Matching Spicy Foods with Wines

Spicy foods such as Mexican, Indian or Thai are so delicious, but finding a wine to match these is sometimes a challenge, especially if you prefer to drink mostly Chardonnay (dry oaky whites) or your typical Napa red (a tannic powerbomb), which are not exactly the best pairings. The problem is that heat clashes with oak, making your wines dryer and harsher, and tannins amplify your perception of heat and spice.  Alcohol,on the other hand, enhances the spiciness, increasing the heat even further, so stay away from that. I guess your best bet for spicy foods is to choose wines with relatively low alcohol, fruity or very aromatic, with some acidity to cleanse the palate, and ideally with some sweetness to counteract the heat by toning it down.

Some of the best matches for spicy foods are German Rieslings, normally low in alcohol, these wines are very refreshing and if you see the words Spätlese or Auslese on the labels that means they also have much desired sweetness. Alsatian, Italian or German Gewürztraminer are also a good choice, but keep in mind that Alsatian samples have a bit more alcohol than German and Italian ones. Other good choices are floral wines such as Greek Moschofilero, Argentinian Torrontés, or Alsatian Muscat; these have plenty of fruity aromas, but are also light and refreshing. If you can’t find those, an Albariño from Spain or Austrian Grüner Veltliner could also work. If you prefer to drink rosé, fruity versions are best, such as those from the new world. If you prefer a red, I would choose either something fruity or spicy, such as Beaujolais Nouveau or Villages, Barbera D’ Alba or Dolcetto, which have plenty of fruit and are usually light-bodied. Bubbles will be great with spicy foods, as they normally refresh your palate (this is why beer is often chosen as the perfect pairing for Mexican or Indian dishes), but I wouldn’t match spicy foods with dry Champagne or sparkling; as extra dryness will make spices harsher,  I would opt instead for something fruity or off-dry, such as a Moscato, a fruity Cava or Prosecco. Surprisingly, Apple Cider can be a great pairing too, the natural sweetness of apples can help balance spiciness. As always, remember to check the intensity of both your dish and wine, so that they always compliment each other and none overpowers the other.

My recommendations: all the samples chosen have a few common denominators: all are served chilled, they have low or no alcohol, plenty of fruit and some sweetness, making them ideal pairings for your spicy dishes.

Nik Weis St. Urbans-Hof Estate QbA Riesling from Old Vines 2022 $21.00
A 100% Riesling from 50 year old vines, estate grown in the Mosel, aka Riesling’s top territory in Germany. This focused, light bodied white is fermented with natural yeasts. Showing zippy acidity that multiplies the elegance in this refreshing and very floral off-dry wine, saturated with beautiful ripe peach and mango notes. The alcohol is on the low side at only 10% ABV.

Cava Paul Cheneau Brut Reserva, NV $15.99
A classic Cava blend of 40% Xarel·lo, 30% Macabeo, 25% Chardonnay and 5% Parellada, this floral and elegant Cava shows notes of ripe pineapple and gala apples, with citrusy grapefruit and a long, creamy finish. It was aged on its lees for 12 months.

Cavit Moscato 2022 $11.99
Made from Muscat grapes grown in the Pavia region, this slightly frizzante white, features intense aromas of rose, orange blossom and white peach. Light bodied and off dry, with a delicious and vibrant finish.

Duché de Longueville French Sparkling Cider $13
Growing up I drank a lot of Argentinean cider during the holidays, so I was excited to try one made in France. This cider is completely non-alcoholic and made with apples grown in the region of Normandy. On the palate it’s truly refined, artisanal and very refreshing, reminds me of the  fine ciders from Asturias, Spain.
Cheers! Silvina.

 #spicyfoods #winesforspicyfoods #thoughtsoflawina #winewednesday #drinkupamerica

Mencía, the grape you should be drinking now!

There’s nothing more boring than always drinking the same wine styles, especially when there are so many varieties to try. Something like Mencía, a grape with a fantastic flavor profile and a very affordable price. 

Originally from the Iberian Peninsula, two countries dispute the origins of this grape. On one side Mencía reigns in North Western Spain, where we can find some of the best samples, and more than 9,000 hectares of it, planted in the appellations of Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Monterrei and Valdeorras. Yet, DNA tests proved that Mencía is genetically similar to Portuguese Jaen, leading us to think that it may have been born in the Dão region of Portugal, instead. 

