fresh goat cheese) and egg
dishes (Tortilla Española, or quiche).
Lagar de Cervera 2006 $19.99 This
wine is consistently one of the most requested Albariño wines in our store. Produced by the same group that also
makes red La Rioja Alta wines, this white wine is produced in a winery located
in D.O. Rías Baixas on the Atlantic coast. The new 2006 vintage is so fresh, so
pure, so lively that it perfectly embodies the spring season.
Viña Godeval 2005 $17.99 Back in the day (way back, like,
three or four years ago), this was the only D.O. Valdeorras wine made from the Godello grape that most of us had ever
seen out here on the west coast. Thing have improved for Godello appreciators and now we carry several of these wines, but
Viña Godeval was the first, and it still represents the grape and the region in
fine fashion. For those who have not yet tried Viña Godeval, it is a crisp,
unoaked white wine that displays grapefruit aroma and flavor along with gentle
white peach fruit character balanced by edgy minerality. Superlative
refreshment.
New Red:
Equis 2004 $10.99
This V.T. Castilla wine from Bodegas Luan, produced from vineyards not far
(roughly 100 miles) from the Mediterranean is a blend of 40% Bobal, 20% Merlot, 10% Syrah, 10% Garnacha, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 10% Tempranillo.
Although much of the wine of the region is filtered, the
Vinha da Palestra 2003 $11.99 This is a young Portuguese wine from D.O.C.
Douro composed of
roughly equal parts Touriga Franca, Tinta
Barroca and Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo by another name) that offers a gentle glimpse at the
powerful Douro reds of days gone by. This new style of
Navarro Correas Cabernet Sauvignon
2004 $14.99 This hearty Argentine Cabernet attracted our attention for
several reasons. For starters, it displays abundant black pepper aroma and dark
berry fruit along with well integrated tannins. Also, we have tasted many
excellent Argentine wines made from Cabernet Sauvignon lately and this one
offers ample pleasure at a great price. Finally, our newest Employee, Jehan,
lived in
Pico Madama 2003 $32.99
This is a D.O. Jumilla wine made in limited quantities (approximately
1250 cases) by Marcial Martínez Cruz especially for Guy Anderson, the English
importer responsible for Mad Dogs and Englishmen as well as a popular French
wine known as ‘Fat Bastard’. Originally intended for the British market, the
wine somehow found its way to the
Pico
Madama is composed of 55% Monastrell
and 45% Petit Verdot. The former was
aged in American oak and the latter in French oak for 13 months before being
bottled unfiltered. The inky dark violet color is just what one would expect
from a Jumilla wine. What distinguishes this bottle is the firm tannic
structure and a slight grapeskin-like bitter background note that serve to balance
the rich, sweet fruit character.
Serve Pico Madama with rich, spicy, meaty
meals ranging from chili con carne to skirt steak with a pimentón dry rub.
(The Wine
Advocate gave the 2004 vintage 93 Points,
noting “if you should see the 2003 Pico Madama on the shelf, do not hesitate.
It is nearly as good as the 2004”.)
Leva Daniel 2004 $34.99 In
2003, Spanish importer Aurelio Cabastrero and his
wife Jenny had their first child, a son they named Daniel. To celebrate,
Aurelio worked with some of his producers to create special cuvees named
Daniel. Bodegas Bernabe Navarro in D.O. Alicante is
one of those producers. It is a small family estate owned by Rafael Bernabe. The 40 hectares are predominantly planted with Monastrell, but they also grow Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. The high altitude of the vineyards, the low yields and the
lack of rainfall produce grapes with a high level of concentration.
The
2004 Leva Daniel (the second vintage for this wine)is made from 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Tempranillo, 15% Syrah, and 15% Merlot,
fermented and aged separately in 50% new
and 50% second generation French oak barrels for twelve months before final
blending and bottling.
Inky
dark and unfiltered, the wine has deep aromas of blueberries and cassis. Huge
spicy fruit flavors of blackberry and gently tannic oak combine for a round,
juicy and complex organaleptic experience.
Serve this wine with barbecued
pork ribs or a Catalan stew of pork and prunes.
05/10/07
Nothing says 'Thanks Mom' like a great bottle of wine.
Fresh cut Roses make a nice gift, but think how much more she will love you if instead you give her a fresh bottle of rosado.
