La Mancha and Levante
Details
This concludes the series on Spain's wine regions (for this year anyway). This time we explore the eastern edges of Castilla la Mancha (where half of all Spain's vineyards are located!) and Valencia (the land of paella and oranges) on the Mediterranean coast. Not exactly the regions that are top of mind for Spanish wines, but there are gems to be unearthed.
We will be feasting family style at Wu's Wonton King in Chinatown, a favorite among the BYOB crowd and highly renowned for their Cantonese dishes. Here is a NYT article from 2017.
Here is their menu:
Wu's Wonton King menu
Given the portion sizes, we will share family style, and split the bill evenly.
I am inclined to order the following dishes for the group. If your dietary restrictions make you uncomfortable with these choices, please do not sign up.
West Lake beef soup
Pan Fried Noodle with Seafood
Crispy Aromatic Chicken
Peking Pork Chops
Rack of Lamb
House Special Style Grouper fillet
Young Chow Fried Rice
(Hat tip to Dan; I tasted many of these dishes during his event a couple of months ago).
For the wines, you will prepay $23. There will be 1 white and 3 reds.
To make bill paying smoother, please bring cash, or use Zelle/Venmo/Paypal to pay your share.
Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $10 service fee.
Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!
Below are the wines
Castilla la Mancha
# 2023 Bodegas Ponce "Reto"
Grape - albillo
Appellation - DO Manchuela
The wine comes from the high-altitude wine region east of Madrid from cool-sited vineyards. This Albillo wine has a characteristic blend of silky crisp fruit and is balanced to create a medium-bodied palate noted by the bright acidity and cool minerality that marks all of Ponce's wines. This deliciously unique and balanced Albillo pairs beautifully with rich seafood, pestos, grilled poultry, and cheese plates.
Very elegant and refined with green apple, stone fruits, green tea, chamomile, spices, and limestony minerality. Multi-layered with a great length.
# 2024 Envinate "Albahra"
Grape - 70% garnacha tintorera (aka alicante bouschet), not the same as garnacha/grenache, 30% moravia agria
Appellation - Albacete/Almansa subzone
Envinate's story sounds like something out of a movie — four friends meet at university and band together to create gorgeous wines, respecting the local grapes and traditions of their respective hometowns, in hugely varied corners of Spain. It sounds like a lark, but these four friends are making some of the most iconic wines of the New Spain movement.
On the eastern side of the Iberian peninsula, is where we find Envínate’s most unique cuvée, Albahra. Albahra is a savory, spicy, silky blend of 70% Garnacha Tintorera and 30% Moravia Agria, a rare grape with high acidity and low alcohol.
It’s the perfect kind of wine for the in-between period of late summer and early fall. Drink it with a bit of a chill and pair with just about anything under the sun.
Valencia
# 2021 Bodegas Mustiguillo Mestizaje Tinto
Grape - 75% bobal 15% garnacha 10% syrah
Appellation - Vino de Pago El Terrerazo (Utiel-Requena)
Bobal is the third most planted grape variety in all of Spain. Who knew?!
The high-yielding vine was historically regarded as only useful for simple, acidic red & rosé wines destined for the local Co-Op. Recently, a handful of quality-minded growers, using artisanal farming and vinification, are producing highly individual wines with true complexity.
Deep in color with an intriguing nose of black fruits, violets, cedar and black pepper. The fleshy dark fruit flavors of blackberry and black currant are lifted by brink mineral acidity (this is where those limestone soils come through) and fine tannins. Leaves you on a nice sweet and spicy finish, a perfect pair with anything cooked over fire & smoke.
92 pts Wine Advocate
# 2022 Pago Casa Gran Benasal Crux
Grape- monastrell (mourvedre for the Francophones)
Appellation - DO Valencia
"This medium-bodied dry red is made from a plot of Monastrell at a higher elevation. The fruit is harvested at night to preserve aromatic compounds, and the grapes are quickly brought to the winery. Fermented in stainless steel, this aged in foudres for one year. With aromas of forest berries, black cherries, earth, and sweet spices, this has fine tannic structure. " (Astor Wines)