Doing my part for the economy: buying wine

Haven't seen my buddy Ralph since going into the wine and spirits store more than a month ago, but he walked right up and asked me how I liked that Spanish red he recommended last time. Huh? I didn't remember that, until I got home and typed my new purchases into my wine log and realized that, heyyyyyyyy, he did suggest a red that was de-lish. It's
Mad dogs & Englishmen, a blend of Monastrell, Cab Sauv and Shiraz that's made out of a winery in the Jumilla region of Spain. The alcohol content (14 percent) was a bit higher than many of my Spanish favorites, but it's still nowhere near the vicinity of, say, a Zinfandel. It was really good, as was a bottle of Pillar Box Red from Australia that neatly blends Shiraz (53 percent), Cab and Merlot.

Anyway, Ralph, your memory is better than mine. Definitely a good recommendation.

Obviously I couldn't leave the store this time (or any other) without some bottles in hand. Picked up one bottle of my favorite inexpensive Tempranillo, an '03 Hoya de Cadenas Reserva that I've seen some online reviewers diss for being too shallow, too leathery, too .. oh, who cares? It's one I always enjoy. Also picked up another Spanish red, a Higueruela Cosecha 2005, which is a blend of primarily Garancha. Opened it last night and ... oh my, this one needs to go back even with legs that would be comparable to Jessica Simpson's. Supposed to taste blackberry, blackcurrant, raspberry and strawberry. Instead, got gamey and a whiff of manure and olives. Hey, it happens. Hopefully someone at the store will agree. And pilfered from the clearance section was a Greek white called Santorini Argyros Atlantis, which I'm expecting to make today's crab feast sing. Will let you know.

P.S.: Syrah, I'm told, will give off the scent of black olives. Didn't know that. And there's 12 percent syrah that's blended with the Garancha in that Spanish red I tried. But I returned the bottle and brought home another of the same. We'll give it a whirl tonight and see if it was the wine or just my taste buds.

And finally: That new bottle? More like I expected, with the aromas of fruit evident from the moment the cork pops off. That's much better. As for that Greek white, go find a bottle or two. A steal for $6.99.