Good news Utah, we’ve recently added some great new wines, all of which are easy on the wallet, as well as the palate! All the wines are available at the Wine Store on 280 West, Harris Ave. (1605 South) in Salt Lake, with more stores adding the wines to their inventory soon. The first two are both fantastic red wines from Bordeaux- the 2010 Chateau du Juge (#918196 – $11.99 Retail), which shows wonderful red fruits, cassis, and is well balanced with velvety tannins. The second, the Chateau Blouin (#918197 – $10.65), which definitely over delivers for the price- fresh red fruit, soft tannins, and a more “modern” approach to Bordelais winemaking- this is a perfect everyday wine!

The next wine is quite interesting, as it’s the only wine in state produced in Morocco! (yes, you read that correctly). The 2009 Alain Graillot Domaine Ouleb Thaleb “Syrocco,” (#918195 – $19.99 Retail) is a unique and attractive 100% Syrah from the hot, dry region of Zenata. Well balanced and definitely produced in the French style, this is definitely a wine for my fellow wine geeks. Alain Graillot is a legend in Crozes-Hermitage where he produces robust Syrah-based wines, and he definitely keeps that mentality with this side project in Morocco. So, if you love Northern Rhone wines, this will be right up your alley as well!

Last, but certainly not least, is my good friend Oscar Quevedo’s personal project- the 2010 Oscar’s Douro White wine (#918182 – $9.95 Retail). Again filling a void here in Utah, its the only white wine listed from the Douro Valley in Portugal. This is a great summer wine to bring along to picnics and outdoor concerts, offering melon and apple flavors, with great acidity and structure, with a hint of vanilla- delicious!!

I think everyone will appreciate at least one of these wines, so please try them and let me know what you think!

In other news, I’ll be at Zucca Trattoria in South Ogden this Saturday, March 31st for a “Traveling Menu” from Spain. Chef Elio Scanu will be making delicious tapas, and I’ll be there pouring wines from several different regions in Spain. The event starts at 3 PM, and is a very fun, casual way to try some new wines and sample Chef Scanu’s amazing culinary treats, so I hope to see many of you there! Please call Zucca to RSVP for this event

THE TRAVELING MENU 

Tapas, Pintxos & The Wines of Spain

A Culinary Adventure, Learn about Spain’s Wines and The Art of the Tapa..Spain’s Street Food Culinary Class!!!

With Michael Grisley of P.R.Grisley Co., Importer of Fine Wines

 Saturday, March 31^st, 2012

3:00 pm

Menu

Mussel, Tomato, Olive, Crispy Capers, Paprika

Raventos i Blanc L’ Hereu Cava (Blend of Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeo, D.O. Cava/Penedes)

Montadito of grilled octopus, arugula pesto, smoked paprika, infused arbequina olive oil

Coto de Gomariz Blanco (Blend of Treixadura, Godello and Albarino, D.O. Riberio, Galicia)

Montadito of Serrano Ham Wrapped Shrimp, Crispy Garlic

Bodegas Naia (100% Verdejo, D.O. Rueda)

Pintxo of Paprika Beef  with Manchego & Sherry Pickled Onion

Bodegas Miguel Angel Muro Crianza (100% Tempranillo, D.O.Ca. Rioja)

Pintxo of Pork Belly Adobo, Xeres Vinegar & Bay Leave

Bodegas Atteca (100% Garnacha, D.O. Calatayud)

Chupito of Pears, Marmelade “Pearls” & Chocolate Sauce

Sherry, Emilio Lustau

Food $ 28.00 – Wines $ 32.00

Exclusive of Tax or Gratuity

Just in time for Christmas, EDMwines.com is offering free shipping when you purchase a 12 pack case of 2008 Oscar’s Douro Red. This is a perfect rustic wine for all your holiday feasts and parties, not to mention a great price ($13.90/bottle) after you’ve burned a hole in your pocket buying all those presents. So, buy yourself a present, or split a case with friends!

Here is what Roger Voss from The Wine Enthusiast said about Oscar’s;

Oscar Quevedo, a new star of the Douro, has produced a stylish wine, suffused with tannins, fresh acidity, solid black fruits and a lively bright feel. It is ready to drink, but could age 3–4 years. (11/1/2010) – 88 POINTS

To order online click here, and don’t forget to use the code “NO SHIPPING” at the checkout page!!

