Category Archives: Everyday Wines

Las Brisas: Rueda Wine Review

A Wine for the Summer

OK, summer is nearing an end (at least, in the Northern Hemisphere) , but there are still plenty of hot days, nights, and barbecues coming that beg for a crisp, refreshing white wine. That said, herewith you are presented a wine review for Las Brisas, a Spanish white that is ideal for summer enjoyment.

The wine is a DO Rueda, which means that it comes from the Rueda region of Spain. Rueda is in the central part of Spain, northwest of Madrid and southwest of Ribera del Duero. The chalky soils there are conducive to dry, minerally whites; the main grapes grown are Verdejo (or Verdeho), Viura, and to a lesser extent, Sauvignon Blanc. This particular Rueda is brought into the US by Tempranillo Imports and a “Jorge Ordonez Selection” — when you see that name, it is usually a good wine.

Las Brisas has a wide open, ripe array of fruity and grassy aromas that attack the nose on first sniff. In the mouth it is a bright, open, colorfully fruitful and refreshing white wine filled with gobs of ripe white fruits: green grapes, white peach, apricot, pear, granny smith apple, grapefruit, and lime-y citrus. It’s juicy and crisp at the same time; it may as well be a glass of fruit salad. An excellent edge of acidity makes it a great match for white meats and seafood, and doubles as a thirst quencher. A slight touch of perceived peachy sweetness makes it a good foil for hot and spicy dishes. This is a great choice for a summer barbecue; also a great “segue” wine for those trying to escape white zindom and enter the world of real fine wine.

a-8 t-8 b-8 fc-7 v-8

Wine Rating: 89 points

Find a merchant who sells this wine

Follow this link to purchase this wine through Wine.com: Las Brisas 2005 Blanc

Wrongo Dongo

Wrongo Dongo wine bottleReal deal price: 8.99

N: Wide-open, superripe berry fruit. Blackberries, raspberries, boysenberries.

P: Upfront ripe berry fruit. Chunks of blackberry, black cherry, and vanilla oak, with a line of chocolate licorice. Smooth texture. Drying acidity in the midpalate and sweet ripe tannins in the finish, which is attractive and longer than expected. Matched nicely with turkey tacos, should do well with other Mexican dishes, mild Indian cuisine, and simple fare such as burgers and barbecue chicken.

In some areas of the country, you may find this at 5.99 or 6.99, in which case it is an absolute steal.

A-8 T-8 B-8 FC-8 V-10

Find a merchant who sells this wine

Buy Wrongo Dongo from Wine.com
icon

Post-Primitivo

Last night after enjoying two glasses of Cantele Primitivo 2002, I (synthetically) corked it back up and put it in the fridge. Tonight I enjoyed two more glasses, and pleased to report that the wine was just as good, possibly better, than last night. Not bad for a seven-dollar wine!