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Tuesday Night is Hat Night
Me and my Dad celebrating Hat Night at Ceviche in Clearwater.
About 3 years ago Tuesday nights were established as a date night with my Dad, also referred to as Hat Night. Thanks to our slight obsession with hats (not to be confused with caps) we decided one night out of the week was needed to explore fine wine, scrumptious food, and show off our hat collection in the greater Tampa Bay area. Last night my Dad and I ventured out to the new Ceviche in Clearwater on Gulf to Bay. We were taken back by the Latin acoustic rhythms of Sombras Flamencas, the table top covered with delicious tapas from the $4 Tapas Tuesday menu, and the perfect summer rosé.
2009 Muga Rosado (Rioja, Spain) $11.99
(60% garnacha, 30% viura and 10% tempranillo) Vivid pink. Complex, highly aromatic bouquet of pink grapefruit, strawberry, rhubarb and white flowers, with a strong mineral undertone. Bright, racy red berry flavors are given a tangy edge by citrus zest and white pepper, with the mineral quality adding lift and cut. Finishes suave, spicy and long, with excellent thrust. (Fine Estates from Spain Dedham MA) 90 points Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, Jul 10, 2010
2005 Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Crianza (Rioja, Spain)
2005 Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo Crianza
Quality Rioja, well aged, at a remarkable price. Ripe, rich and thick with cherry plum jam and grown-up edges of tobacco, chocolate, smoke and oak. Fire up the grill and sit back.
‘This plush, modern red frames black cherry jam flavors with tobacco and dark chocolate notes. Thick and juicy, with well-integrated tannins and a clean finish. Drink now through 2010.” 88 points – Wine Spectator, June 30, 2008
“For a large-production Rioja, this sings the proper notes and should please almost anyone with a taste for Spanish red wines. It’s violet in color, indicating good ripeness. The nose is concentrated and likable, with solid berry and plum fruit to back it up. Round, pleasant and with a touch of oaky vanilla on the finish. Drink now.” 88 points – Wine Enthusiast, August 1, 2008
The most popular Spanish Wine in America
The 2006 Muga Reserva has just arrived and is smokin! Whenever there is a vintage change one always wonders how good the new vintage will be. Well the 2006 (91WA) is even better than the 2005 (90WA) that was a best seller. Here is what Jay Miller of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate had to say about the Muga Reserva:
2006 Bodegas Muga Reserva (Rioja) 21.99
“Muga’s red wines begin with the 2006 Muga Reserva, a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Garnacha, with the balance Mazuelo and Graciano. It was aged for 6 months in wooden vats before spending 2 years in 60% new French and American oak. Purple-colored with an already complex bouquet of pain grille, mineral, violets, black cherry, and blackberry, on the palate it is smooth-textured, layered, and concentrated. It conceals enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years and will offer optimal drinking from 2012 to 2026. It is an excellent value in serious Rioja.”
91 Points, Jay Miller for Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate #188, April 2010.
Did you know Muga Reserva is the most popular Spanish Wine in America?
The April issue of the American magazine Wine & Spirits publishes a survey carried out among the best restaurants in the USA that places Muga first on the list of the most recognized wines by the American wine drinkers.
It comes in 375ml bottles (11.99) too!
- Summer Martin, B-21′s Spain Advocate
Get vibrant June 12: Rediscover Rioja
FREE RIOJA TASTING AT B-21 THIS SATURDAY FROM 1PM TO 5PM! COME ONE COME ALL!
While Spain explodes with exciting new wines almost everywhere, quality is nothing new in Rioja.
You can get a fresh taste of Spain’s historic vineyards at B-21’s free tasting next Saturday, June 12.
(You did know that we have free tastings every Saturday in addition to our Very Big Deal affairs like the Grand Italian Tasting on Sunday, June 13).
The June 12 Spanish tasting promises a fun re-education for anyone whose only memories of Rioja were cheap dusty, wooden drinks of 20 years ago. Today’s Rioja is brighter and yet still rich with classic tradition. It’s a beautiful region, along the river through northeast Spain, south of Bilbao and one mountain range away from Bordeaux.
Come explore it Saturday. If you can’t make it, B-21 has a deep cellar of great Rioja labels old and new like Bodegas Muga, Pujanza, Remirez de Ganuza and Finca Allende.