Or, how about surprising her, just as you did when you were a child, with breakfast in bed? This Mother's day tradition that will be even more special with a Mimosa made from fresh squeezed O.J. and bright, bubbly Cava. If Mom needs extra special attention you could make that Mimosa out of rosado Cava, thereby doubling your chances of winning her special appreciation.
Maybe you are taking your mother out to a nice restaurant?
This year, show that you actually put thought into her special day by showing
up to dinner with a really nice
bottle of wine to accompany the meal, or better yet, show up with two bottles,
a white and a red, to show that you have good taste as well as good manners.
If you traditionally send a gift on Mother's Day, this year you should consider
sending a mixed case of our value priced 'house wine'. Mom can stock her pantry
with tasty, traditional wines that will remind her of you each time she opens a
new bottle.
And, if your mother loves music, we have an array of fine
tunes from
Pink:
Verasol Rosado 2006 $10.99 Just arrived today! The Garnacha grape thrives in the high
altitude vineyards of D.O. Campo de Borja. Verasol Rosado expresses the
vibrant, fruit filled flavors that young Garnacha
wines (made from old Garnacha vines)
are capable of. Ripe strawberry and raspberry aromas pair well with bright
citrus flavors. This refreshing young wine is perfect with an afternoon picnic
in the grass.
White:
Avinyó Vi
D’Agulla 2006 $12.99
I announced this wine a few weeks ago, but it keeps selling out (actually, I
keep buying it all up) so you may not have had a chance to try it yet.
I said “ The Avinyó Cava that we carry (the traditional Brut
Reserva As well as the new Brut Rosado) is always top notch. This small winery
also produces a traditional summer wine called Vi
D’Agulla (translates literally as ‘needle wine’). This lightly effervescent
white wine made from Petit Grain Muscat
is floral and aromatic like a Moscatel,
but only gently sweet. The light bubbles lift the scent and give the wine a
lively, fresh character. The prickly effervescence is what gives the wine its
name. Serve Vi D’Agulla as a welcoming cocktail to
your dinner guests and watch the smiles spread with each sip.”
Lagar de Cervera Albariño 2006
$19.99 The
newest vintage of this, one of our most requested Albariño wines, has just arrived. Bright lemon color and rich
tropical fruit aromas and flavors of guava and mango combine brilliantly with
flinty minerality. When first released this wine is lightly spritzy, which adds
to the fun, I think.
Red:
Santa Cruz de Artazu 2004 $36.99 This
brilliant D.O. Navarra wine produced from small plots of 70-90 year old
Garnacha is ripe, spicy and very finely detailed. Josh Raynolds of Steven
Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar rated this wine at 91 points, saying “Deep
ruby. Powerful, ripe, spicy scents of cherry, cured
meat and cracked pepper. Very intense on the palate, with the
cherry flavor framed by solid but not strident tannins. Finishes youthfully taut, with a repeating pepper note and
impressive length. Give this some cellar time, or decant it for an
hour.”
Pago de los Capellanes Crianza
2004 $31.99 As this wine was just released, we are well ahead of the
curve, review-wise. The 2003 version was rated by The Wine Spectator as their
highest scoring Spanish wine among their ‘Top 100 wines of 2006’. The 2004 is
produced, like the 2003, from 90% Tinto
Fino and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon,
and aged for 12 months in French oak before bottling. Dark garnet color, oak
aroma and initially firm tannins (that soften with age or exposure to oxygen)
encounter rich blackberry fruit character. The aromas and flavors are very well
integrated and should last for 8-10 years before they start to fade.
House Wines
Our
‘house wine’ selections are still available. In case you missed the initial
description, I repeat it here.
We have
created a special section of youthful, traditionally styled wines (like what
you would get in a typical Spanish bar) that retail for $6.99. Individually these wines are already
inexpensive. The standard 10% discount for full case purchases would normally
bring the price down to $6.30 per bottle.
With these particular wines we will offer a special discounted price of $5.99 per bottle with 12 bottle purchase.
Los Cardos Malbec Rosé 2005 $6.99 The
latest addition to our increasingly popular ‘house wine’ section is this
Argentine rosado. Made from the local
Malbec grape, this gentle pink wine
is a perfect back porch cocktail wine. It would also make a fine accompaniment
to roast chicken or poached salmon
Infinitus Viura/Chardonnay 2005
$6.99 Crisp,
young white wine made from a 50/50 blend of tank fermented (no oak) Viura and
Chardonnay. Fresh citrus and green apple fruit character.
The perfect back porch cocktail.
