Eschew Obfuscation: Rivola 2003, Sardon de Guero

Rivola 2003, Sardon de Guero

Max Dunn — Fri, 19 May 2006 23:49:00 -0700

We have been starting to enjoy Spanish wines, particularly since we are running into quite a few high quality wines at low prices. However, many of them are quite earthy, which I enjoy but Suzanne finds a little to much like they fell on the floor and were sweeped up again.

However, we have both really enjoyed this Rivola since it has nice fruit overtones without too much earth. Suzanne says she is not sure what flavors she tastes in it, which definitely makes it interesting since she always can articulate the subtle flavors in wine.

We got it at Hi-Time, might be some left.

4 out of 5 stars

"Rivola 2003, Sardon de Guero" by Max Dunn

Mon, 22 May 2006 11:05:20 -0700

If I recall, Sangria is made by putting fruit and maybe 7-Up? in wine. If so, then the wine itself won’t be as important because the other ingredients will contribute to the overall flavor.

I don’t buy much wine at Costco because they only carry the high volume wines which tend to be rather predictable and really no bargain for the price. I don’t buy much at Trader Joe’s because I haven’t had much luck finding good wines, even though I like the prices.

So if I had to recommend a decent, inexpensive wine from one of these two, I would recommend the Trader Joe’s, Charles Shaw Merlot. Some people make fun of this wine, but before it became well known, I served it at a party in Healdsburg where quite a few of the people are really into wine. Asking how they enjoyed it, almost everyone thought it was really nice.

So I would recommend using the Charles Shaw Merlot: just hide the bottles after you make it and then everyone will like it just fine.

"Rivola 2003, Sardon de Guero" by cbd

Sun, 21 May 2006 22:28:05 -0700

I need a fruity red wine - preferably inexpensive - to use in making Sangria for a Memorial Day party. We have access to Trader Joe’s and Costco but no “Hi Time”. What would you suggest?