Here’s a perfect example of how a good wine need not be an expensive wine: On a recent trip to my local grocer I came across a display of a new “house” wine composed of a single grape variety called “Grenache”. This 2004 wine from a local distributor comes from a southern region of France where the Grenache grape, originally a Spanish grape, abounds and from where we get well known French denominations such as Cotes du Rhone and Cotes de Provence.

I picked it up without hesitation, since I am used to experimenting with “new” wines and have always been pleasantly surprised. Once again, the little wine turned out very well. A well rounded and balanced wine, the nose is spicy with sweet dark fruit. The consistency is pleasant on the palate. A refreshing acidity, and a very harmonious bouquet of figs and citrus fruit, with just the right amount of tannins, give this wine a good body. Of course, being a very young wine, it retains a youthful character which, for this wine, is quite enjoyable.

Because of its spicy nose and citrus palate, I decided to pair this with a lighter smoke with rather spicy, floral and woody notes: The Romeo Y Julieta (Cuba) Romeos No. 1 de Luxe… mmm, I just love it when a plan comes together.