5:17 AM

Writing about About Wine was indeed a spontaneous decision on my part. I solemnly hope that this was a wise decision that I had made.

Wine Products we recommend

Fabulae Barbera d`Alba -

About 50% of Piemonte's redwine production is in the Barbera grape. In the past, these wines have been seen as rustic, light, fruity wines, but recent trends are to making fuller wines with oak aging to add complexity. This 1999 Fabulae Barbera is from the Alba region of Piemonte and is designated "barricato" ... indicating storage in small oak barriques. Only a small percentage of Barbera is suitable for such treatment and they are considered the equals of the famous Nebbiolo-grape wines of Barbaresco and Barolo. A smooth and flavorful Barbera from Giribaldi with lush vanilla notes. Surprise your friends with this dry red Italian wine. You can buy it online! BRDW99 BRDW99

Price: 44.99 USD

European Delight Standard

International gift basket extravagance inspired the creation of this cultivated beauty. The list of tantalizing delectables included is endless. Lobster Pate, Wine Biscuits, Wheat Crackers, Water Crackers, Gourmet Coffee, Garlic Foccoccia, Garlic Bruschetta, Brie Cheese, Camembert Cheese, Assorted Sausage, Bistro Dip and Assorted Gourmet Tea are sure to charm your European inklings and tastes. Satiate your sweet tooth with Chocolate Spoons, Honey Twisty Graham and Carmel Sauce, and of course, the four magnificent European wines: the Kaisergaten Zweigelt Trocken, European Cuvee White, Mosel Riesling Kabinett, and Merlot QBA Trocken. All elegantly placed into a handcrafted wooden basket, this is a wine gift of international verve! EDB04 EDB04S

Price: 149.95 USD

European Delight Premium

For many people Spanish wine either means cava - their excellent local sparkling wine made by the same traditional method as the finest champagnes or Rioja, the famous red full of ripe fruit flavours and delicious creamy vanilla.

The name itself refers to wines grown in the Rioja region of North Eastern Spain which is near the River (or Rio) Oja, hence the name. Few other wines get the same exposure as the Riojas so it is easy to forget the number of other great Spanish wines that there are available, which is not surprising really as Spain has the highest acreage under vine in the world and consequently a number of very different and very interesting wine regions.

One of the main selling points of Rioja wines are their consistent high quality. It is probably a testament to the Rioja Regulatory Council that the quality control is generally so good that people know if they spend $13 or $14 on a bottle that they are pretty much guaranteed a good one.

Rioja wines are made from the Tempranillo grape, which is sometimes supplemented with Garnacha, Graciano, or Mazuelo and the actual wine is divided into four main categories based on whole long the wine is aged for.

After the most basic version of the wine, simply called Rioja, the categories are as follows :

Crianza : Spends at least one year in oak and several months in the bottle.

Reserva : These wines are aged for a minimum total of three years which includes at least one year in oak.

Gran Reserva : Aged for at least five years with a minimum of two years in oak and three in the bottle.

And despite these old classifications of the wine, Rioja is adapting to the impact and competition of New World wines from places such as Chile and Australia.

The vineyards are aware of the demands of the younger customer - newer wine drinkers who prefer more fruit driven wines with less oak anf higher levels of alcohol.

The other main competition to Rioja wines are from vineyards in other parts of Spain itself. Areas such as La Mancha, Toro and Jumilla are fast making reputations for themselves for wines in the Rioja style but without the price tag.

La Mancha however has a little bit of an image problem to address due to in the past churning out high volumes of lower quality wine which spoiled its reputation.

Nowadays however you can pick up some excellent Rioja quality wines from the region for under $13 and even blind taste tests cannot pick out the true Rioja from some of the newer Spanish vineyards.

One of the best qualities of Rioja wines is that they tend to taste just as good at home as they do when drunk in Spain in summertime with tapas on a terrace, so drinking often leads to pleasurable associations and memories.

Indeed Rioja goes brilliantly with all types of food, while also tasting just as good on its own as a treat in the early evening.

If you like your wine smooth and fruity with creamy vanilla oak flavours then Rioja could be the wine you are looking for. Give it a try instead of your usual wine this month you will not be disappointed.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fraser Neilson is webmaster at www.FairWine.com and a graduate of the Wines and Spirits Education Trust. You can find some great wine resources and special offers to help improve your enjoyment over at www.FairWine.com/resources.html.

Thoughts about Wine

Argentina Wines Are Closing In On #1

Argentina is the fifth largest producer of wines in the world, but apparently this South American country is gearing up for a first place finish! With...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Old Wine in New Bottle

We're a family of wine drinkers. Anyone who really knows us, and the fact that we are absolutely not corruptible (ahem!) will also know that at a pinc...

Click Here to Read More About Wine ...

Varietal Wine

Labels: Red Wines