Known for its vibrant acidity and freshness, Mencía produces medium to medium plus everyday reds, much depending on where it’s planted. Hillside vineyards of Bierzo and Ribeira Sacra (in Spain), which are rich in slate and quartz, provide beefier wines with mineral notes than those from fruit planted on the flat lands with clay soils. Plus, complex samples of Mencía usually come from very old vines that are naturally low yielding, producing wines that have plenty of concentration. These plantings were rediscovered in the late 1990s and early 2000s by top producers such as Raúl Pérez and Alvaro Palacios (also known for producing wonderful wines in Priorat), both leading to a revival of Mencía in Spain.

Mencía is early budding and mid ripening, and it favors a mild continental climate of warm days with cool nights. In the cellar, producers opt to use carbonic maceration to keep its fruitiness and floral aromas, and to avoid excessive oak that may kill its fragrance. This is mostly above all, because Mencía wines are very aromatic and flavorful with delicious red fruit notes that include sour cherry, redcurrant, and pomegranate, as well as herbaceous notes of mint and thyme. Often compared with Pinot Noir, Mencía also transmits its terroir, so much that we can easily find notes of crushed gravel, graphite or chalk in its wines.

Stylistically, Mencía wines are spicy with supple structures but never a powerbomb themselves, exactly the type of red I could drink every night. Enjoy them when young, ideally within 5 years of release, while their wild red fruit is still fresh.  Pair them with charcuterie, but pasta, duck and veal dishes will pair wonderfully too!

My recommendations: 

First, a big thank you to Msgr Touton Selections for sending these wonderful samples. As I said earlier, the best samples of Mencía come from Spain and especially from the Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras appellations, so check your labels for those.

Flavium Selección Mencía 2021, D.O. Bierzo, $12.99

Very appealing red with a lovely nose of red currants, macerated cherries and plum, crunchy textured with grippy yet fine tannins.

Alvarez de Toledo Mencía Roble 2021, D.O. Bierzo, $13.99

Fresh and aromatic, showing sour cherry, pomegranate and bramble fruit, with herbal hints and very supple tannins.

Marqués de Montejos Single Vineyard Mencía 2020, VT Castilla y León  $13.99

Attractive with vivid fruit that include ripe raspberry and cranberry jam notes. Savory, with creamy tannins and a smoky long finish.

 

Hoping you will soon give Mencía a try ! Cheers, Silvina

 #mencia #thoughtsoflawina #winesfromspain #bierzo #winewednesday #drinkupamerica

In Pursuit of Love in Bottle: 5 to try this Valentine's Day!

Whether you are looking to treat your sweetheart or yourself, Valentine’s Day is a time to show your partner how much you care about them, but also a good opportunity to Wine indulge! Here are 5 recommendations that will surely impress your loved ones, besides being perfect pairings for any romantic meal.

Any Valentine’s should start with a fantastic sparkling wine, such as this Bichot Crémant Rosé NV, a delicious Crémant de Bourgogne, featuring a blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Gamay grapes. It displays fruitful raspberry and strawberry notes, with a touch of zesty citrus and brioche hints. Elegant and crisp, its lively mousse linger into a lovely finish. $31

Crios Sustentia Chardonnay 2022 is an alternative for white wine lovers, but also for those that are trying to lose weight or who want to consume less alcohol this year. This wine has only 9% Abv vs your regular 14% of most wines and only 90 calories per glass, but all of the flavor! Made by Susana Balbo the top female winemaker of Argentina, this refreshing white is made from 100% Chardonnay from the Uco Valley in Mendoza, showcasing tropical notes of pineapple and mango and refreshing floral hints. $18.99

In the mood for something spicy? Try the Varvaglione 12 e Mezzo Primitivo 2020 from Puglia, a 100% Primitivo (aka Zinfandel) red. Velvety and mouth filling, it displays blackberry and raisins with hints of licorice, chocolate and spicy cinnamon. Certified organic, it has very balanced alcohol, surprisingly as most Zinfandels I have ever tasted were usually 16% and up and overripe; which makes this wine not only refreshing but truly different. $15.99

Are you feeling extra romantic? Yet your wine palate tends more to the classic blends? Try Château Amour 2016,  an expressive Médoc (Bordeaux) red featuring equal parts of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. A classic and very seductive wine shows flavorful black/red currants and plum notes, with tobacco and savory coffee hints.  Polished  and medium-bodied, it integrates fruit, acidity and very supple tannins. Bonus, this a Bordeaux true value at only $22. 

