Argiolas Costera rosso 2020 (DOC Cannonau di Sardegna)

The Cannonau variety originates from the Kingdom of Aragón (currently Spain). It is a variety capable of giving large alcoholic concentrations. Its wines have body, structure, roundness and alcohol, as is the case of the crazy wines from the D.O. Cariñena and Campo de Borja in the province of Zaragoza in Spain. This variety needs Cariñena or Syrah to reach fullness... but in Sardinia it is different, here she alone is enough.

We see the medium opacity of the Cannonau reds. A palette of ripe black fruit appears on the nose, followed by a hint of gunpowder from the cannons of L'Alger. In the mouth comes the round attack typical of the Garnacha. Good structure. Afterwards, a spicy, wide and sweet register confirms 100% of this variety. Lack of freshness A warmth that adds volume to this wine. Short but spicy and earthy finish, not devoid of sweet spice hints.

The Argiolas family values this reference at 15 euros. A family that has focused its entire life on translating the wines of Sardinia into an exciting experience and highly centered on innovation and respect for the environment. As pairings, Italian gastronomy dishes such as Ossobuco alla Milanese, an example of culinary wealth that goes beyond pizza, pasta and lassagna.

Alain Gras cuvée Les Tillets 2017 (AOC Meursault)

There are a few things you should know about the Chardonnay / Auvernat grape variety: first of all, it is the most widely planted white variety in the world, and it is also the undisputed queen of Burgundy (France). The Chardonnay / Melon d'Arbois is very versatile and gastronomic. By itself it is a brand, and the best whites in the world are made with it. Is the cuvée Les Tillets of Alain Gras one of them? Let's see.

Lemon yellow color that shows an evolution after five years since its harvest. Aromatically intense, it shows citrus, fresh butter and brioche notes typical of its aging. In the mouth a dry, wide and powerful entry. Dense and vibrant development (13% vol.), still keeping its freshness. The aging notes (12 months) mingle with those of ripe citrus peel and white spice. The finish with a tannin typical of the barrel allows, together with its freshness, to store it a little longer.

The Les Tillets plot is planted with a 35-year-old Chardonnay on clay and limestone soils. It is located in the west of the village of Meursault, very close to the plots classified as 'Premier cru'. Therefore, an almost 1st cru valued by the Gras family at 50 euros. They say about Alain that some of his reds are near of a Rhône in mouth, but the truth is that his whites and reds are a must if you love Chardonnay and the Côte de Beaune.

Domaine Saint-Nicolas cuvée Jacques (Vin de France)

The Vendée province in France is a land of wines breathing the Atlantic, but it is also a land of people, of those who love their vines, of those who preserve the best of the past and constantly innovate. Of these men who know how to open their cellars to you and offer you their passion, like Domaine Saint Nicolas in Brem-sur-Mer (Olonne island).

It is a 1oo% Pinot Noir with a good extraction of several weeks without the woody part of bunches. Timidly fruity on the nose, but with oxygenation it will become more expressive. In the mouth dry entry. Development of medium structure, with a controlled freshness. It is not marked by its 18 months in barrels. Mouth-aromas for the fruits at their point of maturity, with a herbal and undergrowth touch. Dry. Final where the fruity seal persists thanks to the clean work in the vineyard and cellar.

One of the best wineries in the Vendée region without a doubt. The quality of their products (like this Jacques for 25 euros) have led them to stand on the best tables in France. As a glamour pairing a Rabbit confit in a phyllo dough, red Bourgueil wine sauce. As second match a Seared tuna; variation of parsnips (parsnip chips; parsnip purée and roasted parsnip); Hollandaise sauce with yuzu; pickled onions; Port; raspberry vinegar.

Daruqa rosado 2021 (IGP Ribera del Jiloca)

La ribera del Jiloca está despertando poco a poco enológicamente y dando indicios de un potencial que puede competir y hacer temblar a Rioja-Baja, Cariñena y Campo de Borja. Se está posicionando ante el cliente que gusta del vino de Aragón, que sufre la desaceleración y que valora las variedades autóctonas. Sobre esto último hay que resaltar las tintas que Côtes de Jiloca ha tomado por bandera para ganar ese posicionamiento: la Juan Ibáñez, que se acompaña aquí con Moristel para expresarse así:

Nota de Cata: Visualmente un color rosa pálido con reflejos piel de cebolla y densas lágrimas, en este sentido similar al rodado provençal. Una nariz más tímida que expresiva pero que va a ofrecer aromas de tipo cítrico y herbal como la salvia. Entrada de buen frescor en boca. Desarrollo redondo que se equilibra de cojón con la tensión del ataque. Agradable, femenino, 12% vol. Aromas de boca que conjugan recuerdos de fruta blanca de hueso, florales y citricos, para dejar una estela de simpático amargor en un vibrante final.

