1313 3rd St
International Falls, Minnesota 56649
(218) 283-8440

Dominio de Atauta Ribera Del Duero

Attributes:
Producer:

Dominio de Atauta
Region:

Spain
Varietal:

Tempranillo
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: Tanzer Rating: 90
Body:

solid
Complexity:

deep
Compliments:

elegant
Flavors:

cherry, dark fruit, mineral, smoky, spicy, violet
Fruit:

ripe, sweet

2004: WineSpectator Rating: 88
Acidity:

lively
Flavors:

blackberry, cassis, chocolate, coffee
Texture:

dense, strong

2004: WineAndSpirits Rating: 89
Flavors:

black cherry, black fruit, black pepper, strawberry
Fruit:

ripe, sweet

2003: Tanzer Rating: 91
Compliments:

powerful
Flavors:

blackberry, spicy, tar
Fruit:

sweet

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 88
Acidity:

fresh
Flavors:

black cherry, blackberry, espresso, mineral
Fruit:

fruity
Texture:

dense, strong

2002: Tanzer Rating: 89
Acidity:

bright
Aromas:

sulfur

2000: WineSpectator Rating: 83
Flavors:

black cherry, game, licorice

2000: Tanzer Rating: 89
Acidity:

fat, fresh
Flavors:

bitter, blackberry, chocolate, herbal flavors, strawberry, violet

Food Matches:
Cheese: Aged Cheddar, Goat Cheese, Sharp Cheddar, Soft Pungent Cheese
Fruits & Nuts: Almonds, Dates, Figs & Raisins, Hazelnuts
Herbs & Spices: Cilantro, Coriander, Cinnamon, Cumin, Saffron
Poultry & Eggs: Coq Au Vin, Roast Chicken with Herbs, Roast Turkey
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Beef Stew, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Ham, Spicy Sausage, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Vegetables: Artichokes, Beans, Green, Beans, White, Carrots, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Gazpacho, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Roasted Sweet Peppers, Swiss chard or Kale, Tomato, Vegetable Gratin or Stew, White Aspargus with Mustard Vinagrette

Spain:

This mountainous country possesses more vineyard land than any other country on earth, and ranks third in wine production after France and Italy. Spain is best known for its red Riojas and its Sherries, however other wines and regions are quickly gaining notoriety. Like France, Spain divides wine into categories; table wine at the bottom level and quality wine at the top, with a large emphasis on geographical origin. VdM (Vino de Mesa) is a basic table wine. VC (Vino Comarcal) wines are a level up. VdlT (Vino de la Tierra) refers to one of the country’s 25 distinct regions, and each wine possesses a local character. At the top level, only about fifty wines are considered DO (Denominacion de Origen). These wines come from the best-known regions and are the equivalent of France’s Appellation Contrôlée. DOC (Denominacion de Origen Calificada) is reserved for wines that adhere to the most stringent regulations. So far, Rioja is the only wine to gain the Calificada classification.


Tempranillo:

This Spanish grape gives wines deep color, low acidity and only moderate alcohol content. In recent years the Ribera del Duero region has been producing wonderful wines featuring this grape; in older, more traditional regions such as Rioja, the grape is blended with others.

Chateau Ste. Michelle 'Canoe Ridge' Merlot

Attributes:
Producer:

Chateau Ste. Michelle
Region:

Horse Heaven Hills, United States
Varietal:

Merlot
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 86
Complexity:

compact, straightforward
Compliments:

pleasant
Flavors:

black cherry, cassis, earthy

1999: WineAdvocate Rating: 88
Complexity:

densely packed, rich, supple
Flavors:

blackberries, cherries, chocolate, dark berries, mocha

1998: Tastings Rating: 88
Flavors:

plummy, ripe cherry, ripe fruit, spice
Fruit:

concentrated

1998: Tastings Rating: 86
Acidity:

bright
Aromas:

berry aromas
Body:

medium-bodied
Compliments:

fragrant
Flavors:

cherry, red berry, vanilla

1996: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Acidity:

soft
Body:

medium body
Complexity:

supple
Compliments:

elegant, tasty

1995: WineAdvocate Rating: 87
Acidity:

fresh, soft
Complexity:

simple
Compliments:

excellent ripeness
Flavors:

blackberry, blueberry, candied, currant, red cherry

1995: Tastings Rating: 90
Body:

medium-bodied
Complexity:

deep
Flavors:

licorice, vanilla
Texture:

velvety-textured

1993: Tastings Rating: 91
Flavors:

cedar, chocolate, dark fruit, licorice, red fruits
Fruit:

concentrated

Food Matches:
Pasta & Grains: Lasagna
Poultry & Eggs: Roast Chicken with Herbs
Red Meat: Barbeque Pulled-Pork or Ribs, Casseroles / Hot Dish, Grilled Pork Tenderloin, Wild Game - Elk, Caribou, Moose, Venison
Sauces: Red Wine Sauce
Vegetables: Beans, White, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Tomato

Merlot:

(mer loh) Deep in color, high in alcohol and low in tannins, this grape is grown mostly in California, France, Washington, New York and Chile. The aromas and flavors can be plummy, chocolaty, and even redolent of tea leaves. It is often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon although it is the most prevalent grape variety in Bordeaux.

Mas de Bressades Syrah-Grenache

Attributes:
Producer:

Mas de Bressades
Region:

Vin de Pays du Gard, France
Varietal:

Dry Red Table Wine
Bottle Size:

750 ML

2004: WineAdvocate Rating: 86
Aromas:

*-scented
Flavors:

berry
Fruit:

sweet

2003: WineSpectator Rating: 82
Complexity:

straightforward

2003: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Body:

medium-bodied
Complexity:

deep
Compliments:

elegant
Flavors:

berry, plum

2002: WineAdvocate Rating: 87
Compliments:

tasty
Texture:

tough

2001: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Acidity:

fat
Complexity:

opulent
Flavors:

blackberries, cherries

2000: WineAdvocate Rating: 90
Complexity:

complex
Flavors:

black fruit, jammy

1998: WineSpectator Rating: 85
Body:

light

1998: WineAdvocate Rating: 89
Complexity:

not complex
Flavors:

currant, gamy, pepper, plum, red cherry, spice
Fruit:

juicy

Food Matches:
Red Meat: Lamb Stew, Salami or Sausage
Vegetables: Tomato

Shrimp and Feta Pasta

Rated

Ingredients

2 tsp (10 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 ml) chopped onion
2 cups tomato sauce
1 medium tomato, chopped
Oregano to taste
Basil to taste
1/2 cup chicken stock
1 lb (450 g) raw shrimp, shelled and deveined
1/2 of a 16-ounce package spaghetti or linguine, cooked
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Preparation

1.In a pot of boiling water cook pasta until al dente. Reserve until ready to use. In a large skillet, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and onion and sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato sauce and tomatoes and cook until warmed through.

2. Add the chicken stock to the skillet and heat until the mixture is bubbling. Then add the shrimp and cook until pink.

3. Spoon the sauce over hot pasta and top with crumbled feta cheese.

Yield

Makes 4 servings