Vall Major Blanco 2004 $6.99 This D.O. Terra Alta white wine is
produced from 100% Macabeo grapes.
Pale straw color, grapefruit aroma and tart green grape fruit character. A composed salad of spring lettuces and
Spanish ventresca tuna with a sherry vinaigrette would
make a nice accompaniment.
Infinitus Tempranillo 2005 $6.99 Fresh, youthful aroma, bright
cherry-like fruit character and gentle grape skin tannins in the background. Excellent with rice or pasta dishes.
Infinitus Syrah 2005 $6.99 Dark garnet color, spicy herbal aroma and rich,
full-bodied black cherry fruit character. Pass the cork screw and fire up the
grill!
Castillo de Daroca
2005 $6.99 From
the same D.O. Calatayud region winemakers who bring you Viña Alarba comes this
blend of mostly Garnacha with a bit
of Syrah in the mix. Youthful red berry fruit character, with some added color and structure
from the Syrah.
Albet i Noya Tempranillo Clàssic 2002 $6.99 Dry,
earthy Tempranillo from D.O. Penedès
in Catalunya. Toasted
oak barrel aroma and tannin with underlying dried cherry fruit character.
Made from organic grapes.
Señorio de Balboa 2003 $6.99 This Tempranillo is perfect for a backyard barbecue. The ripe fruit character is balanced by
lightly tannic oak to firm up the structure of the wine and give it enough
oomph to stand up to grilled meats and other charred delights.
Reverendo Tinto 2004 $6.99 Mostly Tempranillo with
a bit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Typical D.O. Navarra style. Lean and savory
with tangy pie cherry fruit character, well integrated tannins and background
earthiness.
05/18/07
Get ready to ramp up your summer
entertaining skills with our first Paella and wine class of the season.
I am teaming up with the professionally
trained and highly
entertaining duo of Mike C. and Olivier Said from Kitchen On Fire to bring you
this hands-on class that will teach you everything you need to know to throw a
spectacular Paella party in your own home.
Located in the heart of North
Berkeley, upstairs at the new
“Join Kevin Hogan from The Spanish Table to learn first-hand the joys of the
Spanish rice dish known as Paella. Kevin will share his knowledge and
experience in all things Paella-related. The class will include some hands-on
participation to prepare a mixed poultry/meat/seafood Paella that will be consumed
at the culmination of the class. Participants will also get a chance to make
and sample some simple tapas while waiting for the Paella to cook. Kevin is the
wine buyer for The Spanish Table in
That pretty much sums it up.
The class is $65.00 per person and (since it’s me teaching the class)
includes a tasting of five different Spanish wines that are appropriate to the
meal. To register for this exciting event, go to the Kitchen on Fire web site https://www.kitchenonfire.com//course_class.php?class=280.
They will be handling all reservations for the class. Also, this week in the
San Francisco Examiner, Patricia Unterman tells the Bay Area where to find the
best Paella supplies (right here, of course): http://www.examiner.com/a-732885~Unterman_tips__Paella_and_a_benefit_feast.html
as well as sharing her thoughts on B-44 restaurant in San Francisco: http://www.examiner.com/a-732884~Authentic_Catalan_bistro_in_the_heart_of_S_F_.html.
East of
the Caldicott tunnel, Jessica Yadegaran of the Contra
Costa times shares her thoughts about off beat wines, including several of the
unique and delicious wines found here at The Spanish table: http://www.contracostatimes.com/foodandwine/ci_5908251.
Meanwhile, here are some of the
latest arrivals here in the wine department:
White Wines:
Laxas Albariño 2006 $17.99 The new vintage of this ripe, floral Albariño from
Xarmant 2006 $13.99 We just received the new vintage of this youthful, spritzy
white Txakoli wine from the Basque lands. Most of the Txakoli is grown on the
coast. This wine comes from vineyards in the inland hills of Alava province where
the grapes get a better chance of fully ripening, thus creating a fuller,
rounder wine with less of the austere minerality of the coastal Txakoli. An excellent introduction to Txakoli for those who have yet to
experience this wonderfully refreshing wine.
Espadana Sauvignon Blanc 2005 $10.99 (was
$14.99) This wine from the Rueda region in North
central
Red Wines:
Nekeas Tempranillo/Merlot 2005 $9.99 The new vintage of this wine is here just in time for the
beginning of picnic season. This light bodied blend of Tempranillo and Merlot is
gentle and bright, with fresh berry fruit character and a clean finish. If you
aren’t in picnic mode just yet, try it on a weeknight with a simple pasta or
rice dish.
