SOMETIMES IT’S JUST BLIND LUCK

A week or so ago, we were in Sacramento for a wedding and, after picking us up at the airport, Holly’s brother, Brian, drove us to a tapas bar downtown (inappropriately named Tapa the World, since the city is flat as a pancake) for some food and wine.  Brian asked me to select a wine and handed me the list.  The list was substantial, so I confined myself to Spanish wines and that helped a little.  There were separate pages for Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, etc., with each page containing 20 to 30 wines.  I knew a few of them – Pesquera, Condado de Haza, Aalto and the pricey wines such as Vega Sicilia “Unico” and Pingus (both in multiple vintages, wow!), but wanted to try something I had never experienced and could afford, so I asked the server for assistance.  Well, this server was either a beer drinker or, much worse, a teetotaler, because she admitted she knew nothing about wines.  Back to the list, I decided to first pick a price point and then a wine.  I thought I recognized the name of a good Rioja producer (Artadi) and ended up buying a bottle of the Artadi Vinas de Gain, for about $45.

I picked the 2006 vintage from the multiple years offered under the scientific theory of “not too young, not too old.”  This was a lovely and satisfying wine with ample Tempranillo fruit and very nice structure and we thoroughly enjoyed it with our meal.  When I got back home, I looked it up online only to discover that Parker’s Wine Advocate had given it a 92 and had even detected hints of truffle.  (Well good for them.)  The kicker is that the retail price is $36.  Boy, do I look like a genius – well, at least for the time being.  I should only do as well with my stock picks.

Yes, There Was Food as Well! This is the Pimientos del Piquillo Rellenos which is roasted red peppers stuffed with grilled eggplant, caramelized onions and Manchego cheese. It is served with roasted red pepper sauce and sweet black risotto. Looks good, doesn’t it?