And finally, Calcu Fotem Cabernet Sauvignon 2018,  a powerbomb with lots of personality and style from Colchagua, Chile. It shows explosive black cherries and plums with a touch of herbal green pepper notes. Very textured and structured with a solid length and nice cigar box hints on the finish.  $55

 Hoping you will soon give all these a try. Happy Valentine’s Day to all, cheers! Silvina.

#Valentine’sDay #thoughtsoflawina #Valentine’swines #drinkupamerica

Wines of Altitude

Great wines share some common denominators, factors that directly impact their greatness. Among these, Altitude. Altitude makes great wines and it has always been a key element in vineyard selection, affecting wine style, ripeness, freshness, acidity, tannin and flavor.

All of us know that a successful wine usually comes from the right matching of location, climate and vine variety, a concept known as Terroir. Certain grapes require extra or less warmth, specific types of soils, sunlight and good drainage. Solar radiation, temperature variation, ventilation and winds all come into play when growing grapes. Depending on location and climate, altitude affects the amount of direct sunlight that vines receive, which affects their phenolic concentration and acidity. Altitude wines normally have more weight, acidity and structure from the valley floor counterparts, a direct result of the amount of sunlight they receive.  Sunlight increases with elevation, as UV rays intensify with each 1,000 feet increase. Sunlight and wind exposure also affect tannins, forcing the grapes to produce thick grape skins that provide color and structure to wines. Thicker skins protect grapes from extra solar radiation, from brave winds and from temperature changes that take place at higher elevations. Here is where the famous nocturnal/ diurnal shift of warm days and cool nights is important, because it allows grapes to keep their acidity adding complexity and elegance, which are essential in fine wine production. The temperature shift also promotes a long and slow maturation that will allow grapes to develop more compounds, expressing even more grape flavors.

Altitude also affects drainage, though storms can hit these vineyards hard, because of their inclination, water usually drains to the valley floors, reducing moisture and preventing fungal diseases. The lack of water will force vines to dig their roots deeper into the floor, gathering all types of nutrients and minerals. The water stressed plants usually focus their attention on the development of fruit and not so much on green foliage, which happens with water excess. Of course elevation and inclination has its costs, as most work has to be done by hand.  And all of  this is, not even considering climate change and its effects on viticulture. As global temperatures rise, growers won’t have a choice but to go higher, in order to continue creating the styles of the past when vintages weren’t so warm. This happens because temperatures drop one degree Celsius for each 100 meters of altitude increase.  This is also the reason why winemakers are currently experimenting by planting vines at different altitudes.

But, what is considered a high altitude vineyard? For Europeans high altitude vineyards are those planted at 500+ meters (about 1,640 feet), however in South America where we can find the highest of vineyards (most of which are in Argentina), the minimum starts higher, at 1000+ meters (about 3,280 feet). 

And now to my 3 recommendations from Bodegas Colomé. Founded in 1831 in the heart of the Calchaquí Valley, in Salta, Argentina, Bodegas Colomé is not only the oldest commercial winery but also owns the World’s highest commercial vineyards, planted at 10,300 feet. What can one expect from wines coming from such high altitudes? For starters, deeper colors, concentrated fruit, elegance and fresh acidity and in the case of reds, great tannic structure. Try them and you will discover this is indeed true. And if you have extra $$$ to spare, also try their fabulous flagship wine: Colomé Salta Altura Máxima 2014 tasted at the last Wine Spectator event, an outstanding super Malbec from the highest vineyard of the world. $130

Bodega Colomé Torrontés 2023, $14

Torrontés, the floral and exquisite white grape from Argentina, produces an enticing wine from grapes grown in La Brava vineyard planted at 5,575 feet. This full bodied white displays delicious rose, geranium and grapefruit notes, with lively acidity and a very vibrant finish.

Bodega Colomé Estate Malbec 2021, $27

This delicious 100% Malbec was made with grapes grown from four different vineyards featuring altitudes of 5,575, 7,545, 8,530 and 10,300 feet respectively. This seductive tinto shows violet, cassis, blueberry preserves, dusted cocoa and black pepper notes. Very polished, with the right balance of fruit, tannin and length. 

Bodega Colomé Auténtico 2021, $42

This single vineyard 100 % Malbec is harvested from one of Colomé's best sites located at 7,545 feet. Auténtico is savory, displaying succulent and ripe black currant, black cherries and plum pudding notes mixed with spicy clove, chocolate and graphite hints. A good combination of concentration and finesse. 

 Hoping you will soon give these all a try! Cheers, Silvina

#BodegaColomé #thoughtsoflawina #Altitudewines #Altitude #drinkupamerica #winewednesday