Wine Chatter and Blather
Just found a little terrific Perubian restaurant …Terra Sur
Just found a little terrific Perubian restaurant in Carrollwood , Florida called Terra Sur. Thanks to some good friends…My style.
It has your traditional Spanish Perubian fare such as Octopus, Shrimp, Clams with baked cheese, Chicharron de Calamar, Lomo, Beef Tenderloins, Tapas… rice dishes, the whole 9 yards.
To me the best part is the winelist which includes wines from California like Plumpjack, Justin, Austin Hope, Peju, Provenance and a slew of others Spanish and Argentinian at a good price point. If you like wine with your grilled meats; this is the place. Plus, the staff is always talking up the wine offering a taste hear or there.
Not to mention that next door is a Cafe owned by the same people which is more bistro than restaurant and it’s worth trying as well.
It’s definitely a place you can go to several times for pairing…mixing and matching food and wine.
Desserts too!
Terra Sur is located at 5358 W Village Drive Tampa ,FL 33624
I like it.
Red wine is King in Spain…Three main Sources to know are Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat
Red wine is King in Spain. It’s a staple of every day life, every day meals. Delicious red wine is found all over the country. Just like France and Italy, Spanish wine is full of history great regions and history.
But to be clear; there are three premier sources for red wine in Spain that every wine fan must know and that’s Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat. Now that’s not saying that La Mancha or Catayuld or even Montsant are not doing good stuff. They really are!
The main three to know are Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Priorat.
Here’s a little tidbit of info on the characteristics of wine of each place; enough to be dangerous on each region and one wine to look for from each.
Rioja: Rioja wine has a elegant cherry nose and has a dusty spice notes They are aged well. They are often blended from dozens of vineyards. There are 15-20,000 grape growers but about only 700 wineries. That gives you an idea of what is going on in general. Tempranillo is the main grape in Rioja. Crianzas are aged 2 years with at least 6 months in oak barrels. Reservas and Grand Reservas much longer
Ribera del Duero: Ribera del Duero has the distinction of being the second most famous wine region in Spain. Rioja does not let them live that down. It does not mean their wines are any less spectacular. On the contrary. As in Rioja the grape used is Tempranillo. But they call it Tinto Fino. Ribera’s climate is hotter, more sun. So the wine is more intense but no less complex to Rioja’s. It’s just a different interpretation that blows your mind. More than often the same methods are used as Rioja’s but not always which adds more creativity sometimes.
Priorat: Priorat is the latest and greatest new best region. Southwest of Barcelona and not very big on the map, yet mountainous. But holy smokes it’s powerful wine. In the 1980’s a bunch of renegade wine makers went there and started making incredible wines. Great food wine too. This place was abandoned for years adfter the Spanish Civil war. Using grapes like Carignane and Garnacha started to make these luscious and exotic wines that got the worlds attention in a big way. Like a big bang! Instant classic wine region. Just like that! Unbelievable but true.
Bottles to try…all clearly under $35
1. Rioja – La Rioja Alta Vina Ardanza Reserva
2. Ribera del Duero – Tinto Pesquera Crianza
3. Mas Alta Black Slate Vilella Alta
Babbalucci is a new Italian restaurant in South Tampa and there’s going to be a focus on Southern Italy. Let’s talk about the wines of southern Italy
Babbalucci is located at S. Westshore Blvd 33629
Check out the Wines of Virginia…A road trip is in order!
Tangled up in Blue… Blue Cheeses, Roquefort, Stilton and Cambozola
Oak and Vanilla go hand in hand in wine
Rioja wine: Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. Each of the levels increase the grape quality
2015 Bordeaux looks like a Big Winner; Get ready to stock up; Margaux may be the Champ of Vintage.
Special Report, 2017 was a year full of some memorable wines. Here are 5 of my favorites
2017 was a year full of some memorable wines. Here are 5 of my favorites of the year I’ve handpicked. Each year I try to come up with wines that stand out for me and try to describe them for you. My top 5 wines for the year are 4 from California made my list this year and 1 great value from Australia:
An intense concentrated aroma of blackberry, blueberry. Boysenberry pie. Structured. Pepper spice on the finish, the oak gives off smokiness to the nose cacao chocolate to the finish.
Sweet red cherry, plum, dried flowers, tea and tobacco flavors. Soft and cagey, totally approachable; Firm tannin yet subtle, Very polished.
Over performing Champ’ of the year. One of the strongest efforts. eucalyptus, cedar and blackberry jam. Underbrush tones; Multilayered chewy tannins, fresh, good acidity with good fruit finish.
Great aromatics and intense fruit. Wild berries, rich raspberry fruit ; powerful wine. Hints, of burnt cherry pit, smoke and cedar Elegant big and plush.