With social gatherings possible again, especially outdoor gatherings, you may need to start going big on your wine buys to accommodate your guests (wow – we can have guests!). By the way, when we say “go big”, we do not mean price tag. Large format bottles (bottles over 750ml) offer great value for buying in ‘bulk’ so to say, especially when we get to save money on them too! Right now, one of our favourite big bottles, Castillo de Almansa Reserva 1.5L, is $2.00 off, so we’re stocking up! How many people can safely fit in a backyard again?
Tasting Notes: Castillo de Almansa Reserva is a blend of Monastrell (Mourvèdre), Garnacha (Grenache) and Tempranillo aged in American oak for 12 months, creating flavours of raspberry, stewed plum, spices and vanilla with a smooth delivery and lingering finish.
Enjoy With: Grilled red meat of all kinds like burgers or sausages, Mexican dishes like tacos or nachos, charcuterie and hard cheeses like Manchego.
Style: A dry, rich, medium-bodied red wine.
Terroir/Region: The Almansa region of Spain is a plain sloping from 900m to 750m altitude down toward the ocean. Tradition still guides vineyard work in the region, with producers commonly dry-farming (not watering) their vineyards. Since rain is scarce here, this technique slows the vine’s growth and concentrates flavours in the grapes, creating dense, flavourful wines as a result.
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras has been family-owned and operated for over a century. Each generation has worked to build on the labours of its relatives, with the latest efforts being a push for organic certification. The family has named this bottling after the historic castle which stands in the heart of the Almansa region and is pictured on the label as a reminder of the past as it builds the future.
Availability: Castillo de Almansa Reserva is available in the Spain section of your local LCBO and the 1500ml bottle is $20.60 ($2.00 off) until July 18, so grab a bottle today!
Check LCBO store inventory
Price: $13.80 for 750mL; $20.60 for 1500mL, (Was $22.60, Save $2.00 until July 18, 2021)
LCBO #: 20736 (750 mL); 649749 (1500 mL)
Size: 750 mL;1500 mL
Alcohol Content: 14% alc./vol.
