The second wine from Honoro Vera that I've tried, and again, another great bottle that delivers a little more than you're expecting for the money!  Monastrell is recognized more under it's french name: Mourvedre.  This effort was a bit higher in alcohol than it's Rhone inspired cousins at 14%, but after a bit of breathing, it settled down to a rich, opulent style that offered ripe currant, dark cherry, and cranberry notes.  Pair this with something spicey like a Paeia or jumbalaya, and you're in for a great time!  Around $10

Gaga Blanc

Gaga wines originate from the Majestic Portfolio, the folks that are essentially Kendall-Jackson.  There are three wines from the Gaga line:  A red blend, a rose, and this white blend.  I opened this to accompany a meal of grilled chicken (in a chipotle/lime marinade) asparagus and grilled pineapple rings.  It was stellar with the food choices!  The wine offered crisp acidity, without being grapefruity, and the finish was clean and fresh!  An attractive label, and an attractive price at about $10-13!

Italo Cescon Pinot Grigio from the Veneto region in Northeastern Italy, features crisp acidity, with lively fruit and minerality on the palate.  Perfect with warm spring days, and light meals that tend to grace our tables as the summer months approach.  Pair this with chicken, soft cheeses, or melons... perfection!  You'll find this in some retailers at around $14.  Look for the twig on the long neck, being held in place with the ochre colored ribbon!

New into the marketplace, this lovely little Pinot Grigio comes from the Friuli region of Italy.  Microclimates give the grapes for this wine the appropriate cooling periods in the evenings and overnight, to produce nice acidity, and balance with some delicate minerality. An everyday type of wine, at an amazingly great price!  Look for this at around $6-$8!

Loredona Pinot Grigio, from the Monterey Bay area, does produce the tangy, citrusy benchmarks of typical California Pinot Grigio.  Warm days and cooling evenings during the growing season make these grapevines produce fruit similar to what you'd expect from the Friuli region of Italy, and the minerality lingers on the finish.  The presentation of the bottle, the label, and then the wine in the glass really do make for a posh statement;  Impress your guests with this well made and exceptionally affordable wine... it's only about $8!

With local temps in the Seattle area reaching near 80 degrees over the Mother's Day weekend, these three wines are great additions to any meal plans!

Honoro Vera Garnacha 2010

Last night's offerings included this little gem from the Calatayud region of Spain.  Garnacha (grenache) offers soft, slightly jammy, and lush fruit components on the palate, and this was spot on my expectations!   Fruity to the first few sips, then developing a little more depth to the middle of the palate, and finally showing a bit of length on the finish, this wine is definitely a great choice for a mixed crowd at a party, or for enjoying with just about any type of food.  Definitely a value, too, at around $9 a bottle!  I saw this originally on a display at The Market in Anacortes, Washington, and then noticed it in a few other places in the area as well, such as the Snow Goose Produce Stand in the LaConner area.  I think we might see this in the Redmond area soon, as well!

The first post for the blog of "A Wine Guy"!  Check out my FB entity as well, at "The Wine and Liqour Emporia at QFC Bella Bottega".  Having worked in the wine sales and distribution for over 19 years, I decided to share some of my experiences with the general public.  As a purchaser and department manager for QFC, I am exposed to an above average number of wines per week, and it is my intention to steer consumers into good choices that fit their budget, palate, and expectations.  Salud!