Frontaura Dominio de Valdelacasa 2005

This wine is made in the Toro region of Spain from 100% Tempranillo grapes (or, as they call them in the Toro region, 'Tinto de Toro').

I originally bought this because the dude in Philglas & Swiggot reckoned it would be a good match for Beef Rendang. I'm not sure how he ended up at that conclusion (beef = red I guess?), but I had my suspicions and ended up buying a white as well, just in case.

We had the white instead, and I saved this red for another day. Today was that day. It has a strong strawberry-scented nose, along with maybe a bit of chocolate. Rich, deep flavour, good tannins and a nice long finish. It's a Crianza, which means it spent at least 6 months in oak, but it's not overly oaky like some Spanish reds tend to be.

I can't remember what I paid for this, but looking around it goes for around £15, which rings a bell. A bit more than I usually dole out, and I can't say that I haven't had anything just as good for under £10. It's a good wine though - I wouldn't say it's not worth it.

Bodegas Frontaura

Dominio de Valdelacasa 2005

DO Toro, Spain

Philglas & Swiggot

~£15

4/5

Paulinshof Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese trocken 2007

So I walk into the wine shop and ask the guy what would go with a spicy beef dish. First of all he recommends a Spanish red. Then I tell him what the beef dish actually is (Beef Rendang). "Oh." He says, "That's quite spicy. Maybe a white would be better." So this German Riesling ends up on the table.

As a wine, it's a bit of a new experience for me. It's a Spatlese, meaning it's bit riper than a Kabinett. However it's a dry style (trocken). Combining the two, it has the taste and texture of a dessert wine, but it's dry. It's ripe, fruity and rich. Unfortunately, it didn't go well with the food. It was a competition and the wine lost. There were both quite rich and full of character, but the food just overpowered the wine. I think a lighter, Kabinett-style Riesling would have been better.

The experience made it difficult to judge the wine. It was expensive, and I've enjoyed cheaper German Rieslings far more than I enjoyed this. However, the food clash may be the main culprit here, so I'll hold off on the score.

Weingut Paulinshof

Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2007

Mosel, Germany

Philglas & Swiggot

£16.99

Lauverjat Moulin des Vrillères, Sancerre Rouge 2006

The region of Sancerre in the French Loire Valley is probably more famous for its white Sauvignon Blanc wines rather than its reds, but that doesn't mean it can't produce a decent Pinot Noir, which is exactly what this is.

This is a light, refreshing Pinot, and slightly chilled and on its own, it would be perfect on warm summer day. The nose and flavours are wonderful, think strawberries and cream.

I'm also a big fan of Sancerre rosé, also made from Pinot Noir. If you haven't tried it, you should.

Lauverjat
Moulin des Vrillères Sancerre Rouge 2006
Sancerre AC, Loire Valley, France
Philglas & Swiggot
£13.00
3.5/5