La Sociedad Cooperativa Santo Tomás de Aquino propone un PVP alrededor de 5 euros para capear esta durísima época. Dicha Cooperativa se situa en la comarca Campo de Daroca, donde los suelos áridos, las altitudes de hasta mil metros y la geología pizarrosa recomiendo plantar Juan Ibáñez y Moristel. Como maridaje y como no podía ser otramente hay que proponer las elaboraciones de las tascas de Daroca. Pruebe las migas del restaurante La Parrilla y sino la ensaladilla casera del bar El Perragorda, lugar muy familiar.

Janna de Mare bianco 2022 (DOC Vermentino di Sardegna)

Vermentino grape variety (known in Provence as Rolle, in Corsica as Malvoise de Corse or in Liguria as Pigato) originates from the Greek Peloponnese. As a result of the collapse of the Mycenaean civilization, many inhabitants of the different Hellenic kingdoms sought a better life in other corners of the Mediterranean. The expansion of the ancient Greeks meant bringing with them the art of trade (which they disputed with the Phoenicians) and the grape varieties of this Vermentino.

Visually a straw yellow color without defects. In the mouth we find a slightly petillant entry. Aromas of pear, citrus and herbs that transport us to the meadows of Sardinia island. A light but dense development at the same time and a rabid citrus route, very Italian. Delicate herbal and citrus notes, very suitable for family aperitifs. Good freshness at all times thanks to the granite sub-soils of L' Alger village. Finish in mouth of 12.5% vol. with SO2 so present, a sorrow.

The Alghero Agricultural Society values this product at 6 euros, for sale in large commercial areas on the island. And if we talk about Alghero / L'Alguer, we must remember its rich history through which the Phoenicians, Etruscans, Catalans and Sardinians have passed. Therefore, for this Vermentino you must propose dishes that are 101% Mediterranean cuisine: prawn and zucchini skewers or a Calçot (seared grilled spring onion) with romesco sauce. Tutti a tavola!

Pinord cuvée Diorama Merlot 2018 (DO Penedés)

El Merlot es una de las seis variedades francesas permitidas en la Denominació d'Origen Penedès desde 1960. El Merlot representa a las variedades bordelesas junto al Petit Verdot y los dos Cabernets. Las áreas más frías del Penedés (zona interior o superior) acogen muy bien el Pinot Noir, y por contra las más soleadas (Baix Penedès) lo hacen con el Syrah. Volviendo al Merlot, hay que decir que compone casi íntegramente la parcela Coll de Bou, al norte de Vilafranca del Penedés. La mejor manera de dar a conocer la riqueza de las variedades francesas aplicadas al viñedo marítimo del Penedés es trabajarlas en monovarietal y en ecológico. Bodegas Pinord se está posicionando muy bien en ese sentido, dando resultados como éste.

Nota de Cata: Visualmente color profundo típico del Merlot con los matices ladrilláceos de una evolución apadrinada por 4 meses en barrica y el resto en botella. En nariz un poco cerrado al principio, pide minutos de oxigenación. Después se revela una cesta de fruta roja del bosque compuesta por frambuesas y fresas. Entrada muy intensa en clave de fruta del bosque. Desarrollo de muy buen frescor, sosteniendo una materia de media estructura pero redonda y golosa (13% vol.). Esa tensión, ese pH se nota mucho en los primeros tragos hasta que el paladar se acostumbra. Por lo tanto el conjunto es muy difrutable y dinámico con ese frescor ominpresente. Final limpio, con una fruta tan rabiosa como sospechosa de haber recibido un chute de tartárico. Aun con todo, positivo.

Un perfil diferente al Merlot bordelés, con una textura menos exhuberante y con un frescor mucho más sólido que el que podemos encontrar en Brulhois, Bergerac, Buzet o Languedoc. La aportación de la crianza en barrica es testimonial y el tanino está pulido y listo para disfrutar. Sin salir de este blog ni de Pinord Wines lean lo relativo al Xarel·lo ecológic 2018 o a su Cava Marrugat brut nature. Esta cuvée está valorada en 7'99 euros y créanme si les digo que la adquirí en unos viveros, sí, como lo leen. Los maridajes más recomendables responden a una amplia gama de manjares de la cocina de Tabarnia: para comenzar una Torrada de sobrasada con queso de Cabra. Después una butifarra con pimientos y patatas. ¿Por qué no unas simples costillas de cordero tabarnés a la brasa?

