Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Rioja Reserva

2014 Beronia Rioja Reserva ($19.99)

This Beronia Rioja Reserva comes from the Rioja region of north-eastern Spain.

It is made from a selection of the best grapes from the oldest Tempranillo (95%) vines, Graciano (4%) and Mazuelo (1%).

After fermentation, this Rioja earns its “Reserva” designation by spending 20 months in mixed French and American oak barrels then another 16 months in the bottle before being released to the market.

This Beronia Rioja Reserva has a deep purple color, a bit of a nutty aroma and flavor of ripe plum with the oak aging adding just a bit of chocolate/vanilla flavor. It’s a medium bodied, low tannin and easy on the finish.

This Beronia Rioja Reserva is yet another fine example of an affordable and attainable wine that fits right in as a Behind the Cork™ wine of the week feature. Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster for González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

2018 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz ($33)

Two Hands was established in the summer of 1999 with the aim of making the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized Shiraz growing regions throughout Australia.

The intention was, and still is, to showcase the diversity of Australian Shiraz by highlighting regional characteristics and allowing the fruit to be the primary feature of the wines.

'Two Hands' refers to the very personable approach taken with each parcel of grapes, no matter how big or small. The wines are carefully guided through the viticulture and winemaking process by Proprietor and Managing Director, Michael Twelftree and his dedicated team.

This Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz has a full, rich aroma of berries, plums, lavender and dark chocolate, with hints of spice, earth and anise. The vibrant acid carries the juicy plummy fruit and bitter chocolate flavors seamlessly through the fine tannins.

I had expected this to be a big, bold red. But, I was pleasantly surprised to find this Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz to be medium in body with juicy fresh fruit flavors and very smooth. This was my first introduction to Two Hands wines but you can bet it won’t be my last. This is a good one! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Will Rogers of Donna White Communications

Pouring the Right Amount of Wine in a Glass

I recently ordered a glass of wine at a local restaurant. Admittedly it wasn’t a fine dining restaurant. It was a place where you order at the counter and then you are served at your table.

When I got my glass of red wine, it was filled nearly to the top. I’m sure the young man that poured the wine meant well and wanted to ensure that I was getting a full glass. But, for me, it was a bit too full.

Having some empty space in the glass will capture the wine’s aroma. And, as was discussed in a previous blog, your sense of smell is very important to your sense of taste.

It’s usually pretty easy to figure out how much wine to pour in a glass. Just fill it to the widest part of the bowl, as shown in the image. Or, if your wine glass has nearly vertical sides, pour the glass approximately one-third full. Now this may seem like too little wine. I’ve even had friends tease me about being served too little wine. But, I always assure them that there’s more where that came from! But having that empty space in the wine glass will make a positive difference in the way your wine tastes.

There is one exception. When you are pouring sparkling wine in a flute, go right ahead and fill it. That way you’ll ensure that the flute shows off all the wonderful bubbles!

Here’s to pouring the right amount in your wine glass! Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay

2017 Hess Collection Napa Valley Chardonnay ($22)

With pineapple, green apple, and tropical fruits on the nose, you might be expecting a bright, crisp high acid Chardonnay.

And, this Hess Collection Chardonnay delivers the bright fruit flavors as well as a super creamy smooth finish.

Dave Guffy, Director of Winemaking at Hess, says this is achieved by putting 70% of the Chardonnay through stainless steel fermentation to retain the wonderful fruit flavors. The remaining 30% fermented in oak - 19% of which is new French oak.

Only 30% of the blend is allowed to undergo the secondary fermentation.

The aging of this Hess Collection Chardonnay is done for nine months in the barrel with the lees being stirred weekly for first four months.

This is a truly excellent Chardonnay from Napa Valley. And, at this price, it’s well worth being a Behind the Cork™ wine of the week! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - Beronia Crianza

2016 Beronia Crianza ($14.99)

The Rioja region of Spain is noted for its Tempranillo and this one from Beronia is indeed noteworthy.

This is a typical Rioja blend of grapes consisting of 91% Tempranillo, 8% Garnacha and 1% Mazuelo (a.k.a Carignan).

The Tempranillo in this wine defines its structure. The Grenache provides more berry flavors and spices while adding to its wonderful aroma. Finally, the Carignan, even this wine’s 1%, adds acidity and an ever-so-slight hint of tannin.

With nice bright fruit on the nose, this wine immediately yields red fruit flavors of cherry and raspberry. Its medium body allows the fruit flavors to shine though.

This wine’s label includes the word “crianza.” In case you are not familiar with this term, crianza indicates that wine has spent one year in oak barrels.

The oak aging was done in mixed barrels with American oak staves and French oak caps. This process added subtle spice flavors and yielded low tannin. This makes for an easy finish with each sip.

This is a very nice wine that can pair with lighter fare and also stands up nicely with bigger-flavored foods.

As with all wines featured as a Behind the Cork™ - Wine of the Week, it’s very affordable and easily attainable. Enjoy! Cheers!

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Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Rebekah Polster, Donna White Communications