A "Real" Verdejo

With the temperatures on the rise in Wine Armada’s port city, the transition to lighter wines has begun. The Real Compania de Vinos Verdejo 2012, from La Mancha, breezed into our glasses recently and made our palates forget about last Winter’s chill. Delicate notes of pear, green apple and food-friendly minerality went down easily. The finish was bright and clean, making this a perfect Springtime post-gardening sipper. Even the bottle label collage with its background of pale green crowns, reminds us Verdejo rules as a warm weather white!

The Gold Mesh Standard

You know when you see that gold wire mesh around a bottle of Rioja you're dealing with some serious wine. Such is the case with the 2007 El Coto Crianza.

The tradition of netting dates back to the early 20th century when top Rioja producers were attempting to stop dishonest merchants from pasting their labels on lesser bottles of wine. El Coto began production many years later, with this intriguing combination of old world packaging, and new world flavor profiles.

By definition this Crianza must spend at least one year in oak, and another year in the bottle, before release. It's smooth as silk, on a light-to-medium frame, and glides along with a dark cherry, earthy spiciness that finishes with that signature Rioja balsamic note. An easy year-round red for casual gatherings or with your favorite tapas.