Domaine André et Mireille Tissot - Vin de paille 2009 (AOC Arbois)

In the Jura viticulture there are two specialties that you must know: one is the Vin Jaune, and the other the Vin de Paille. Two white and two red varieties are authorized for the elaboration of Straw Wine. Three ways of pasify these bunches harvested by hand, but the chosen one here are straw beds. The grapes have to reach 320 to 420 grams of sugar per liter of must to become a Vin de Paille. The aging is long: more than three years, of which it has to spend a minimum of 18 months in the barrel. In the winery, each vigneron puts his master touch to achieve results like this.

An 'assemblage' Savagnin, Chardonnay and Poulsard (red) visually of an old gold color, with some turbidity. To highlight in view of the density of the tear totally logical in a sweet wine. On the deep aromas we find a complexity around white stone fruit, flowers or iodine (reminiscent of some Sauternes wines). Four months on the traditional straw bed. Sweet entry on the palate, in balance with the freshness typical of the Jura grape varieties. Density in mouth, but not heavy. Mouth-aromas around a very ripe apricot, overripe pear and peach notes. A great complexity of sensations that has been slowly forged during the three years of aging in oak barrels. A delightful experience!

Montigny-lès-Arsures (70 km from the Swiss border) is the quiet mountain village that has been home to the Domaine André et Mireille Tissot since 1962. The sensitivity towards its vineyard and towards all the stages of vinification (biodynamic certification) endow this product with a justified quality in its 40 euros more or less. As an association pairing look for a dessert full of nuances, such as a White chocolate ganache raspberry tuiles, meringue and thyme whipped ganache, pistachio nougatine, black raspberry sorbet.

Domaine Sant Armettu rouge 2013 (AOC Corse Sartène)

The Corse – Sartène appellation, founded in 1976, has a long history that explains the perpetual situation of the vineyards on steep slopes halfway between the mountains and the sea. The cold that comes down from the mountains and the heat of the Mediterranean climate form an explosive mixture that is perfectly suited to the Sciaccarellu variety. Precisely this variety (often compared to Pinot) is associated with Sangiovese adapted to Corsica (Nielluciu) to give this marvel.

After uncorking ten years later, we find a tile red color with copper sparkles and small particles as a sign of an artisan product. The aroma has also evolved on the nose: notes of candied fruit and caramel on a background of blond tobacco. All this in a great intensity. In the mouth, the entrance is rather dry but pleasant. The solar density does not prevent it from being lighter than heavy on the palate. Mouth-aromas where ripe forest fruit is associated with the maturity of sensations, leaving behind balsamic and spicy hints. Great persistence and 13.5% vol that seem less.

Gilles Seroin, one of the Corsican producers of the new wave, value this mature reference at only 18 euros. Domaine Sant Armettu is among the three best family wineries in the southwest of the island. An island that is already producing 50 million bottles per year and only 35% of these are sold in Corsica. As a pairing an assortment of charcuteria, or wild boar terrine. Try the traditional Bocconcini: veal rolls with Parma ham and gorgonzola.

Domaine Charvin blanc 2021 (AOC Côtes du Rhône)

Côtes du Rhône offers a great diversity of red, rosé and white wines: it is a world to discover. A universe that revolves around an axis: the Rhône river. Historically this river has been a common thread between the civilized north and the warlike south. To toast this river with a glass of Chervin blanc from old vines: Bourboulenc (4o%) - Roussanne (2o%) - Clairette (2o%) - Grenache Blanc (2o%) from Orange.

Visually very clear with silver reflections. A delicate nose with floral touches typical of Clairette and Grenache (dill, fennel, rose, white flower...) and white stone fruit. Entry of small roundness in balance with a beautiful freshness hallmark of Bourboulenc. A certain density that confirms the presence of the Marsanne variety in this southern wine. Citrus notes that bring liveliness without losing the white stone fruit hints. A clean finish found thanks to the organic démarche.

Head to the city of Orange to visit this landmark winery which naturally also produces great aging wines for Châteauneuf du Pape. This white is valued at 18 euros. As a pairing, the river product is the most suitable: Rhône river mussels & fries white wine, cream, butter, shallots, garlic, parsley, Espelette peppers, fries, black truffle. As a second option, a Plancha’s seared shrimps (king-size prawns) and scallops, smoked paprika sauce.