Hello all!

I’m excited to announce that our good friend Oscar Quevedo from Quevedo Port Wine will be here in the U.S and Canada next week for some very special events! Events will be held in Toronto, Los Angeles, and I’ll be joining Oscar for the event in San Francisco.

Oscar will be traveling here to attend the screenings of a wonderful documentary by Zev Robinson, “Life on the Douro.”  Zev is a skilled documentary producer, and his latest effort features the world famous Douro Valley from Portugal. There are several dates & locations for the screenings, which will also include a Q&A session with Oscar, as well as Roy Hersh from “For The Love of Port.” , considered one of the leading Port wine and Madeira authorities and journalists in the United States. There will also be a tasting session after the documentary, with some of the best ports and still wines from the Douro Valley, which will include several Quevedo items.

To learn more about the documentary and the screening dates, as well as to purchase tickets for screenings, please visit ZevRobinson.com!

Cheers,

Michael

After winning the best white wine in all of Spain by El Mundo last year for their 2009 Colleita Seleccionada, it seems Coto de Gomariz isn’t slowing down anytime soon. This year, Coto de Gomariz was honored by the Xunta de Galicia for producing the best white wine in all of D.O. Ribeiro in their annual “Best Wines of Galicia” report. Their Ribeiro blanco, which received the gold medal, is produced from the native varieties Treixadura (80%), Godello (10%) and Loureira (5%) and Albariño (5%). It’s a complex white wine with wonderful citrus aromas, green apple notes and herbs, and wonderful minerality. Its wonderful orchard fruit and bitter citrus flavors on the palate are powerful enough to pair with thick cream or butter sauces, but is also delicious on its own!  If you’d like to taste this wonderful wine, it is available for purchase online at Flickingerwines.com.

Congratulations to Sebio, Ricardo, Inma and the rest of the Coto de Gomariz team for another great nomination-keep up the good work!!

- Michael

I’m excited to announce that the wines from Coto de Gomariz will be available to taste on Tuesday June 21st in Chicago. I was just recently in Spain visiting with the Coto de Gomariz team and tasting the new vintages, which you will definitely not want to miss! 2010 was an excellent year in D.O. Ribeiro, and the wines show amazing freshness and crisp minerality which is perfect for the summer. Often overshadowed by its neighbor in Rias Baixes, the wines of D.O. Ribeiro bring a different style of elegance and character, primarily using the native Treixadura grape instead of Albariño. So, if you’ve never had the opportunity to try a wine from Ribeiro or the Treixadura variety, please come by and visit us to try some of the best wines from Spain!

If you live in Chicago but won’t be able to attend the event andare still interested in trying these amazing wines, they are for sale at several Chicago area wine stores including In Fine Spirits (5418 N. Clark)  and House Red (7403 W. Madison in Forest Park). Also, if you live outside of Illinois, the Coto de Gomariz Blanco is available online through Flickinger Wines.

If you have any questions about the event and to RSVP, please call 312-329-3910, or email RibeiroDO@ruderfinn.com

I’ll be attending the event to answer any questions you may have about the region, wines, or anything else- I look forward to seeing you!

Salud

- Michael

Just a quick update for all the Pennsylvania residents out there looking for some great new wines for summer! We’ve recently added many new fantastic items to our portfolio in Pennsylvania, all of which are in stores now. We’re excited to announce that we’ve begun working with the following producers;

- C.V.N.E. (or Cune here in the U.S.), one of the most famous producers in all of Rioja which formed in 1879 in Haro. We’re very excited to offer you many of their finest wines;

