Our blind-tasting pair are in for a treat, and so are you if you taste along with them.

Garnacha originated in northeastern Spain. It is a heat-loving drought resistant grape. It spread around the Mediterranean and up into France where it is known as Grenache.

Grenache is mostly a blending grape so getting a single variety wine can be difficult. Winemakers love it for blending because of its darker color and fuller body, medium tannins, and fruitiness. Denise loves it.

Tonight, Dennis and Denise taste three affordable Grenache wines. (maybe two that are affordable, the third is pricey, but again it's hard to find a single variety Grenache) Our three wines include:

1. 2017 Granito del Cadalso from Madrid, Spain. I purchased it from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $14.63. It comes from a co-op in the Sierra de Gredos, made from all old-vine Garnacha and grown in granite soils. It was destemmed and brought up all in concrete tanks. This Pinot Noir-like beauty offers notes of wild strawberries, rose hips, violets, and crushed rocks. Medium-bodied, with remarkable purity and vibrancy, it still has ample power and richness. This fabulous expression of Grenache is almost too good to be true.

2. 2018 Centenaria Garnacha from Campo De Borja, Spain. We purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $15.83. Rich and velvety, big but gentle with raspberry jam, cherry pie and vanilla flavors. Well-integrated tannins give subtle structure, while citrusy acidity keeps this fresh. Fruit centered.

3. 2017 Idle Cellars Grenache from Sonoma County, a wine we purchased at Wine Styles for $37.00. Dry, fruit-forward but well balanced with acid, tannins, and body. Raspberries, cinnamon, cherries, strawberries, star anise, and black cherries are some of the flavors that come through. An adult fruit roll-up if you will. It pairs well with seared tuna, steak, roasted root vegetables, braised short ribs, and carnitas tacos.

Next week we will be tasting Rose. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2023 Kirkland Provence, purchased at Costco for $7.99.

2. 2023 Ro Substance Rose’, it was purchased at Costco for $9.99

3. 2023 Illahe Tempranillo Rose’. This was purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $19.99.

Chardonnay is probably the most loved and hated wine in the world. Have you heard of ABC – (Anything But Chardonnay)? Some people dislike it, but it is still the world's most planted

white wine grape. Why is it hated? We will try to find the answer in this episode.

If you think you don’t like Chardonnay, maybe you haven’t tried the right one.

Chardonnay is grown in nearly all wine regions, and it produces wines from bright and crisp to heavily oaked and buttery.

Vineyard owners like Chardonnay because it is a hearty grape that grows in various climates. Winemakers like Chardonnay because of its versatility.

Tonight, Dennis and Denise taste three affordable Chardonnays. Our three wines include.

1. The 2022 Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis https://www.seguinot-bordet.com/en/ from Burgundy, France. I purchased this wine from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $27.99. Tasting notes: Acidic with balance. Green apple, citrus, pineapple, toasted oak, vanilla, butter, and salinity.

2. The 2020 Aviary Chardonnay https://www.folktalegroup.com/aviary-vineyards

from Napa Valley. We purchased it from Costco for $11.99. I found this wine for sale online mostly in the $14-$18 range. Tasting notes: oak, butter, vanilla, cream, banana, yogurt, pear, apple, and melon.

3. The 2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay, a wine we purchased at Costco for $7.99. The Reverse Wine Snob https://www.reversewinesnob.com/ said it had, aromas of apples, citrus, and a touch of toasty oak. WineEnthusiast https://www.wineenthusiast.com/ gave it a 90. Tropical notes of pineapple and papaya, white nectarine. Some stone fruits and hints of florals, baking spice. Finishes with lemon zest and vanilla crème brulee.

Next week we will be tasting Grenache. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2017 Granito del Cadalso from Madrid, Spain. I purchased this wine at our

local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $14.63.

2. 2017 Idle Cellars Grenache from Sonoma County, a wine we purchased at the West Des Moines Wine Styles for $37.00.

3. 2018 Centenaria Garnacha from Campo De Borja, Spain. We again purchased it from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $15.91.

Chianti is a classic Italian wine. It has come a long way from the basket wines found in the checkered tablecloth restaurants of the past century. Tonight, our two blind tasters will pair Chianti with some cheese. Join them as they taste these three wines.

1. 2021 Kirkland Riserva Classico ($8.99) from Costco https://costcowineblog.com/

2. 2021 Gabbiano Calvaliera D’Ore https://www.castellogabbiano.it/ ($11.99) from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store

3. 2020 Peppoli Chianti Classico https://www.antinori.it/ ($24.99) from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store.

Other Sangiovese based wines from Italy.

Brunello di Montalcino

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

Morellino di Scansano

Carmignano

Sagrantino di Montefalco

Sangiovese di Romagna

Tignanello (80% Sangiovese- 15% Cabernet Sauvignon – 5% Cabernet Franc)

Bibi Graetz (100% from old vines)

Nielluccio – Corsica (France)

Next week we will be tasting Chardonnay. The three wines we will taste include:

1. 2022 Domaine Seguinot-Bordet Chablis from Burgundy, France. I purchased from our local Wall to Wall Wine Store for $27.99.

2. 2020 Aviary Chardonnay from Napa Valley. We purchased from Costco for $11.99. I found this wine for sale online mostly in the $14-$18 range.

3. 2022 Kirkland Signature Sonoma County Chardonnay, a wine we purchased at Costco for $7.99.