From Kiwilimón for you
Do three B wines exist in the supermarket?
By
Shadia Asencio - 2021-03-26T11:24:26Z
When I was little, a fantasy lived within me. It didn't just come out of nowhere. In the 90s, there was a soap opera, The Dreamer, in which the protagonist lived inside a department store. For years, the idea of spending the night in a place that smelled new lingered in my mind; a space where all my cravings were at my disposal and where I could have something new at every moment.If for some reason my fantasy came true today, at the supermarket, I would head straight to the produce aisle, the aisle where freshness lives, and the wine aisle. Because even though it may not be the first option that comes to mind when we think of wines, in that cold space it is possible to find labels that embody the good, the beautiful, and the affordable.Whether we decide to live in a store –wink, wink– or just want to buy wines alongside the grocery list, I asked several experts what their recommendations were. Here’s what they told me. For food journalist Mariana Camacho, the so-called vinho verde –which is actually a white wine– from the Casal García winery is an excellent option when looking to pair with spring. Other items on her supermarket list include Flor de Vetus or María 1926, both made from the tempranillo grape. For Spanish wine expert Raúl Juárez, his supermarket list wouldn't be complete without Protos, a Terras Gaudas white from the Rías Baixas region, Ochoa Crianza Tempranillo, and Marqués de Riscal from Rioja. The sommelier of Bornos Bodegas and the best sommelier of the National Sommelier Jr Competition of the ASI from 2016 to 2019, Astrid Pérez Aguilar, recommends Rutini Malbec or the blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec from the same winery. “Honestly, I have a love for the country and the winery. I think it offers great quality for the price.” Regarding sparkling wines, Astrid states that Kirkland Rosé satisfies the craving for bubbles without breaking the bank. From Mexico, she likes Monte Xanic Sauvignon Blanc, as it has “great elegance and freshness.” For the Head Sommelier of Acento Culinaria, Pablo Mata, you can't go wrong with Teziano Cabernet Sauvignon from the Norte 32 winery in Valle de Guadalupe. He also recommends the Argentine label Catena Zapata Malbec High Mountains and, straight from Burgundy, a Bouchard Aîné & Fils Heritage Du Conseiller. “These are three wines at different price points that I would definitely buy.”Raquel del Castillo, sommelier and gastronomic editor of Menú at Universal, leans towards a modern-style malbec like Elsa Bianchi, the rosé from the Rioja winery Cune, or the Fonte Vinho Verde from Portugal. “It's one of those delightful wines for chatting and spending an afternoon in the garden. On the nose, it's fruity, with green apple, freshly cut citrus, and minerality. On the palate, it's light and very fresh. It pairs well with ceviche, tuna tataki, and roasted chicken with salt and pepper.”Personally, I like Laus Chardonnay from the Somontano region because it's super easy to drink, especially if there's terrace music, or Flores de Callejo from Ribera del Duero if there's a platter of cold cuts in the center. Among Mexicans, the nebbiolo from L.A Cetto is a no-fuss guarantee to harmonize with a plate of pasta drenched in pomodoro sauce.Experts, novices, and enthusiasts alike all find wines with the three Bs (bueno, bonito, barato) at the supermarket that don't get in the way of the cart, next to the kilo of salad tomatoes.What are yours?