2009 Cune Blanco $14.99, PLCB#17712

2010 Cune Monopole Blanco $14.99, PLCB#18165

2006 Cune Reserva $26.99, PLCB#18164

2007 Cune Viña Real Crianza $19.99, PLCB#17710

2004 Cune Viña Real Reserva $29.99, PLCB#18178

2001 Cune Viña Real Gran Reserva $43.99, PLCB#18169

2004 Cune Imperial Reserva $49.99, PLCB#18177

1999 Cune Imperial Gran Reserva $59.99, PLCB#18162

2005 Cune Contino Reserva $49.99, PLCB#18173

2006 Cune Contino Graciano $149.99, PLCB#24987

2007 Cune Contino Viña de Olivo $142.99, PLCB#18175

- Raventos I Blanc, one of the founding Cava houses from Sant Sadurni de Anoia, Spain. They Raventos family has owned the estate since 1497, and produced their first Cava in 1872! We selected two wines from Raventos that we hope you enjoy- the 2007 d’ Nit Rose Cava ($21.99 PLCB#17708) and the 2010 Perfum de Vi Blanc still wine from D.O. Penedes ($15.99, PLCB#17713).

- Doniene Gorrondona, located in Bakio on the northern coast of Spain. Doniene produces some of the best Txakoli wines in all of Spain and are perfect for the upcoming heat of summer! (2009 Doniene Gorrondona Txakolina $20.99, PLCB#17707).

- Mas Foraster, a beautiful winery located in the often looked over region of D.O. Conca de Barbera, located in Montblanc Spain. The Josep Foraster Trepat is a wonderfully clean, crisp and light bodied wine made from the indiginous grape Trepat. Fans of Washington State Pinot Noir will love this wine! (2009 Josep Foraster Trepat $20.99, PLCB#17709).

- Quevedo, an incredible port wine producer located in the heart of the Douro Valley in Portugal. They produce outstanding port wines, as well as a wonderful Douro still red wine, Oscar’s Wine which is an incredibly delicious wine at an incredible price! (2008 Oscar’s Douro Red $10.99, PLCB #17711, Quevedo White Port $12.99, PLCB#10103, Quevedo Special Reserve Tawny Port, $19.99, PLCB# 10305, 2007 Quevedo Vintage Port $51.99, PLCB#14560).

Information for these wines, along with our entire portfolio, can be downloaded from our website here.

We hope many of you will try these new wines this summer and let us know what you think! We welcome  and look forward to hearing any feedback fro mall of you!

Cheers,

Michael & Peter Grisley

In conjunction with all the wonderful wine bloggers out there, this is my installment of Wine Blog Wednesday! As this Wednesday’s focus is all about Spain, I figured I would introduce you to one of my favorite producers we are fortunate enough to work with, Coto de Gomariz. While I’ve written about them quite a bit, it’s mostly for their amazing white wines that have garnered some knockout attention. However, today I want to introduce you to the relatively unknown and highly underrated red wines they are producing in D.O. Ribeiro.

D.O. Riberio is located in Galicia, northwestern Spain, where it sits on the border with Portugal. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful part of Spain, with lush green valleys and wideflowing rivers dominating the landscape. It seems more similar to images from Ireland than it does to the blazingly hot plains of central Spain that I’m sure many people imagine the entire country to be -The people are of Celtic origin so I guess the similarity to Ireland isn’t such a far off concept to grasp. However, once you get past the similarities in culture and landscape, you realize this is a world apart from Ireland, and interestingly enough, Spain. Fiercely independent, the people of Galicia speak their own language (Galego) and have maintained their way of life, isolated in the northwestern pocket of Spain for centuries. This isolation and pride of their Galego way of life is one of the major factors in why there are so many different grape varieties grown in this region.

Historically, when the Moors occupied Spain, they ripped up vines for religious purposes, but as the Galegos were so isolated, the Moors never managed to gain control of that part of Spain, saving the indigenous varieties. Unfortunately, when the dictator Francisco Franco took complete control of Spain in 1947, he made it his mission to stamp out any autonomous communities throughout Spain, including the Galegos. He made their languages, customs, and basically their entire way of life illegal. He also began ripping up native vines all over Spain to plant grains, cereals, and bulk producing grape varieties. Galicia’s native vines were hard hit during this period, and an undocumented amount of native vines have since vanished from the region. However, some vines managed to survive being ripped up, and today are seeing a resurgence as more and more producers in the region are making it their mission to restore and use their native grapes for both white and red wines.

