Category Archives: Spain

Expanding The Frugal Wine Snob’s Mission

Posted on March 23, 2013 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Friends, I’ve been stuck. (Could you tell? No blog posts since January.) Finally figured it out. This blog has grown in TOTALLY unexpected ways (and has grown me as well). Besides being interested in good, affordable wines, for me wine … Continue reading →

Posted in France, News, Spain, Travel | 2 Comments

A bounty of 2011 rosé: The San Francisco Chronicle recommends

Posted on June 5, 2012 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This is an interesting shopping list/summer project!Out of 100 roses tried, 30 made their “Recommended” list. Most cost less than $20. The San Francisco Chronicle’s list of 2011 rosés. Written by Jon Bonné. Panelists: Jon Bonné, Chronicle wine editor; Wayne … Continue reading →

Posted in Austria, California, France, Italy, News, Rosé, South Africa, South Australia, Spain | Leave a comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Torres, Sangre de Toro, 2009 Red Wine, Catalunya, Spain. Garnacha and Cariñena blend, 13.5% ABV. $11.99.

Posted on December 9, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

This wine was recommended by one of our readers, so when I opened it, decanted it, and found the first scents and tastes to be young, rangy, and slightly funky, I thought, “Oh-oh. Hope I don’t have to disappoint someone, … Continue reading →

Posted in Carignan, Grenache/Garnacha, Red Blend, Spain | 4 Comments

RECOMMENDED: Enanzo Tempranillo 2009, Navarra, Spain. 13.5% ABV. Available for as little as $5.99.

Posted on October 30, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

First impression: Dark ruby red. Nice clarity. Great legs. Round molasses taste, yeast-roll finish. Second impression: More oak, more jammy, more pepper, less round. Third impression: Gentler, less spicy, tannic, leather. It really does have a lovely nose. This is … Continue reading →

Posted in Spain, Tempranillo | Leave a comment

WINE TASTING! 4 recommendations.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Four noteworthy wines from a recent tasting: Finca Copete, 2010 Torrontes, Argentina, $8.99. Torrontes is considered by some to be the flagship white wine grape of Argentina. This wine’s aroma is sweet, floral, and citrusy—but it’s dry, brilliant (almost metallic), … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberino, Argentina, Austria, Gruner Veltliner, Italy, Negro Amaro, Spain, Torrontes | Leave a comment

WINE TASTING! 24 wines sampled, 8 recommendations.

Posted on September 27, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Prices are the retail price at the tasting venue, our local ABC store, unless otherwise noted. This time, I focused mostly on trying unusual varietals, as well as a slight emphasis on Pinot Noir, a varietal I’ve found to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Italy, Malbec, Merlot, Moscato/Muscat, Petit Verdot, Red Blend, Spain, Tastings, Tempranillo, Viognier | 1 Comment

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: Tres Picos Garnacha, 2009, Borsao, Spain. 14.5% alcohol. $16-21, but available for as little as $10.95.

Posted on September 20, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Garnacha (Grenache) is usually used in blends, including the sought-after (and usually expensive) Châteauneuf-du-Pape. However, it’s emerging as a popular varietal. And this one, the 2009 Tres Picos, stands long, round, and tall. (Maybe that’s what those three peaks represent!) … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache/Garnacha, Spain | Leave a comment

WINE TASTING! 40 wines sampled, 8 recommendations.

Posted on September 10, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

2007 Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain. 14%. Aged in new French and American oak, 15 months. www.BodegasRamonBilbao.es. $16.99. 2008 Sterling Napa (silver label) Chardonnay. An old-California-style, big and chewy, oaky, velvety, buttery Chardonnary. Not as big as the 1980 Napa … Continue reading →

Posted in American Appellation, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, France, Merlot, Red Blend, South Australia, Spain, Tastings, Tempranillo, White Blend | Leave a comment

DID YOU KNOW … About Shipping Wine in the Summer

Posted on September 10, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

Once this summer, a shipment of six bottles of red wine arrived at our doorstep, and the heat was positively radiating from the box even before we opened it. I feared the whole shipment would be ruined, and promptly donned … Continue reading →

Posted in Argentina, Cabernet Franc, California, Chianti, Italy, Malbec, Spain, Tempranillo, Tips | 6 Comments

EXQUISITE: Herederos del Marques de Riscal Rioja Reserva, 2005. Retails for $19.95, available online for as little as $12.95.

Posted on August 31, 2011 by The Frugal Wine Snob

We tried another Rioja within the last year and at first we were really floored at its strength and brashness, and it became a go-to red for a while. However, by the time we cracked the third bottle, it tasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Red Blend, Spain, Tempranillo | 5 Comments