Behind the Cork™ - Bela Ribera del Duero

2017 Bela Ribera del Duero ($19)

This beautiful wine is from Ribera del Duero, located in the village of Villalba del Duero, in the province of Burgos, Spain. The 182-acre estate vineyard was planted in 2002 mostly with Tempranillo.

The three stars on the label represent the three children of the co-founder, Eusebio Real de Asua: Sofia, Aurea and Ramon. Sofia was known as Bela.

Bela is produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes manually harvested from their vineyards. Vinification is in stainless steel tanks, followed by six months in American and French new and one-year old oak barrels.

On the nose there are aromas of dark fruit, such as black cherry and plum, along with some earthly, smoky wood aromas from the barrel aging. On the palate there is black cherry, distinct acidity, light tannin and an easy finish.

This is a medium-bodied wine that can be enjoyed by itself, but is best paired with most foods. 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, Donna White Communications

Behind the Cork™ - González Byass NOE 30 year Sherry

González Byass NOE 30 year Sherry ($49.99)

This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighboring towns of Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Together they form the three points known as the 'Sherry Triangle.’

This NOE sherry, which has aged for over 30 years, follows a careful winemaking process that results in an impressive showing of the Pedro Ximénez grape.

Antonio Flores, winemaker and master blender at González Byass, is the maker of this sherry.

It has an intense dark brown color, with aromas of figs, coffee and spices. It is very sweet, fresh and has a silky palate.

This is dessert in a glass. Serve this one slightly chilled on its own or with acidic desserts

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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 on behalf of González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - González Byass Viña AB Sherry

González Byass Viña AB Sherry ($24.99)

This Sherry is from Jerez de la Frontera in south-western Spain. It is a city of long-standing wine traditions. All true Sherry fortified wine comes from the vineyards around Jerez de la Frontera and the neighboring towns of Puerto de Santa Maria and Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Together these three form the three points known as the 'Sherry Triangle.’

The Spanish Viña means vineyard and AB refers to Andrés Botaina, the original owner of the vineyard that supplied the grapes.

The Palomino grapes destined for Viña AB begin life as Tío Pepe. Following fermentation to between 11% and 12% alcohol the wine is fortified to 15.5% alcohol and then enters the Solera. The unique temperature and humidity in the Jerez cellars, the 15.5% alcohol and an empty space of 100 liters left in the cask create the perfect conditions to form a layer of yeast known as the ́flor ́ on the surface of the wine. This flor is the most important influence on the Fino wine as it protects it from the oxygen and gives it its unique aroma and character.

The wine remains for a minimum of 4 years following the traditional Solera system under the flor. After this time the wine is moved to the Viña AB Solera where it remains for another 8 years.

This Viña AB Sherry is amber in color, with nut and vanilla aromas. On the palate it’s got a big initial flavor that quickly moves to an easy finish with just a bit of saltiness and bitterness.

Serve this one well chilled with most any light fare. 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 on behalf of González Byass

Behind the Cork™ - Secastilla Granacha

2014 Secastilla Granacha ($39.99)

The vineyards in the Secastilla Valley lie in the far north-eastern part of Spain, near the border with France. This region provides a Mediterranean micro-climate for growing grapes.

Secastilla is a hidden valley which boasts hundred-year-old Garnacha vines. The name of the valley, Secastilla, refers to the seven castles (Septum Castella) which overlook the valley.

This Secastilla 100% Granacha is produced from very old Granacha vines on a stony hillside more than 2300 feet above sea level.

This Secastilla Granacha’s production included pre-fermentation maceration, lasting three day, then alcoholic fermentation was done slowly and then malolactic fermentation began spontaneously as soon as the wine was run off from the tanks. After another 10 days it was racked off again into new French oak barrels where it spent another 10 months.

This Granacha is ruby red in color with the distinct aroma of cherries. On the palette it is very delicate, low in tannin, some minerality and has nice acidity on the finish.

This Granacha, imported by González Byass USA was a real treat. It is a limited production wine but well worth looking for. 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™ - Pagos de Galir Mencía

2016 Pagos de Galir Mencía ($17)

This 100% Mencía (men-thee-uh) is from the Valdeorras region which is located on the eastern-most fringes of Galicia, in North-Western Spain.

It was cold macerated, went through malolactic conversion and aged in French and American oak barrels for six months.

This Mencía exhibits some herbal notes of mint along with the dark fruit aromas. On the palette its got black cherry and plum, some moderate acidity and tannin yet finishes with light notes.

This medium-bodied Mencía from Pagos de Galir is a wine that would pair as well with turkey or pork as it would with beef or lamb.

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 Communications