On that note, the wine I chose for today’s Wine Blog Wednesday utilizes several of the regions indiginous red varieties; Sousón, Ferrón, Brancellao, Caiño, Mencia and Carabuñeira, to name a few red varieties. The wine, Coto de Gomariz’s VX Cuvée Caco, is a blend of Sousón, Caiño, Garnacha Tintorera and Carabuñeira, which is known as Touriga Nacional in Portugal. The wine is ruby red in color, with spicy red berry and cherry notes on the nose. The berry and cherry notes are also all over the palate, with a definite dollop of smoky oak, but it’s well integrated and dominated the other flavors.  The finish has wonderful mineral elements to it (due to the schist soil dominating the region I imagine) and a beautiful spiced quality rounding out this unique wine. Fans of oak probably won’t find this wine their cup of tea, but they definitely won’t dislike it either- it’s a very unique wine that will pair well with all types of cuisine, from a great steak or burger, to a thick cut pork chop. On my last visit to Galicia, we even had this slightly chilled  with some grilled pulpo (octopus) that was one of the more memorable pairings I’ve had. The charred taste from the pulpo went perfectly with the smoky oak hints in the wine!

Unfortunately, the red wines from Galicia are still a tough sell here in the US, with most wines imported from the region being Mencia based wines from Bierzo. However, if you are are lucky enough to live in Pennsylvania, the VX Cuvée Caco, as well as the entire line up of Coto de Gomariz wines are available through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Here’s to exploring new wines and regions!

Cheers,

Michael

El Mundo, Spain’s largest and most popular news source, has recently announced their top Spanish Wines of 2010 through their wine division, elmundovino.com. Since 1994, El Mundo and Elmundovino.com have tasted thousands of wines every year in search of the best wines in Spain- quite a daunting task if you ask me! On January 15th of this year, El Mundo and Elmundovino.com announced their selections for the top three Spanish wines of 2010, and on that list was none other than a wine from Coto de Gomariz, a producer we have been working with for several years now. Coto de Gomariz has been incredibly dynamic in pushing themselves every year to achieve the highest quality possible – something that we have seen year after year when we are fortunate to taste their latest vintage. It seems all this hard work and dedication has been recognized within Spain as well, as their 2008 Colleita Seleccionada was selected alongside the world famous producer Vega Sicilia, as one of the top three wines of 2010. Now, any of the Spanish wine geeks reading this right now will understand the importance of being on a list with Vega Sicilia, the winery that basically put Spanish wines on the map. To put in perspective, this would be similar to a small, young, unknown winery in an unknown region of the US being on a “best of” wine list right next to Opus I or Caymus Special Selection- quite a great honor and validation for a young producer!

It is huge honor for any Spanish producer to be selected as one of the top three wines from Spain. The wines were selected by Spanish wine drinkers (who understands Spanish wine better than a Spaniard?) and without a mention of a score, which I love. The wines were selected because, simply, they were the best wines and there isn’t any need to provide a number to justify why it was selected.

Here is the link to the article published on elmundovino.com in its entirety (sorry, Spanish only), but here are several important paragraphs which have been translated;

“Since 1994, El Mundo and elmundovino.com have selected the best wines tasted throughout the year and that were in the market that same year: therefore this time we will not reward two immense riojas of the legendary crop of 1947, Imperial and Marquis de Riscal, that we have had the privilege of trying again during the last several months. But the supreme elegance of those two wines that inspires, in great measure, the prizes to the best of 2010. These reflect a tendency increasingly more palpable among ours best producers, in all regions, to the refinement and also to the rediscovery of the soil, after years of wines of great power and concentration.  And particularly it is appropriated, in that context, to see the name of Vega Sicilia among the prizewinners.

In effect, our Wines of 2010 are Vega Sicilia Unico 2000, Coto de Gomariz Colleita Seleccionada 2008 and Turo d’en Mota de Recaredo Brut Nature 1999. The most historic bodega from Ribera del Duero, a young, small wine making property but in a region no less historic, and an atypical, family owned property in the world of Cava.

For their part, the Coto de Gomariz Colleita Seleccionada 2008 is one of the best best Gallego white’s that we have tried, with a depth born in the great soil, a complexity without a doubt favored by its multi-varietal character – treixadura, godello, albarino, loureiro and lado-, that is one of the great strengths from Ribeiro, and with the personality that Xose Lois Sebio instills in his wines. It is a white that arrives where we always thought Ribeiro wines could arrive, recovering the place that this region occupied during the Renaissance which was being lost throughout the centuries and –above all- with Phylloxera. Better late than never.”

