wine pimp

A wonderful thing happened to me last week. It was a usual Sunday trip to the LCBO. The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, and I was thinking about stocking my cellar with rosè as summer approaches. I leisurely wandered the isles of wine bottles, with a full cart and stars in my eyes. Then, from out of my reverie I felt a presence to my left: a calm yet powerful energy. A hand rested gently on my shoulder while a bottle of wine was pressed into my arms. "Here" she said. "This is a great bottle of wine". It's finally happened; my dreams have come true; I now have a personal wine pimp at the LCBO.

This is what she sent my way last weekend.

I drank it in a happy daze. Spanish wine. Mmmmmm. This lovely number is from the latest Vintages release and there is more on the shelves, at the moment, in Ottawa. It's only $12.95 and worth the effort of popping a cork and pouring a glass. Every time I went back to the glass there was something more. At first whiff it's earthy and brambly, then comes the dark fruit and leather followed by liquorice and juniper, and lastly a little smokiness and some sweet spices. The long liquorice-tinged finish has an inviting hint of black tea and a gentle tannic presence.

Thank you Éva.

Now on to some rosè for the weekend.

Word: The French call it Mourvèdre, and the Australians call it Mataro, but Monastrell is indiginous to Spain where it thrives in the warm climate.