I initially was not going to review this wine, but I figured it was something different than I usually drink and plus I do not have many whites on hand, so I figured why not? This vintage 2015 Riesling can be found at many major grocery chains - I found it at two different stores on the same day. I was skeptical of its quality since it is a mass production wine, but I tried to set aside that bias (and admittedly, a little snob attitude.) I was hoping it would not be the middle of the road, semi-sweet Riesling but I was surprised that it had a different palette of flavors than I anticipated in a mass production wine. Before I get into the taste and aromas of the wine, a bit about the region where it comes from: the Mosel region of Germany is known for its winemaking and borders Luxembourg to the southwest (see picture below.) The majority of the wine that comes from this region is - surprise - Riesling. The Moselle River cuts through the region as well, with vineyards and dilapidated castles lining the banks. It sounds like a beautiful place, and one that I may have to add to my travel list. I bought and drank the wine on the same day, which for me is rare, but I was able to have it chill in the fridge for a few hours prior to consuming. After pouring a glass and having it sit for a minute or two, I smelled the wine. I am not that familiar with sweeter white wines, so this was a relatively new experience for me. I had the Wine Folly book, "The Essential Guide to Wine" next to me while I smelled and tasted the wine. The thought behind this was not so much as to tell me what I was tasting, but maybe put a scent or taste in context or find like-flavors.
The aroma I got from this wine was a sweet with a bit of tartness from the lemon and lime, but also from a nectarine taste. Lots of light, bright fruit with this wine and the smell reflected that. There was a noticeable floral scent as well, but not overwhelming. When tasting and holding the sip of wine in my mouth for a few seconds, it was instant sweetness, but not overly sweet like a doux champagne. Like the smell, I tasted a strong (not powerful) lemon, orange, and grapefruit taste. Then the tartness of the lime and pear cut through - it felt refreshing, juicy, and almost tropical. After a couple more sips, I began to taste a green apple tartness as well. This Riesling is 8% ABV (alcohol by volume), so it was not heavy at all, yet still had a solid body mixed with a complex sampling of flavors. This Riesling did surprise me in terms of its complexity and range of flavors that a mass produced wine offers. While I have a generally positive view of it, I would like to try other Rieslings before grabbing another bottle. I would recommend, but there are likely better options albeit at a higher price point. If you are looking for a cheap (approx. $10) Riesling, this would be one I would pick up. If you are well-versed in white wines or like a crisper, sweeter white wine, I would look elsewhere.
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After purchasing this bottle a few months ago, I decided to open it and pair it with some home-cooked enchiladas. I have read that Zinfandel had paired well with Mexican dishes, but I wanted to try something different, yet similar. I bought it for $8.99 at a wine speciality store in Grand Rapids, but I'm sure it is available at many "speciality" liquor stores throughout the United States. I have never seen it at a large chain grocery store, though, so I would look somewhere else to grab a bottle than your local large chain grocer. I tend to like a more peppery/dry wine with my Mexican dishes, and this wine did not disappoint. Note: I'm using the spelling of the varietals from the bottle, these can be spelled differently. This southern Spanish red blend is a mix of Garnacha Tintorera (70%) and Monastrell (30%) - both of these varietals are common in Spain. I have had Garnacha a few times, but nothing recently, so I was excited to try it again. The southern Spanish region is a hotter climate, with this winery being located in the northern area of the region. The southern Spanish region wines have the characteristics of sweet fruit, clay flavors with medium acidity. This wine was bottled in the D.O. (Denominaciones de Origen) Almansa, which is located on the eastern side of Spain to the southwest of Valencia - see picture below. D.O. Almansa has very hot summers with very little precipitation. The D.O. has 12 wineries and hundreds of growers within approx. 17,500 acres of vineyards. When I opened the bottle, I got a heavy scent of dark fruit and pepper - I knew I would love this wine solely upon that. I poured a glass and let it air out for a few minutes. In hindsight I maybe should have let it air out a little longer, but I was too excited to try it! The color in the glass was a medium red/purple color, from the mix of the lighter colored Garnacha body and darker colored Monastrell body. The primary aroma I sniffed the wine for the first time, was as aforementioned, heavy on the pepper, as well as mineral-like and dark fruit (e.g. blackberry), but after a few more smells I noticed a subtle hint of strawberry as well.
When tasting, though, all of these fruit flavors burst out on the front: blackberry, strawberry, acai, and a hint of blueberry finishing with a heavy tobacco and leather taste. The wine is a full-bodied dry wine, so if that is not your preference, this wine is not for you. I prefer my red wines to be dry and full, so this was a slam dunk for me. The wine is also fairly high in tannins. According to Wine Folly, tannins are a textural taste that leaves the mouth feeling dry and is mostly found in red wines. The Laya red blend was dry to the taste, but a woodsy dry, which was expected, but also a nice touch on the back end of the wine. I was very pleased with this blend and will always keep a bottle on hand. I cannot say enough good things about this red blend. If you are a fan of dry, full reds, or are looking to try something new at a reasonable price tag this wine is for you. Highly recommend. |
Author20 something living in Beer City USA with an affinity for wine. Other hobbies include photography, reading, and playing my pup. Archives
March 2020
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