From: La Mancha, Spain

Varietals: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha

Tasting Notes: A bouncy and expressive nose of black currant, plums and cherries opens to an equally cheerful and lively palate. Black cherries, cassis, red and black plums, baking spice notes and Mediterranean herbs reminiscent of olive tapenade come together in a complete whole that’ll have you wanting another glass before you know it. Supple, smooth tannins hold these balanced flavors in place, and the fresh fruit tones in the wine add to a lifted, clean finish.

Pairing: This wine is extremely versatile for pairing with anything from pizza to steaks. You could bring it to your next barbecue to enjoy alongside grilled sausages, steaks, and veggies (especially eggplant, bell peppers, and mushrooms). Burgers, tacos, weeknight takeout favorites, gyros, kebabs, and even teriyaki would also be easy, delicious pairings with this breezy red. For a non-fussy pairing, we’re sharing this Spanish twist on an American comfort food classic: Rhoda Boone’s recipe for Pigs-in-a-Blanket With Chorizo, Membrillo, and Manchego. (This wine would also taste great with the classic version of pigs in a blanket, if you want to go that route.)

About. This wine is called “Amigo de la Tierra,” which translates to “friend of the earth.” The philosophy of the grower is that the earth needs its friends and the friends need the earth. Their organic and sustainable wines are not only good quality, but they’re made with the people who make them in mid.

Organic wines are grown all over Spain, especially in the drier and more isolated communities like La Mancha or Jumilla. These regions offer a wide variety of climates and sub-regions that produce grapes with great quality and style. The grapes for Amigo de la Tierra are grown in a part of Spain's central southern plain known as La Mancha. This area is a plateau which is being gently pushed and raised from the east. The gentle mountains to the east are the watershed for the region, but instead of a great river and valleys on the surface, the river Guadiana largely flows underground.

This means that the dry climate is perfect for organic farming, while there is access to subterranean water which allows for drip irrigation which can sustain the plants throughout the summers, which can be hot and dry. This Tempranillo-Garnacha blend was made in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.