Mediterranean Blend
No Vintage
Cataluña, Spain
So, it has been brought to my attention that my content is not quite personal enough. Constructive criticism is always welcome as it allows me to improve, so I am going to try a new approach from here on.
Today was wine shopping day, and ‘World Market’ of Myrtle Beach was my destination. $70 dollars later I had an assortment of 6 bottles and 2 boxed wines. Yes boxes! Don’t be hating on boxed wine!
Among the assortment was Rene Barbier Mediterranean Blend of Cataluña Spain. For those of you who are not familiar with Cataluña, they are experiencing a touch of civil unrest similar to the area of Spain know as Basques. This does not prevent them from producing wine however. Among this coast sit many a vineyard, and among these vineyards, lays the town of Victoria Spain. Why is this important to you? Well, it’s not. To me on the other hand, it is important. It is the home of my great grandfather, Valentino Delasalle Lopez, the reason I lay claim to the name Lopez. I know, I know, you’re scratching your head and thinking ‘Dennis? You’re almost void of pigment, you have blonde hair, and blue eyes, how can this be?’ Well my friends, the other half of my family is of German and Irish heritage, and contrary of popular belief not all Spaniards are dark skinned and have dark eyes. The Spanish are as Celtic as the Irish, and in turn the genetic traits are still very prevalent. Thus, the work of art you see before you as me. I may claim to be predominantly Irish, but this is due to a belief I have, that home is not where you are from; It’s not where your family is from but where you are best understood. I learned that in Ireland.
Now, I hope you have enjoyed that little insight into my life, but let’s move on to the important stuff. I picked this bugger up at World Market for $4.99. It is a Tempranillo and Merlot blend. Although they boast that this wine is a rich, full bodied red blend, they are only slightly delusional. This wine is at best, of a medium body, but it has some very interesting characteristics. It is a brilliant ruby color, like a lighter bodied Pinot Noir, and looks super-inviting. The nose brought me back to the days in which I used to work as a carpenter, in a wood shop. The aroma is of sawdust and dry wood accompanied by a bouquet of flowers. It smells very floral, but not artificial or very perfume-like. Tulip is by far the most prevalent. The longer I taste this wine, the more it appears to be lighter in body. The typical Tempranillo bite is softened by its blend with merlot. It is lax in the flavor department but, I feel this would be an awesome red to enjoy on a hot summer day. It is very refreshing and airy. This wine would be spectacular in Sangria or warmed in a Crockpot with some mulling spice. I would even say mix with mulling spice and chill into a snow cone (a trick I learned from a local vineyard.) All together this wine, although I am unable to compare it to anything else, was a good, solid, buy. It was $4.99 a bottle, and it tastes like a $4.99 bottle, but it is soundly made. No regrets at all. Pick up a bottle or two and mix up your own home made treat.
Appearance: Brilliant Ruby
Nose: Sawdust, Tulip, and other flowers
Flavor: Like chewing on flower pedals, salty sea something and fresh cut woods.
Finish: Absent but crisp and refreshing
