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Origium Rosé from Cariñena, Spain | 2016 Garnacha Rosé Bodegas San Valero a Versatile Wine

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 Another perfect wine and food pairing.

Part of the discussion I have with guests, is how palates change over time. Mine certainly has. This year I've noticed that once again, I am enjoying Rosé more and more.

I also share with my guests that a good food pairing will elevate both the food and the wine. Alone they are good, but enjoyed together, they can be so much more.

Today I am sharing how well I enjoyed the Origium 2016 Garnacha Rosé by Bodegas San Valero. It was good, but was especially enjoyable with food. And it reinforced my viewpoint about elevated wine and food pairings. So very pleased with this wine and the dinner I prepared.

Cariñena is the second Denomination of Origin (D.O.) of Spain. The regional capital, Zaragoza, is halfway between Madrid and Barcelona and just two hours from France. The climate is continental, Grenache, Tempranillo, and Macabeo are the predominant varieties grown, along with the indigenous Cariñena variety. Also grown are Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.

Note: Cariñena is the home of the Cariñena grape (Carignan); it is likely the genetic home of Garnacha too.

 Note: The Cariñena region has more old vines of Garnacha planted than any other region in Spain, with over 1,600 growers. 

Bodegas San Valero was founded in 1944 by 60 winegrowers from the Cariñena region of Spain who mainly made bulk wine. Details on this vintage are sparse, but does not matter to me since I thoroughly enjoyed this bottle. When  you see this wine, buy it!

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Preparing dinner while sipping Origium 2016 Garnacha Rosé.

Tasting Notes

Color: Medium candy red.
Nose: Fresh rain, smoky cherry, rose petals, orange pith. Medium minus intensity.
Palate: Bright cherry, strawberry, creamy, medium body, tart edged, orange pith, very dry, textured, medium finish. Medium intensity.

Day two: Nope. Finished the bottle with dinner.

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Beautifully paired with fried pork chops and spinach salad.

Thoughts: This 2016 Garnacha Rosé wine did not survive dinner. We drank every last drop. I see no reason to eat out, when I can make a dinner like this at home. This wine was fabulous with breaded fried pork chops, and spinach salad with crumbled bacon and mustard dressing. A truly wonderful food wine, which put me in my happy place. Yes, it was fine alone as a sipping wine, but with food this wine was so much more enjoyable. Big smile.

Recommended for drinking.
Strongly Recommended for food.

Country: Spain
Region: Cariñena
Variety: Grenache
ABV: 12.5%
Closure: Aglomerated Cork
Sample provided by winery
SRP: $10
www.sanvalero.com

BODEGAS SAN VALERO S. COOP.
Ctra. Nacional 330, km 450
50400 Cariñena (Zaragoza), Spain

Email: bsv@sanvalero.com

Teléfono: +34 976 620 400
Horario especial verano (02/07/2018 al 31/09/2018)
Lunes a viernes de 07:00-15:00h.
TIENDA BODEGA
Teléfono: +34 976 620 930
Lunes a Viernes de 09:30 a 17:30 h.
Sábados, Domingos y Festivos de 11:00 a 15:00 h. (sujeto a visitas concertadas)

TIENDA URBANA
Teléfono: +34 976 622 001
Lunes a Sábado de 09:30 a 13:30 h
y de 16:00 a 19:30 h.
Domingos y Festivos de 10:00 a 14:00 h

D.O.P. Cariñena

The Cariñena region is in the middle valley of the Ebro river and includes 14 municipalities from Zaragoza: Aguarón, Aladrén, Alfamen, Almonacid de la Sierra, Alpartir, Cosuenda, Encinacorba, Longares, Mezalocha, Muel, Paniza, Tosos y Villanueva de Huerva.

Its wine tradition goes back to the third century BC, when the inhabitants from the Roman village Carae (currently Cariñena) drank wine mixed with honey.

The visit of king Philip II of Spain to Cariñena is popularly known. According to chronicles he was welcomed with public fountains spouting red and white wine – a tradition still kept alive. In 1909, king Alfonso XIII of Spain awarded Cariñena with the title of Town because of its arduous labor in the recovery of vineyards affected by the Phylloxera, a plague that devastated vineyards across Europe at the end of the 19th century.

In 1932, Cariñena obtained the first Designation of Origin in the Aragon region, being one of the first wineries in Spain obtaining this distinction well.

2011 saw the launch of the D.O.'s new campaign and slogan: "The wine of stones". A message that aims at marking the difference between Cariñena and other wines and denominations of origin, based on typical soil features in the area, as well as how stony land can be used to grow wonderful vines.

Cheers!
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