Two outstanding Best Buy Wines to Ponder
One white from Italy, one red from Spain that are very delicious and worthy of a purchase.
2021 Pieropan Soave Classico
Soave wines are excellent-tasting white wines. Soave had lived in the shadow of wines in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that time, the Soave wines came in 1.5 liters, and were flavorless and unpleasant to drink. Things have changed dramatically. Soave whites are now delicious and very much worth trying. You will be surprised at the complexity of the wines and how different they are from the most popular white wine varieties.
One to try is the 2021 Pieropan Soave Classico. I purchased some from KL Wines, but they are now sold out and waiting for the next vintage. However, the Bottle Barn in Santa Rosa has this vintage. James Sucking rates it 92 Points, Vinous 91 Points, and the Wine Spectator 90 Points. The price at the Bottle Barn is $17.99. I paid the same at KL Wines.
Tasting Notes
Garden fragrance abounds in the nose and on the palate. It is sharp and refreshing with a touch of stony minerality. I get a woodsy character to the wine. The alcohol is 12%. This wine will pair nicely with a cheese plate, nuts, and olives. Light dishes will also fare well. This Soave is a tremendous outdoor wine—90 Points in my book.
The 2021 Pieropan Soave Classico is made mostly with the Garganega grape and a little Trebbiano added.
Try it with Linguini & Clam Sauce or with a Healthy Portobello Sandwich.
2019 Juan Gil Red Blend
The 2019 Juan Gil is an exciting blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Monastrell, and 10% Syrah. The grapes come from 50-year-old vines at 2000 feet elevation. The D.O. is Jumilla, in the Mercia region of Spain. This area is in the Southeast corner of Spain. I purchased the wine at the Redwood City Costco for $11.99
Tasting Notes
The alcohol is 15%, but the wine tastes much more mellow. It is fruity, lively, and even a little on the refreshing side. There are red and dark fruit flavors to enjoy. The Juan Gill is delicious and a great buy at $11.99. The wine has a 91-Point rating from Vinous and Robert Parker. I go with 89 Points.
For food pairing, any meat from the grill or griddle will match perfectly with the Juan Gil Red Blend. No grill, cook up Ribeye on a cast iron pan. Use some of the wine to make a delicious red wine reduction sauce.
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