This week I spent some time exploring the wines of Manhattan, and before I knew it I’d been swept into a sea storm – an ocean of wine with crimson waves crashing overhead.  Just when I surmised the current was too great to stay afloat, the clouds part, the ocean calmed, and ahead a promising outlook as I approached land with an unexpected journey to the Canary Islands by way of E.ViL.

As I scanned the wine list at Terroir in Manhattan’s East Village, starting at the top and gazing quickly down the list of appellations I’ve come to adore, my attention was drawn to a wine of which I recognized from Valle de la Orotava.  I’d had a bit of experience with the wines of Spain through my travels and hosted tasting – Txakoli from Basque Country, Priorat and Ribero del Duero, but this one was special.  A unique red farmed on the volcanic soils of the largest of the Canary Islands situated just about 60 miles off the southwest coast of Morocco, on Tenerife, with its black sand and long strand – truly begotten by paradise.

Experts and critics like The New York Times writer Eric Asimov, have praised the wine from this region over the years, and I am familiar with one of its producers Tajinaste through research on the islands, however, this was the first taste encounter I’d had with a Canary Islands wine, and that made me extremely happy.  I excitedly solicited our pourer for information about the wine and before he could he could check (as it had apparently been added to the list the day before) a splash was in my glass, swirling around and then filling my mouth and I was slowly savoring the wine, exploring each layer of complexity and depth like you might do with a piece from Dali. I was in love.  I almost didn’t care to do more than drink it in that moment, but my curiosity brought me back to reality and I instantly knew that the subject of my next piece would be this wine.

The Wine:

2011 Suertes del Marqués | 7 Fuentes |  Valle de la Orotava

Tenerife | Canary Islands

http://instagram.com/p/YlnSa_D9-2/

This Canary Island wine is a blend primarily of Listan Negro and 10% Tintilla, and was fermented and aged in the combination of concrete tanks and French oak barrels.  Importer Jose Pastor Selections’ staff aptly describes it: “Pale red. Fruity, peppery fruit and quite light with some of the island’s volcanic soils showing through. Very appealing, round and early-maturing. Transparent fruit and a satisfying finish. A grainy quality – or am I thinking of the famous black sands of Tenerife? Long.” – JR http://www.josepastorselections.com/

Tenerife is largest and most populous island of the seven Canary Islands; it is also the most populated island of Spain, with a land area of 2,034.38 km² and 898,680 inhabitants (43% of the total population of the Canary Islands).  Read more about the grape here as Eric Asimov, NY Times writer takes you through this archipelago of Spain.

Where to Buy:

The 2010 vintage is available for $21.99 at K&L Wines. “This is definitely an early contender for Canary red of the year, and a producer to keep an eye on.” – Joe Manekin, K&L Spanish wine buyer.

Our next tasting on Wednesday will take us through California, where we will explore some big wines from small, boutique producers from various AVAs in northern California. What is an AVA?  An American Viticultural Area is a designated wine grape-growing region in the United States distinguishable by geographic features.  We’ll be exploring the following wines from 4 AVAs in northern California.  Another fun fact – all of the wines are Rhone varietals!

The Wine

2011 L’Apiculteur | Le P’tit Paysan | Arroyo Seco

100% Viognier. Stone fruit, river stones, excellent focus.

Arroyo Seco, in Monterey County, California, southeast of Monterey Bay, is famous for white wines full of tropical fruit and refreshing acidity. This AVA hosts a small but prestigious list of wineries and supplies fruit to many of California’s most prominent producers who appreciate the distinctive character shaped by this AVA’s unique terroir.

2011 Rose | Bugay Vineyards | Sonoma County (Mayacama Mountains)

97% Syrah, 3% Mourvedre. Amélange of tropical fruit, fresh-cut strawberry, ruby-red grapefruit and citrus.

The Mayacamas Mountains of Sonoma County. The proprietors of Bugay Wines immediately fell in love with the stunning beauty of this rugged, inaccessible and forested parcel. To their fortune, the parcel revealed hillside meadows suitable for vineyards and the soils proved to be a winemaker’s dream.  We’ll be tasting a beautiful Rosé.

2008 Syrah | Duende | Russian River  

Lush, rich, balanced.

The Russian River Valley provides a cool climate for growing grapes and accounts for one-sixth of the total planted vineyard acreage in Sonoma County. The climate in the Russian River Valley is similar to that of the northern Rhone Valley of France, Syrah’s ancestral home, and the wines are stylistically similar to the wines from this region.

2008 Mathis Grenache | Mathis Vineyard | Sonoma Valley

81% Grenache clone 513 and 515 Tablas Creek, 10%  Carignane, 8% Petite Sirah and 1% Alicante Bouchet.  lush fruit combined with pepper notes, hint of juniper

The Sonoma Valley AVA centers on the Sonoma Valley (also known as The Valley of the Moon) in the southern portion of the county. The appellation is bordered by two mountain ranges: the Mayacamas Mountains to the east and the Sonoma Mountains to the west.

For those of you who may be dreading the most romantic day of the year, you’re in luck. The tasting this week at Blanc et Rouge will be your sanctuary as you avoid prix fix meals and waiting for a table despite the reservation you booked months in advance. Come celebrate with us, and taste delectable wine from around the world. Perhaps you’ll meet your mate! Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

The lineup:

NV Vincent Raimbault | Vouvray Brut | Loire, France

A beautiful sparkling Chenin Blanc from the Loire region of France

Cantalupo il Mimo | Nebbiolo Rose | Piedmont, Italy

A romantic wine of the Nebbiolo varietal made from brief contact with the skin, this lovely dry rose is from the Piedmont region of Italy

2011 Riesling Kabinett, Feinherb | Reinert Wiltinger Schlossberg | Mosel-Saar, Germany

This off dry riesling has a touch of sweetness to warm anyone’s palate. From the Mosel region in Germany, this wine has high acidity and zesty minerality

2011 Locations by Dave Phinney “E” | Garnacha/Carignane | Spain 

Full of ripe, round fruit, displaying the classic hot, arid climate of Spain, like a blast of warm wind carrying savory fragrance and the smells of Spanish cuisine

Wow, what an event!  To celebrate the new year, on Friday we drank amazing wine from Spain, mingled with great company and made new friends.  I want to thank my guests for attending, share the wine list, and of course, post the event photos.  All of the wines are available through Blanc et Rouge, and we plan to continue with monthly tastings.   I’m looking forward to more wine lovers attending.  Thanks to Allie Pape’s article on 7×7 and the expertise of sommelier Andrew Fidelman which help made this a success.

Wines

2011 Ermita de Nieve | Verdejo | Rueda, Spain  -22-

2010 Bodegas y Viñedos Ponce “Buena Pinta” | Garanacha | Manchuela, Spain  -40-

2011 Locations E-1 Spanish Red Wine | Garanacha, Tempranillo & Cariena |

Priorat, Rioja & Ribera del Duero, Spain  -20-

2008 Mas Doix Salanques | Priorat, Spain  -48-

Available for retail purchase at Blanc et Rouge in the Financial District

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My next wine tasting and party, in celebration the new year, will be hosted at Blanc et Rouge, a beautiful wine bar located in the Financial District where sommelier Andrew Fidelman, who opened and co-wrote the wine list at Spruce, has masterfully created the wine list.

We will be exploring wines from Spain, and the evening will begin with a tasting of 4 selected wines, with which we’ll explore your flavor profile. Once you’ve identified your preference, come back for a glass of your favorite and mingle the night away.