You say Rioja, I say tell me when and where
2006 Campo Viejo Crianza Tempranillo (Rioja)
Last week, some friends from Rioja gave me a challenge to drink Rioja on Memorial Day. I’m always up for a challenge! Yesterday, as many of you probably did, I had a wonderful cookout with family and friends. Along with my great grandma’s burger recipie and the all-American hot dogs, I broke open a bottle of the 2006 Campo Viejo Crianza from Rioja ($7.99). I’d say it was the best $8 bucks I’ve spent in the last month. It was delicious and held its own next to our giant burgers!
A few weeks ago I had the fortunate opportunity of attending the Vibrant Rioja Trade Tasting in New York City showcasing over 300 wines from 60+ wineries. As my favorite female comic, Chelsea Lately would say, “What <dramatic pause> a Whirlwind!”
Upon arriving on the 1st day I ate lunch at The Modern, where wine trade and press were introduced to some great new Rioja wines and tasted some favorites like the 2006 Bodegas Bilbainas Viña Zaco ($11.99).
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- Canpo Viejo’s Export Director Virginia and I with my new fav value
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- Vibrant Rioja Seminar
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- Enjoying Rioja with Leslie Sbrocco
The 2nd day kicked off with a Rioja seminar hosted by Leslie Sbrocco, an award-winning author, writer, speaker, wine consultant and TV host and owner of “BeAThirstyGirl.com”. Leslie led a very interesting and entertaining discussion with a panel of Rioja Winemakers and export directors, all of which may I add were women! (I love how much women are now in the frontlines of the wineworld!) The grand tasting in the afternoon, like the seminar, was also focused on Rioja values like the 2006 Campo Viejo Crianza ($7.99) that I enjoyed on Memorial Day.
I took on the test and drank Rioja on Memorial Day. Now I challenge you to take the test and drink Rioja this month. Plus I am throwing in free shipping on any Rioja in stock through June to sweeten the deal!! (That’s free shipping on any Rioja wine, no minimum!)
- Summer Martin, B-21′s Spain Advocate
Hot off the Press! Spain continues to soar!
2007 Clos Erasmus ($179.99) 98 Points, Wine Advocate
Robert Parker just released his always anticipated issue of The Wine Advocate. Spain continues to soar and as Jay Miller puts it, “Let the Good Times Roll!” Very happy to see that the 2007 wines by Clos Erasmus rated as high as expected. The 2007 Clos Erasmus (98WA) $179.99 – 750ml, $449.99 – 1.5L and the 2007 Laurel $49.99 received a whopping 94 points (hurry up, only a few bottles remain in inventory of this one!)
Some more highlights:
- 2008 Emilio Moro Resalso 90WA $11.99
- 2008 Borsao Tres Picos 91WA $13.99
- 2007 Juan Gil 90WA $14.99
- 2007 Alto Moncayo Veraton 92WA $24.99
- 2007 Alto Moncayo 94WA $39.99
- 2006 Numanthia 94+WA $49.99
These are just a few of the highlights. Also 2009 is supposed to be an amazing vintage in Spain for whites according to Jay… so keep an eye out!
Cheers,
Summer Martin, B-21′s Spain & Portugal Advocate
2006 Viña Zaco (Rioja, Spain)
2006 Viña Zaco (Rioja, Spain) $11.99 90 Points from Wine Spectator and a Top 100 Wine of 2009
“Bodegas Bilbanias in Rioja takes a very similar approach to making wine as Emilio Moro in Ribera del Duero in the fact that they don’t label wines Crianza or Reserva because they spend “x” amount of time in barrel. Rather, they release the wine when they feel the wine is ready, be it 11 months or 18 months, in true artisan style. They are the rebels of Rioja going against the system, and it seems to be paying off. Their 2006 Vina Zaco made it into the Top 100 Wines of 2009 by the Wine Spectator with a whopping 90 point score, and I figured it was time I gave this wine a chance, so I popped a bottle. True Tempranillo in style with great fruit, beautiful blackberry and hints of licorice. The more it sat in the glass it really opened up showing hints of vanilla, a touch of spice, and ended with nice tannins. Top 100 or not…that’s for Spectator choose, but for me it definitely deserves a place on my wine rack, and so it has one. For a Rioja under $12, you can’t beat it.”