In an earlier post I described where to buy wine in Antigua. However, it is more exciting when you visit a beautiful colonial town like Antigua to do wine tasting. The good news is not only does Tabacos y Vinos (5a Avenida Norte) have one of the best wine selections in town, it also hosts wine tasting events.
Thus far I have attended three Tabacos y Vinos wine tastings that have been organized by Julie, Antigua's Wine Diva.
January 13, 2011 I did a blind tasting. It was a fun evening. That evening I was able to taste one white wine and four reds. Except for knowing which ones I liked/disliked, I did not do well at identifying the wines or where they were produced. Hence, I have a compelling reason to do more wine tasting.
In this post I will share brief notes from the two other wine tasting sessions. January 27, 2011 I tasted the following five Spanish wines:
The February 3, 2011 tasting held by Tobacos y Vinos was at Bistrot Cinq. Bistrot Cinq gets top marks from Tripadvisor reviewers.
I tasted the following five French wines paired with appetizers:
The pairings with the above wines included - croquette de tiburón ( I passed), tomato puree with cheese on crackers, cheese tart with caramelized onions and a cheese plate for this vegetarian taster (everyone else had beef bourguignon, and shepperd's pie made with chicken). The pairings were great.
Special thanks to Julie for three great wine tasting sessions. Wine tasting is tough life but "hey" someone has to do it. I totally love doing "spaswinefood". I invite you to join me in my travels in Guatemala and elsewhere at Spaswinefood, or you can visit my travel column at the Examiner.
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| Tabacos y Vinos © Spaswinefood |
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| Tabacos y Vinos © Spaswinefood |
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| Tabacos y Vinos tasting © Spaswinefood |
In this post I will share brief notes from the two other wine tasting sessions. January 27, 2011 I tasted the following five Spanish wines:
- Marqués Monistrol Seleccion Cava (Semi Seco), a great sparkling wine made using the champagne method. It would be good with an appertizer or dessert. I rated it "bien" (good).
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| Marqués Monistrol Seleccion Cava (Semi Seco) © Spaswinefood |
- Abadia de San Campio Rias Baixas Albariño DO 2009, a white wine that was rated 87 by Wine Spectator and 89 by Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar. I liked it and rated it " bien".
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| Abadia de San Campio Rias Baixas Albariño DO 2009 © Spaswinefood |
- Marqués de Riscal Tempranillo VT 2007, is a good overall Tempranillo. On the nose for me it had an earthy, woody smell and on the palate it was fruity. I liked it, and rated it "bien".
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| Marqués de Riscal Tempranillo VT 2007 © Spaswinefood |
- Prado Rey Ribera del Duero DO 2008 is a good young red Crianza. I liked it, and rated it "bien"
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| Prado Rey Ribera del Duero DO 2008 © Spaswinefood |
- Lealtanza Bodegas Altanza Rioja DOC 2004, is also a Tempranillo. I liked it, and rated it "bien plus", which is not quite "excellente" (excellent). Snooth also gives it good marks.
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| Lealtanza Bodegas Altanza Rioja DOC 2004 © Spaswinefood |
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| Bistrot Cinq © Spaswinefood |
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| Julie makes wine tasting so much fun © Spaswinefood |
- Veuve du Vernay Brut , a sparkling wine that was served as an appetizer. It liked it and rated it "bien menos". Snooth rated it similarly.
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| Veuve du Vernay Brut © Spaswinefood |
- Louis Latour Chablis Cote de Beaune 2006, a white wine, which I rated "bien".
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| Louis Latour Chablis Cote de Beaune 2006 © Spaswinefood |
- Domaine de Sandar Beaujolais 2009, a young beaujolais that I gave a "bien menos". I know you ideally drink beaujolais young but, it tasted "a little bland" on the palate for me.
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| Domaine de Sandar Beaujolais 2009 © Spaswinefood |
- Bourgogne Bouchard Pere and Fils La Vignée Cote-d'Or, a Pinot Noir that I liked and rated "bien".
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| Bourgogne Bouchard Pere and Fils La Vignée Cote-d'Or © Spaswinefood |
- Maison Bouachon La Tiare du Pape Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005, another red that I liked and rated "bien plus". Snooth has described this wine.
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| Maison Bouachon La Tiare du Pape Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2005 © Spaswinefood |
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| Cheese with caramelized onions © Spaswinefood |
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| Bistro Cinq © Spaswinefood |
Sharon
Antigua, Guatemala
February 2011
© Spaswinefood
© Spaswinefood
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