Periquita 2004 $11.99 In
Portugal, Jose Maria da Fonseca has been making Periquita since 1850. Produced
in the Peninsula de Setubal region south of
Periquita
Classico 2001 $24.99 For a more mature
perspective on Periquita, try the 100% Castelão
version of this wine from the same producers as the regular Periquita. Aged
for 10 months prior to bottling, Periquita Classico is a bold, spicy, well
structured red wine that has been a favorite among wine lovers from Portugal
(and elsewhere) for over a century.
Maestro Sierra Fino $13.99 (375ml)
Maestro Sierra Amontillado $21.99 (375ml)
Maestro Sierra Oloroso $15.99 (375ml)
Maestro Sierra was founded in 1832 by Jose Antonio Sierra,
who, as a master carpenter, was responsible for building barrels for all the
major Sherry houses. Recognized as one of the top coopers in the area, he
longed to become involved in the Sherry trade itself. As this business was
dominated by the nobility, a start-up such as his was not very welcome. After
many hardships he was able to establish and grow his business becoming one of
the top Almacenistas (stockholders) of high quality Sherries. Poking fun at his
struggle, the label depicts an allegorical fox hunt with the “Nobles” hunting
the fox (Maestro Sierra).
Pilar
Pla Pechovierto currently owns Maestro Sierra. Doña Pilar is a widow whose
husband was a direct descendent of the Sierra family. She respected her
husband’s wish that the winery remain in operation after his death and over the
last thirty years she has kept the winery open, selling very limited stocks of
wine to a few of the large Sherry houses. Because the wines have virtually
remained unmoved due to the almost non existent business, the stocks at Maestro
Sierra are some of the oldest in
These
are some of the finest
Maestro
Sierra Fino is pale straw colored, bracingly dry and nutty
with a whiff of sea breeze. Serve it as an aperitif.
Maestro
Sierra Amontillado is amber gold in color with a rich aroma of
almonds and fresh hay. A very gentle note of raisin-like fruit character is
present here. This wine pairs well with aged cheeses and curd meats.
Finally, the Maestro Sierra Oloroso is dark amber
with flavors of walnuts, butterscotch and figs. Serve this wine at the end of a
big meal.
05/24/07
Planning
a holiday party? Do yourself (and your wallet or
pocketbook) a favor and check out our selection of Spanish and Portuguese
beers, ready made Sangria and value priced 'house wines'. These bargains will
be sure to start your Memorial Day get-together on a new and exciting note
without busting your budget. (See below.)
Also, if you're interested in making your own sangria for your holiday bash, we
have some excellent books filled with fun and festive sangria recipes. "Sangria" by Mittie Hellmich ($14.95). Recipes
include traditional red and wine sangria as well as sangria de cava, sangria
rosada and sangria de moscatel. Toss in various fruits (whatever’s in season
and looks good) and make a strawberry mint sangria, mango lemongrass sangria or
papaya hibiscus sparkling sangria. Or, check out our very own Spanish Table
Sangria recipes in "The Spanish Table Cookbook" by Steve Winston
($19.99). Steve has some delicious crowd-pleasing sangria recipes, including
peach and cherry sangria as well as blood orange and cranberry sangria.
Meanwhile, check out some exciting and
unique beverages to help you make the most of the long weekend, then read down
a bit for some new arrivals in the wine department (and, as a reminder, the Spanish Table
will be open on Memorial Day from 11am - 5pm)..
Estrella
Sagres Lagar $6.99 Excellent
Portuguese beer, just like what you get all across
Super Bock $7.99 Bold, full bodied flavor
makes this a unique Portuguese beer.
Aromas de Turis Red Sangria $8.99 (I Liter) Ready made Spanish Sangria. Just add sliced fruit and ice. It’s
like an instant beach vacation.
Aromas de Turis White Sangria $8.99 (1 Liter) White Sangria? You bet! A novel alternative to the traditional red sangria. Just add
sliced fruit and ice. It’s just that easy.
Cruz Garcia Reál Sangria $14.99 (1.5 Liter jug) This party–sized jug of ready made
Sangria may be just the right size for your holiday party crowd. Simply pour
over ice and add some sliced lemon and orange if you wish.
