Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2010 Viñas Del Vero Secastilla Garnacha ($40)

The vineyards in the Secastilla valley are located in the north-eastern part of the Somontano region in Aragon Spain. The name Somontano means "under the mountains" which is appropriate since the region sits in the foothills of the central Pyrenees mountains. This region is located just 35 miles south of France.

The grapes are selected from old vines in the Guardia Miranda vineyard, de-stemmed before fermentation. It underwent malolactic conversion in French oak barrels and remained there for 10 months.

The vineyard’s elevation leads to the fruit ripening slowly, leading to it fresh features.

This Secastilla Garnacha exhibits nice cherry and black berry flavors, is wonderfully gentle mid-palate with distinct tannin and has a nice long finish.

The SRP is outside of the typical wines featured in Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week, but hunting around turned up some very nice prices on this wine. So, indeed, it fits as an affordable, attainable wine that’s well worth seeking out.

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster of Donna White Communications

This wine is imported by Gonzalez Byass.

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2013 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($20)

This Rioja from Beronia is produced with 95% Tempranillo, 4% Graciano (known as Morrastel in Languedoc) and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a. Carignan).

Being a ‘Reserva’ in Rioja means that this wine is required to be aged for at least one year in oak and then spend two years in the bottle before being sold. This Beronia Rioja Reserva spent 20 months in oak barrels with American staves and French caps.

In the Rioja region, the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja, ensures that these quality requirements are met.

While the nice fruit flavors of black cherry and blackberry are notable from the Tempranillo, the oak aging adds nuances of smokiness and vanilla. The Graciano adds tannin and colored, while the tiny splash of Mazuelo also adds tannin and a hint of acidity.

This is a really nice Rioja from Beronia that pairs well with red meats, game and roasts. When looking for a Rioja, keep your eyes out for a ‘Reserva.’ It’s well worth it! And, this Beronia Rioja Reserva is another fine example of a Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week that’s attainable and affordable. Cheers and Salud!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster of Donna White Communications

This wine is imported by Gonzalez Byass.

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2015 Beronia Crianza Rioja ($15)

The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy.

This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carignan).

The Tempranillo in this wine defines its structure. The Grenache provides more berry flavors and spices while adding to its wonderful aroma. Finally, the Carignan, even this wine’s 1%, adds acidity and an ever-so-slight hint of tannin.

With nice bright fruit on the nose, this wine immediately yields red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry. Its medium body allows the fruit flavors to shine though.

This wine’s label includes the word “crianza.” In case you are not familiar with this term, crianza indicates that wine has spent one year in oak barrels.

The oak aging was done in mixed barrels with American oak staves and French oak caps. This process added subtle spice flavors and yielded low tannin. This makes for a easy finish with each sip.

This is a very nice wine that can pair with lighter fare and also stands up nicely with bigger-flavored foods.

As with all wines featured as a Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week, it’s very affordable and easily attainable. Enjoy! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster of Donna White Communications

This wine is imported by Gonzalez Byass.

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2015 1000 Stories Zinfandel ($18)

I’ve had my eyes on this one for a while now. It differentiates itself by noting on the front label that it is “Bourbon Barrel Aged.” Aging wines in oak barrels is common, but I’ve not seen a wine aged in Bourbon barrels.

So, I was actually a bit hesitant. I’m not into gimmicky wines. And, I certainly don’t need a Bourbon-flavored wine.

This 1000 Stories Zinfandel is aged in new and used Bourbon barrels. But, don’t let that dissuade you. The barrels do not impart a big or smoky flavor. Actually, I found this Zinfandel on the fruity side.

So, the back label states that the Bourbon barrels impart “…charred vanilla, dried herbs and a hint of caramel.” Just what you’d expect from an oak barrel.

If the “Bourbon Barrel Aged” 1000 Stories Zinfandel has not been on your list, give it a try. It’s a worthy Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week with its attainability and affordability. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week

2015 Z. Alexander Brown Uncaged Pinot Noir ($12)

This Pinot Noir sources its grapes from Monterey County, Napa County and Sonoma County. Not a bad set of sites for growing Pinot Noir!

The back label states "...wines that offer big and bold flavors, yet finish with uncommon finesse."

It's not often that I pay much attention to the back label other than to really see where the wine is from and who makes it, but I have to agree with this one.

This Pinot has nice cranberry and wild cherry flavors, as you would expect from a California Pinot, and it has a delicate finish.

At the price, it's exactly what I'm looking for in a wine to feature on Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week . Hope you enjoy it too! Cheers!