How I make my selections...

Rarely will I publish a review of a wine that I did not enjoy; my taste is purely individual, as is your own. If I write about a particular wine, I do so because I also want you to try it.

The new website is now available!

The new website is now available!
Click the image to link to TylerPhilp.com

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Wine for the Weekend

  
Did you pick up the latest vintages release catalogue?  It’s full of good deals that arrive on store shelves this Saturday morning.  It also makes recommending only two wines in this edition of Wine for the Weekend a real challenge! 

My first selection is a Spanish label from the Feb 18th Vintage release, so unless your local store has stocked the shelves early, you may not be able to get your hands on it before that point.  This one however is worth the special trip on Saturday morning. 
With our second wine, I continue to branch out into unfamiliar territory for most wine enthusiasts: Graševina is a grape that produces clean white wine and is grown throughout Eastern Europe.  I think you will enjoy this popular Slovenian taste. 

Enjoy,
Tyler


Red
2007 Bodegas LAN Crianza – Rioja, Spain

I was out for dinner with the guys in Cancun a few months ago and convinced them to order a bottle of wine with dinner instead of the typical layover beer guzzling extravaganza.  This was the wine that we paired with tortilla soup and beef tornados on the patio by the beach. With the arrival of the second bottle, they were converted and wine conversation began to flow.   
Expect aromas of raspberry, cherry, and cinnamon stick with subtle hints of oak influence; silky smooth red fruit and just a touch of spice on the palate with no hard edges whatsoever.  $15.95 (166538) Vintages (dry)

White
2009 Podrumi Belje, Graševina, Vrhunsko Vino – Republika Hrvatska, Croatia

The most widely planted white grape variety in Croatia is Graševina.  It is also known as Welchriesling in Austria and is of no relation to the traditional Rieslings from Alsace and Germany that we are more familiar with.  The nose is filled with a combination of floral and stone mineral notes intertwined with an unusual honeyed sort of apricot twist.  As it rolls across your palate, the slightly exotic taste is clean, refreshing and finishes with just a touch of spice.  Serve this well chilled and enjoy it with cold salads.   
$16.95 (264200) Vintages (dry)



Posted by