Thursday, March 31, 2011

RIOJA WINE JEWEL MATCHES IRISH FOOD GEMS

Promesa Crianza 2007, Rioja, 13.5%, €11.99,  stockists,
A 100 per cent Tempranillo by Familia Martinez Bujanda, 12 months in oak (70% American, 30% French)
Had good Irish food on the table the other night: starter included some excellent black pudding by Jack McCarthy (via Manning’s Emporium), Pat Whelan’s fantastic Wagyu steaks (won in a Twitter competition), and some Hegarty’s Mature Cheddar (market). Needed a good wine to take its place and match that Cork and Tipp line-up and had it in this superb warm spicy Wine Alliance sample.
The colour is a deep red, close to purple. On the nose, you have black berry fruits along with spice notes. It is strong and intense on the palate, silky tannins combining with the other elements to give an elegant wine with a long and tasty ending. A really well balanced satisfying wine.
The recommended pairings are: Medium-aged cheeses. White and red meats. Lamb, cooked fishes and stews such as tuna with potatoes, beans, and beans with partridge.
Familia Martinez Bujanda are “one of the leading lights of Rioja” and their wines are exported to fifty countries.

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