The Fall 2009 YCECA Wine Social will be held Friday, October 16, 2009 from 6:30 – 8:30 pm (actually, it usually lasts until 9:00 pm when our “host venue” strongly encourages us to leave so they can close).  It will again be at Pasadena Liquors and Fine Wines.  Please mark your social calendars now!!

The theme will be Wines from Spain and Portugal.   I worked with Tom Garfalo (our local YCECA wine expert) and Pete Celli (who also provides a wine column – Wining with Pasadena Pete for our Website) to develop a great Tasting Menu, based on a combination of variety and price.  The Tasting List:

Wine Selection	Type	Country, Region	Description	Retail Price
Aveleda Alvarinho Vinho Verde, 2007	Red	Portugal, Vinho Verde	The Alvarinho Grape is a low yield, high quality grape from the Vinho Verde Region.  This is Portugal's largest D.O.C. (Domain of Origin Control) region, located on the Northwest part of Portugal.  It is juicy, with a rich mouth feel, and fresh flavors of apple gooseberry, orange and spice.  It is well-structured, with a mineral-tinged finish.  Wine Spectator gave it an 88 point rating.	$11.99
Porca de Murca Blended, 2006	Red	Portugal, Douro	The Douro Region of Portugal is a wild mountainous area, situated around the Douro River, starting at the Spanish border and extending west into Northern Portugal.  This wine is a blend of reg grapes:  Touriga Nacional, Touriga Francesa, and Tinta Roriz.	$10.99
Telmo Rodroguez "Basa" Blanco, 2007	White	Spain, Rueda	From The Rueda Region, located northwest of Madrid.  The lime and grapefruit flavors are mouthwatering in this juicy white.  The wine is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Viura, and Verdejo grapes.  Robert Parker describes this wine as a "terrific value," and the Wine Spectator awarded it 86 points.	$15.99
Bodegas Luzon Monastrell Syrah, 2007	Red	Spain, Jumilla	The Jumilla Region is situated in the Provinces of Murica and Albacete in southeastern Spain. This is a red blend with tobacco, herb, and smoked meat aromas.  Powerfully fruity and spicy in the mouth with a long minty finish.  Out of thousands of wines tasted, the Wine enthusiast Magazine voted this as the "number one best value" wine of the year in 2008.	$9.99
Juan Gil "Wrongo-Dongo", 2007	Red	Spain, Jumilla	Also from the Jumilla region, this wine is 100% Monastrell Grape sourced from Gil's Estate Vineyards.  Purple colored and exceptionally fragrant, it exudes mineral, spice box and blueberry aromas.   Smooth and easy going on the palate, this wine matches up nicely with Paella.	$8.99
Bodegas Bilbainas Vina Zaco Tempranillo, 2006	Red	Spain, Rioja	From Rioja, the smallest region of mainland Spain; yet, it is one of the most important wine growing areas of Europe.  Black cherry and blackberry flavors are framed by smoky chocolate oak.  Shows firm tannins and bright acidity.  The Wine Spectator magazine selected this wine as a "smart buy" and awarded it 90 points.	$12.99
Bodegas San Alejandro "Las Rocas" Garnacha, 2006	Red	Spain, Calatayud	Garnacha is the most widely planted grape in Spain, often used in blends.  In recent times it is being recognized as a grape that has much to offer in its own right.  The Garnacha grapes (also call Grenache) in this wine are sourced from high altitude 70 too 100 year old vines in the Zaragosa Province.  Dark, crimson-colored with an alluring nose of black cherry and black raspberry.  Smooth with ho hard edges, this wine's tasty effort is designed for immediate gratification.  Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate gives this beauty a 91 point score.  He adds ... "This wine is worth buying by the case."	$17.99
Sandeman "Character" Amontillado	Sherry	Spain, Analucia	This medium-dry Amontillado Sherry is from Southern Spain's Andalucia Region.  It is a premium quality sherry aged in small casks, where the pale wine slowly evolves into a medium gold amber.  A small amount of Pedro Xinenez grape sherry is blended in to make a medium dry wine with a touch of sweetness.  A traditional match for soups, this sherry is a good companion to pates, smoked meats, rich seafood and some cheeses.  Well-chilled, it is excellent as an aperitif.	$15.99
Beer Selection	Type	Country	Description
Michelob Original	Lager	U.S.A.
Michelob Ultra	Low-Carb Lager	U.S.A.
Non-alcholic Beverages	Water & Soda		Available in cooler next to Food Selections Table