LUZON VERDE 2006 at the great price of $ 8.99 is certified organic and made from 100% Monastrell (a varietal also known as Mourvèdre in France). You’ll enjoy the crystal ruby color with a violet halo as you swirl and release the aroma of blueberries and cherries. This full-bodied wine is packed with dark fruits, slightly herbaceous and spicy with a hint of cocoa nibs before tobacco bursts forth, ending in a smooth finish softened by ripe tannins.

The Wine Advocate rated it an 89. Not bad for an affordable organic wine.  Wines from Jumilla are generally ripe and jammy, with loads of dark berry fruit intertwined with spicy notes, chocolate and tea. Very versatile for food pairings and modestly priced, they’re a great accompaniment to Chinese take-out (like a heaping plate of barbeque spare ribs), perfect for those summer nights when you just don’t feel like roasting in the kitchen to prepare your meal.

If you’d like to explore the region, it’s slightly inland from the Mediterranean Sea in the province of Murica and Albaceta with 30,000 hectares among 44 vineyards that produce about 26 million liters of wine annually. Created as a DO in 1966, Jumilla has undergone a revolution in the past few decades. The new generation of wines has helped the region to blossom and prosper.

In mid-August, the Fiesta de la Vendimia culminates in a final night of revelry during which the fountains release wine, not water and party goers notoriously throw the wine around as if caught in a swirling frenzy, so be sure to wear dark clothing you may never be able to wear again.

A little off the beaten track from all the festivities and vineyards, through olive and almond trees, you can find affordable lodging in a 2 bedroom apt. with a pool and views of the Sierra Carche mountain range.

Savor the last month of summer and throw caution (and wine) to the wind!

The signature Carignan grape in the appellation Corbières is one of the world’s most prolific wine varieties, blended in many vins de table wines. This grape is a late-budder and doesn’t ripen until late in the season. Highly prone to mildew, it requires long, dry growing conditions and although it is not reputed as a great varietal, on these sloping hillsides with low yields, it is picked at full maturity, losing some of its austerity and gaining more finesse. Carignan rarely enjoys a marquee presence on wine labels as a varietal and in this case is blended with grenache noir and syrah. Grenache Noir, equally a traditional Languedoc grape imparts wonderful fruit and generosity while the Syrah with its moderate yields provides subtle floral aromas and red fruit flavors.

Why ride the donkey, you finally ask? They’re prominently displayed on the label and reflect the philosophy behind the domaine. Stubborn and doing their own thing off the beaten track, they follow their convictions unlike the mainstream and depart from conventional wine making.

If medieval villages, 12th century castles and vineyards situated in valleys surrounded by mountains or on slopes spilling down to salt lakes and the sea are appealing, then The Corbières of Languedoc is a great destination for your next wine tasting expedition.

Castle Rock is not a winery per se but a company that produces quality yet affordable wines from grapes grown in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Mendocino County, Monterey County, Alexander Valley, Russian River Valley, Willamette Valley and Columbia Valley. Their consulting winemaker August Briggs is known for making some of the best value Pinots around, many from California’s top regions.

Although you won’t be making a stop at this non-existent winery, there are many wonderful vineyards in this beautiful region that encompass the Russian River and Alexander Valleys. You can visit through a back road bike tour which includes a ride through the ancient coast redwoods, the tallest living things on the planet, as you navigate through the Armstrong State Natural Reserve. These gargantuan trees typically live to be 500-1,000 years old, grow to a diameter of 12-16 feet, and stand from 200-250 feet tall. Some trees have even survived over 2000 years and tower above 350 feet.

At the end of your vigorous ride, sample wonderful wine, indulge in a hearty guilt-free meal and kickback at a local inn with this all inclusive trip .
p.s. If you want to experience a slightly higher priced Pinot Noir from Castle Rock, check out their 2006 Monterey County Pinot Noir which scored an 86 in the May 2008 Wine Spectator for its “wild berry flavors, good focus and depth, spicy, toasty notes and a pleasant candied berry flavor on the finish.” It was also rated as one of the best American Wines under $ 15 in the Pinot Noir category by Food & Wine Magazine.

The warm days of summer are almost upon us — time to break out the white wine. Versatile as an aperitif and food-friendly, Sauvignon Blanc is as varied in style and complexity as are completely different varietals.

At a recent gathering of starving artists, the 2006 Baron D’Aliénor Bordeaux Sauvignon was a real crowd pleaser. Made from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grapes, this bone dry wine with apple on the nose and slightly herbaceous is unoaked, crisp, tart and citrusy on the palate — a vibrant acidity with a subtle mineral finish.

No small feat the plethora of Sauvignon Blanc from Bordeaux if you consider the fact that 50% of the white grapes from 1979-1986 were uprooted due to the exploding popularity of red, but at $ 7/bottle we can’t expect old vines or even a “mise en bouteille au chateau“, can we?

About 7,207 acres of Sauvignon Blanc is planted in this region while twice as much Semillon grapes are grown here. In many cases these two grapes are blended for a deliciously complex and harmonious wine, so be an adventurer.

Perfect for a Memorial Day beach BBQ a la Bobby Flay  the Baron, as we call this best kept secret, is equally delicious with seafood or even fresh salsa. You’d be surprised how well it goes with garlic, tomatoes, avocado and cilantro. So whip up a great salsa, grab a bag of chips/crisps (no genetically modified ones, please), a big blanket, an ice chest of the Baron and meet your friends at the beach to gather up drift wood, build a fire and roast your main course for a groovy Memorial Day celebration.

The Douro Valley in Portugal is a spectacular landscape of steep terraces carved into granite hills sloping down to the banks of the Douro River. Although famous for Port, sweet fortified wines, my preference leans toward very dry reds (no fruit bombs, please!).

So I was thrilled to find the inexpensive but tasty Porca de Murca 2005 from producer Real Companhia Velha. Made from a blend of indigenous grapes it is rich ruby in color and medium bodied with subtle notes of cherry and black berry and a pleasant, slightly astringent finish reminiscent of Darjeeling tea with just a hint of pepper and spice. Not bad for just $5 a bottle.

If you’re so inclined to explore the region, check out Like-A-Local and travel like a native!