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Spanish Reds

Red wine can be part of healthful diet, in moderation. New studies reassess the benefits and risks of routine alcohol consumption. (photo credit: David Gough via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)
Red wine can be part of healthful diet, in moderation. New studies reassess the benefits and risks of routine alcohol consumption. (photo credit: David Gough via Flickr/Wikimedia Commons)

Wine is grown all over Spain, not just in Rioja. Al takes a look at a few delicious garnachas from less well known regions.

Price key: $=less than $20 $$= $20-40 $$$=$40-60 $$$$=above $60

Quality key: * = decent wine ** = very good wine *** = superb wine ****= elite

VALUE = exceptional quality for the money

WINE OF THE WEEK

Care Garnacha, Cariñena ’22 $ **1/2 VALUE

(A refined, flavorful red that features garnacha wildness with rich refined taste)

Filonreal Garnacha, Calatayud ’19 *** $$

(A very impressive, powerful wine, smokey raspberry flavors blend with mild tannins)

Veraz Garnacha, Campo de Borja ’18 $$ ** VALUE

(Already aged for you, a rustic take on garnacha, informal, fruity with strong tannins)

All of these wines can be purchased at Wells Discount Liquors.

Al Spoler, well known to WYPR listeners as the wine-loving co-host of "Cellar Notes" has had a long-standing parallel interest in cooking as well. Al has said, the moment he started getting serious about Sunday night dinners was the same moment he started getting serious about wine. Over the years, he has benefited greatly from being a member of the Cork and Fork Society of Baltimore, a gentlemen's dining club that serves black tie meals cooked by the members themselves who are some of Baltimore's most accomplished amateur cooks.
As General Partner of Clipper City Brewing Company, L.P., Hugh J. Sisson is among Baltimore's premier authorities on craft brewing and a former manager of the state's first pub brewery, Sissons, located in Federal Hill. A fifth generation Baltimorean, Hugh has been involved in all aspects of craft brewing.