Pasta Con Ragu Di Vitello, Salsicce E Porcini (Pasta With Veal, Sausage and Porcini Ragu)

http://nancyscuisuine.blogspot.com/2011/10/pasta-con-ragu-di-vitello-salsicce-e.html

A perfect recipe to pair with the Campo Viejo Rioja Crianza. If you can find the 2007, even better, buy a case!

Campo Viejo 2008 Crianza Rioja

Campo Viejo is developing a good reputation for their Riojas. Medium bodied with good fruit mainly cherry, strawberry and plum with notes of smoke (toasted wood? vanilla?) The wine opened in a short time (15 minutes) and became very well balanced. A very nice long finish. It seems to be complex and adaptable enough to pair with a variety of foods.

Paiiring: Lamb, paella, pasta

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Heredad Cava (Non-vintage)

An interesting Spanish Cava (sparkling wine) that you might buy if for nothing else but the bottle. As a Cava it is decent, and drinkable though nothing remarkable. Not particularly tasty or memorable and the effervescence was mediocre. The bottle itself is cast in real metal accents which gives it a nice display presence on your side table or when serving. Careful when pouring , this bottle is HEAVY. At the price you can afford to have a bottle and be a little showy.

Pairing: anything

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Marcus James 2010 Malbec

Argentina seems to have become the dominant power in the world for Malbecs. After all, they produce decent wines at a very decent price. Sadly there are few that excel. This wine is another in that seemingly endless list. The Marcus James 2010 Malbec is very easy drinking, although it tends to be a little on the tart (acid) side. Medium body with a decent finish.

Pairing: Pork, turkey, duck

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Kim Crawford 2004 Cabernet Franc

For those of us that really like a good Cab Franc, this one will not disappoint. Its a bit out of my price range for every day, but nice as a treat. Medium bodied with and excellent balance of black and red fruits. Lots of plum and a hint of something ... maybe chocolate? Lovely long finish.

Paiiring: Roast chicken, lasagna, cannelloni

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Buy

Alkoomi 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon

This is a wine that I have been saving for some time. I have been tempted to open it several times and finally gave into the temptation. I have always wanted to use the term "elegant" and now I can!

Wow! This is an excellent wine at 10 years. A full body Cabernet Sauvignon at the peak of its development. Incredible depth. Black fruits with amazing balance. Some notes of spice on the back end, but predominantly a taste of fully ripe big sweet wild blueberry and an incredibly long satisfying finish.

Trust me although this is a wine that will pair nicely with an elegant meal, you will want to sit and sip (listening to some nice music - maybe some Ella Fitzgerald.)

Pairing: Rack of lamb, prime rib, ossobuco (any elegant meal)

Not available at LCBO

Recommendation: BUY

Castillo de Monseran 2010 Garnacha

I dont seem to have much luck picking Spanish wines. This one was so-so. A medium body featured tart red fruit with very little balance. The best I could say for it was "meh".

Pairing: pork, turkey

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK

Penascal 2008 Tempranillo

Another disappointing Spanish Tempranillo. Medium/full body but with no depth. I found it unbalanced with an emphasis on the red unripe fruits (tart cherry).

Pairing: roast pork or turkey

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: Pass

Candidato 2008 Tempranillo Garnacha

I was hoping for a little more from this wine, but for the price, I wasn't surprised. It isn't very memorable and it certainly didn't deliver what the label promised. Medium body, not much depth. Red fruit (mostly cherry and notes of strawberry) were not particularly well balanced.

Pairing: roast pork

Available at LCBO

Recommendation: OK