Seize the Day and Escape to Spain

by Frank Mangio
Of all the great wine countries of the world, Spanish wines seem the most mysterious.  There’s a lot to learn. In my two trips to Spain , once to Barcelona in the northeast and Granada , in the south, Barcelona was easily the most vibrant city. Its all-night wineries and wine bars, called Bodegas,
only start getting interesting past 10pm.  If you are an early riser, you might hear the last of the revelers at 6am, along with the roosters.

In the old town districts of Barcelona, you’ll want to be sure to visit La Rambla  where all kinds of people stroll the boulevards, enjoying vast vegetable  and  flower stands, handicraft, outdoor theatre and our favorite stops, flamenco guitarists and Spanish bodegas.

To give you an idea of the vastness of this marketplace, there are really 5 different “Ramblas”  and two massive squares.  If you go, look for the Rambla de Caputxins or “del Centre,” typified by its side-street bars such as La Opera or Los Italianos. Just about every evening, locals and visitors go to see, and be seen.  Tempranillo is the wine of choice in Barcelona and elsewhere.  Grown primarily in the nearby Riojas district, it’s a mellow red with soothing aroma and flavor with aging potential.  It’s often compared with France ’s Pinot Noir and Italy ’s Sangiovese.

Before leaving Barcelona , I must point out that a jaw-dropping sight to behold is the work-in-progress great temple in the La Sagrada Familia district, by the architect Gaudi in 1891.  Parts of the neo gothic structure are still in need of completion.

Another vast and important wine country next to Portugal , also known for Tempranillo wines, is Ribera Del Duero that follows the course of the Duero River that eventually flows into  Douro and Porto in Portugal .  At their best, Ribera De Duero wines are deeply concentrated, richly textured and without high tannins or alcohol.

The countryside of one of Spain ’s top wine countries, the Ribera De Duero,
in the northwest, near Portugal.

Here, you will find the prestigious Vega-Sicilia Unico, considered Spain ’s most sophisticated wines.
A vintage to keep in mind when purchasing Spanish wines is the 2010 harvest.  The major wine countries of Spain all scored 92 and higher. 2011 did just as well in most varietal categories.
San Diego State’ s College of Extended Studies is inaugurating Wine Education Abroad with a private group journey through Spain’s wine country, notably Catalonia, Rioja and the Basque Regions, October 9 to 17 of this year.

The university promises to “sample wines from the barrel, walk through vineyards by the sea, learn the harvest process, prune grapevines, and even crush grapes under foot…..along the way, dine everywhere from an ancient wine cave to a medieval village to modernist pintxos bars.”  Another feature is the private wine classes daily. A local guide and translator will be part of the trip.  Arrival will be in Barcelona , my favorite part of the country.  A four hour “tapas route” through the Gothic Quarter is planned.  For more information on this singular opportunity to know Spanish wines, e mail:  wine@mail.sdsu.edu, or visit neverstoplearning.net/winetravel. According to the school, deposits are due by March 2nd.

Meet the Mola Men of Del Mar Plaza, and The Wines They Love

by Frank Mangio
Mola Gastro Bar, upstairs in the Del Mar Plaza, is drawing a lot of big time party people since it opened a short time ago.  Meet and greets love the format that promotes easy getting-to-know you over a glass of wine and a tapas or two.  An inviting combination of an inside bar room and a generous outside dinner table plaza scene connect the fun. Jose Antonio Gomes is the G.M. that turns it on.

“We are something new and different, very colorful with murals crowded with smiling people raising wine glasses, and we have a  much bigger wine menu,” he soothed in a perfect Spanish accent.  Turns out that Mola means “cool” in Spanish, so the name is a perfect fit.

The cool Mola men include Jack Petty, bar manager and G.M. Jose Antonio Gomez,
revealing their favorite wines, led by a Hazana Tempranillo from Rioja Spain .

If you’ve ever traveled in the night life circles of Spain , say Barcelona , Marbella or Madrid , you know that night life begins at 10pm and ends with the last patron standing and that’s usually 7am. “We’re open 7 days a week from 3pm to when the last diner leaves,” said Antonio. Nineteen year-old chef  Eric Mendoza is great beyond his tender years.  His tapas list is long and flavorful.  Try the Lobster Croquettes, Fried Zucchini Blossoms or the trio of Mini Sliders: Margherita, Smoked House BBQ and Diablito.

If a big entrée is your thing, get the smoked short rib or Chilean sea bass. Jack Petty is the Bar Manager and he opened up a Spanish wine that had it all going, a blend that was his personal favorite.  It had  65% Garnacha, 35% Tempranillo that was high on flavor and big on berries.

Eric Mendoza is the chef at Mola, a Tapas bar that’s turning heads at the Del Mar Plaza.

Hazana is the brand and like many wines from Spain , you get flavor, quality and a value wine at a little price. And Mola is not just Spain .  They offer name brand California premiums like Silver Oak ’09 and 10’s.  Give them a call at 858-792-0209.

More About Spanish Wines
Spain has more land under vine than any other country in the world and many wine styles.  But most Spanish wine drinkers know only Rioja for quality.  It’s a large district in the northeast, near the French border and produces some of the best Tempranillo in the country.  This is Spain ’s biggest selling red grape. The country has about a half dozen other quality wine countries like Ribera Del Duero, Priorat, Calatayud and La Mancha .  Here’s the thing that makes the wines adventurous and something of an experiment.  Many of the winemakers are still first or second generation families. I have tasted lovely Tempranillos and Garnachas but I am hard pressed to give you household names as in other more familiar neighbor countries like France and Italy .

Spain is coming off its 2011 vintage new releases, and the wine is being judged as excellent. A good start might be a 2011 Artadi Tempranillo or Garnacha.  Both should be under $20. a bottle.
Las Rocas would be another name to try.

Wine Bytes
Marina Kitchen next to the Convention Center in San Diego and Advanced Sommelier Joshua Orr presents Wine Wednesday, a learning and tasting event most Wednesday nights from 6 to 7pm.  $20. pp with only 12 seats to a class + $10. off towards dinner the evening of the class + 50% off a bottle of wine not to exceed $50. Next class is “Great Value Wines” Oct. 29.   RSVP at 619-234-1500 .

Wedge Escondido happens Sat. Oct. 25 downtown Escondido from 1 to 5pm.  It’s a taste of Grand Ave. with a cheese flair.  $35. “passport” gets you 25+ cheeses, wine, beer and restaurant tasting stops.  $45. after 10/18. Get tickets at 949-280-6482.

Gen 7 Wines, premium wines made by San Diegan Tim Bacino, is celebrating its 2014 Fall Release Party Sun. Oct. 26 from 1 to 4pm in Rancho Sante Fe with an Oktoberfest theme.  Details, cost and location at 844-436-7946. x700.

Vittorio’s Restaurant in Carmel Valley presents a Gundlach Bundschu Wine Dinner Thurs.  Oct. 30 at 6pm.  Chef Angelo carefully crafted the perfect menu to pair with great wines like Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Merlot and Mt. Cuvee .  $49.50 pp.  Call 858-538-5884.

The “Dia de los Vinos” celebration is at Meritage Wine Market in Encinitas Sat. Nov. 1 from 3 to 6pm.  This is a wine and taco fiesta with Mexican winemakers and vineyard managers from Napa Valley .  Cost is $20. ea.  RSVP at 760-479-2500.