June 2024 4th Week Delectable Reviews
We spent most of the week in Minneapolis, MN for my daughter's gymnastics competition and a bit of a vacation. I brought some nice wines to try. (Please view the newsletter in a web browser to see the Delectable links.)
Recommended Pairing: Gambas al Ajillo
This white Priorat was the surprise hit of the trip - a refreshingly fascinating wine.
Recommended Pairing: Christian Petroni Deep-Dish Sicilian Pizza
I read a lot about this producer in wine magazines and online sources - it was great to try the wine though before the price continues to creep higher.
Recommended Pairing: Steak au Poivre
I didn't expect this Napa Cab to show as well as it did. Another 5 years of bottle age would be really interesting but this 2019 is drinking well now.
Recommended Pairing: Spring Green Herbal Ranch Salad
Grüner Veltliner continues to fly below the radar despite offering high QPR, complexity and food-friendliness. It can also pair well with asparagus which can be difficult to match to wine otherwise.
Recommended Pairing: Ridged Potato Chips
Costco has some of the best deals on the value-end of the Champagne spectrum. Yes, the real stuff is quite a bit pricier than Cava or Prosecco but it's just a different level of sparkling wine experience.
Honestly I was expecting this wine to hold up better but this was bought from the winery cellar and it was from the previous owner and winemaker and it seems to have gotten tired with age. The new winemaker at this producer has increased the quality and so this bottle isn't reflective of her skill.
Recommended Pairing: Garlic Herb Lamb Burgers
Rioja represents one of the best values for aged red wines. They're also excellent to pair with food. In fact, I think a good Rioja is better with a steak than most Napa Cabs as they usually have more acidity to cut through the fat and rich sauces with laid-back fruit. The earthy complexity also works nicely with lamb.