The Second Glass

As I am writing this, it is 34 degrees outside and an uncomfortable 60 in my apartment.  Winter is coming and that means that we aren’t drinking for fun anymore; we’re drinking for warmth and body heat. When it’s cold out you need liquor and spice to warm the blood as well as a little smoke in honor of the fireplace you wish you had.  The 2005 Bodegas Victoria ‘Pardina’ from Cariñena, Spain has all those qualities and more.  The spicy combo of 90% Tempranillo and the rest Cabernet Sauvignon delivers black currant liquor with some cedar and smoke leading to a long toasty, vanillin finish.

Pairs perfectly with a recipe I found for Garlic Lamb with Mushrooms.