We couldn’t be happy for Ricardo, Xose and the entire Coto de Gomariz team!! This is a great honor- keep up the good work.

Enbuenahora chicos!!

Michael

All you Portuguese wine lovers will be happy to know that the 2008 Oscar’s Douro red is now available online through Esprit du Monde! Many of you might be familiar with Quevedo and it’s line up of wonderful port wines, but this is Oscar Quevedo’s personal project to create a fun, delicious, Douro red still wine. The wine recently received a great review from Roger Voss at the Wine Enthusiast;

“Oscar Quevedo, a new star of the Douro, has produced a stylish wine, suffused with tannins, fresh acidity, solid black fruits and a lively bright feel. It is ready to drink, but could age 3–4 years.” – Roger Voss (11/1/2010) – 88 POINTS

Please click here to learn more about the project, interact with Oscar through his blog, as well as leave your own comments for Oscar!

Drink up!

Cheers,

Michael

We’re excited to announce a P.R. Grisley Co. exclusive wine pairing dinner at Iron Chef Jose Garces‘ Chicago restaurant, Mercat. If you follow Food Network as much as I do, you are well aware of how Chef Garces has exploded onto the restaurant scene in the past few years, with seven different restaurants currently enjoying success. We are lucky enough to have eaten at several of Chef Garces’ restaurants in Philadelphia, as well as Mercat in Chicago, and each time the experience and food has been incredible. Needless to say, we’re VERY honored to be able to share the spotlight with Mercat’s chef de cuisine, Michael Fiorello, and feel he has put together an exciting menu that will surely pair well with the Spanish and Portuguese wines we will be featuring.

An Evening in Spain…

Presented by

Mercat’s Chef de Cuisine, Michael Fiorello & P.R. Grisley Company

Thursday, November 18^th, 2010

Reception 6pm-7pm

N/V Chozas Carrascal Cava – D.O. Cava, Utiel-Requena, Spain (Macabeo, Chardonnay)

2009 Quinta de Gomariz Espadeiro – DOC Vinho Verde, Portugal (100% Espadeiro)

Dinner 7pm

First Course

Fetge de Pollastre en una Olla

Potted Chicken Liver Mousse with Caraway-Onion Jam and Foie Gras

2008 Coto de Gomariz Blanco-  D.O. Riberio, Spain (Treixadura, Godello)

Second Course

Montadito de Atún

Sous Vide Blue Fin Tuna, Caper-Olive Oil Jam &  Spicy Red Cabbage

2006 Bodegas Ondalan Crianza – DOC Rioja, Spain (80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano)

Third Course

Mar I Muntanya

24-Hour Pork Belly with Charred Baby Octopus,

Marcona Almonds & Smoked Green Olive Escabeche

2006 Bodegas Miguel Angel Muro Bujanda Cianza – DOC Rioja, Spain (100% Tempranillo)

Fourth Course

Pato con Peras

Grilled Muscovy Duck Breast, La Peral, Red Wine Seckel Pears & Confit leg Crêpe

2005 Bodegas Ondalan 100 Abades – DOC Rioja, Spain (100% Graciano)

Fifth Course

Butifarra con Judias

House Smoked Catalan Lamb Sausage with Ham Hock-Tomato Stew & Black Eyed Peas

2005 Bodegas Medrano Irazu Reserva – DOC Rioja, Spain (100% Tempranillo)

Dessert

Pastel de Calabaza

Pumpkin-Brown Butter Cake, Hazelnut Escabeche, Rosemary-Olive Oil Ice Cream

Porto Quevedo, N/V Special Reserve Tawny – DOC Oporto, Portugal (Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca)

$75 per person, non-inclusive of tax or gratuity

Reservations are Required

312.765.0524

www.mercatchicago.com

Please call or visit the Mercat website to reserve your seat today- We look forward to seeing you there and sharing a wonderful evening with amazing food, wine and friends!

Cheers,

Michael