Viu Manent Malbec 2006 $6.99 The latest
addition to our ‘house wines’ section is a bold, young red from Chile made from
the local Malbec grape. An excellent
accompaniment to barbecue and grilled foods, this would also make a delicious base
for sangria.
Viu Manent Sauvignon Blanc 2006 $6.99 Also from
Pink Wines:
Tres Ojos Rosado 2006 $7.99 We got
just a few cases of this friendly, ripe rosado
from the high altitude vineyards of D.O. Calatayud in
Amestoi Rubentis 2006 $15.99 We sold all of our first
shipment, but our trusty distributor found a few more cases of this rosado Txakoli…that’s right, rosado Txakoli. Everyone’s favorite
dry, spritzy Basque white wine now comes in a pink version. This blend of white
Hondarribi Zuri and red Hondaribbi Beltza grapes (grown only in
the Basque lands) stays true to its Txakoli name with spritzy effervescence and
lean minerality. Just a hint of fresh berry fruit sets the pink version apart
from the austere grapefruit character of the other Txakoli wines. This is my
new standard for warm weather refreshment.
White Wines:
Fefiñanes Albariño
2006 $16.99 One
of my absolute favorite Albariño
wines has just been released in the 2006 vintage. This wine exhibits top shelf
quality at very reasonable price. The intriguing blend of floral aromas layered
over a rocky mineral foundation is typical of the best wines from D.O. Rías
Baixas and is evident here in abundance.
Ipsum 2006 $10.99 The new vintage
of Ipsum has just arrived. This refreshing white wine from D.O. Rueda is a
blend of 60% Verdejo and 40% Viura sourced from high altitude
vineyards in
Viña Godeval 2005 $17.99 We announced the arrival of this Godello grape wine from D.O. Valdeorras
last week, but I just read the latest review from The Wine Spectator where this wine was awarded 90 Points. They say: “Crisp
yet delicate, this white is almost weightless, with floral, mineral and citrus
notes that float across the palate on a razor beam of acidity. Perfect to accompany clams and oysters.”
I think they meant laser, not razor, but you get the picture.
Red Wines:
Biurko Gorri Arbanta 2005 $10.99 We
just received this organic red from D.O.C. Rioja. Recently, The Wine Advocate reviewed this wine,
awarding it 89 Points. Jay Miller
said “The 2005 Biurko Gorri Arbanta
offers superb value, among the best in my Spanish tastings. It is 100%
Tempranillo, tank fermented and aged. Medium ruby in color, it exhibits
remarkable aromatic complexity for its price point with cherries, red currants,
and spice in evidence. The wine is elegant, balanced, and fruity right through
the lengthy finish. Drink it over the next 1-3 years.” I concur.
Quinta do Infantado Tinto 2003 $14.99 Portuguese red wines,
especially those made by port wine producers keep getting better and better.
The initial vintage (2001) of this red D.O.C. Douro wine was tarry and rustic.
The new vintage is much smoother without loosing the smoky, earthy character
that is typical of this region. Dark color and abundant, ripe fruit character
encounter concentrated spicy flavors and intermingle to create a big red wine
suitable for outdoor grilling and spicy foods.
Viña Cubillo Crianza
2001 $25.99
Bodegas Lopez de Heredia makes some of the most old-school, traditional wines
in D.O.C. Rioja. This red wine, composed of Tempranillo
and Garnacha with small amounts of Graciano, Mazuelo and Viura (a white wine grape) sees three
years of ageing, with two of those years spent in oak barrels hand crafted on
site. Light ruby color, bright yet gentle red berry fruit and abundant barrel
character are typical of this producer’s wines. A true taste
of history.
Paella Class Update
I forgot
a vital piece of information in last week’s announcement about the upcoming
Paella and Wine class at Kitchen On Fire cooking
school in
“Join
Kevin Hogan from The Spanish Table to learn first-hand
the joys of the Spanish rice dish known as Paella. Kevin will share his
knowledge and experience in all things Paella-related. The class will include
some hands-on participation to prepare a mixed poultry/meat/seafood Paella that
will be consumed at the culmination of the class. Participants will also get a
chance to make and sample some simple tapas while waiting for the Paella to
cook. Kevin is the wine buyer for The Spanish Table in
The class is $65.00 per person and
(since it’s me teaching the class) includes a tasting of five different Spanish
wines that are appropriate to the meal. To register for this exciting event, go
to the Kitchen on Fire web site https://www.kitchenonfire.com//course_class.php?class=280.
They will be handling all reservations for the class.