Enemy of the State: Foreign wine drinkers

(Or phone-tapping run amok.  Truth? Fiction? You decide.)

The following took place on 2/17/06 between 7:00 and 7:10PM

..."Anyway Todd we had this great little wine from Spain the other night.  It's Grenache, and...What's that?  Oh, it's named Viña Alarba.  No, it's from a region called Calatayud.  I'm not sure if that's how it's pronounced.  It's spelled C-A-LA-TA-Y-U-D.  Oh yeah; get this, it costs about seven bucks.  Really.  No it's not plonk.  Sure it's simple, but it really is a well-made, unassuming wine."

*click*click*click*

"Oh, Todd?  Yeah - hold on.  I think I got another call coming through.  Just a second."
"Hello.....Hello?....Anyone there?"
*faint, shallow breathing*
"Hello?"
Distorted Voice: "Is this 555-4933?"
"Yes.  Can I help you?"
Distorted Voice: "You are an associate of Mr. Alarba and Sheikh Al Lata Yud."
"Who?"  I don't know any....wait.  Did you say, Mister Alarba?
Distorted Voice: "That's correct.  He is a known Al Qaeda #2 along with Al Lata Yud."
"Huh?  Look I was talking about a wine named Viña Alarba from Calatayud - a wine region in Spain.  I wasn't talking about people."
Distorted Voice: "According to our information they are both Al Qaeda Number-Twos operating in Spain."
"What!?  I was talking to a friend about Spanish wine.  Wait.  How did you know I was talking about Viña Alarba?  Were you eavesdropping on my conversation?  Is my phone tapped!?"
Distorted Voice: "Having a conversation directly with, or about Al Qaeda Number-Twos is a serious offense.  You are on the list."
"I'm on the list?  What list?  You're nuts.  And how can there be more than one Number-Two?"
Distorted Voice: "We know who you are.  We know where you live.  We know you associate with Mr. Alarba and Sheikh Al Lata Yud."  You are on the list."

*click* dial tone

"Wait.  Hello?  Hello?  Look, I just enjoy Spanish wine.  That's not a crime, right?  Hello?

The Skinny
Viña Alarba  Old Vines Grenache 2004 ($6-$8)

• Grenache produced by Bodegas y Viñedos del Jalón of D.O. Calatayud (in Aragon, Northern Spain)
• Deep, dark ruby-violet in color with a bright pink rim
• The nose is a gemisch of fresh red raspberry and mixed berry jam.  I also detect some anise and peppery notes
• In the mouth, Viña Alarba is simple and fruity with an impressive balanced between alcohol (13.5%) and acidity.  It possesses faint, 'accenting' tannins and offers a berry-peppery finish

This is another one of those sub-$10 Spanish wines that causes one to exclaim, "Wow.  It's cheap and good."  This is the perfect 'house warming party' wine.  Everyone will like it and it's crisp, fresh character makes it flexible with food.  I recommend trying it with _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

[This posting is in the process of being redacted.]

Be advised, if you have read the above information, you too are on the list.  Watch it, bub.
-- NSA/DHS/FBI/CIA/Secret Sigma Force 9

Tags: spanish wine, calatayud, red wine, wine grenache

Comments

[Matt]

I seriously hope thats fiction mate...otherwise that is seriously scary... And i would probably rank close to the to of that list...

On a brief aside... I haven't read a post about Nebbiolo on your site, and i've recently tried an Italian one and an Australian one that were pretty good... your thoughts ?

[Bryan]

Maybe you should avoid using terms like "fruit bomb" in the future. Oh and don't buy any Iranian Pinot's too.

[weekendwino]

Holy Crap, That's a funny post!!! Ooops, I mean, How dare you associate with known terrorists. Damn, now I'm on the list. Darn, I should not have said crap.

[beau]

Hey Matt - Yes, it's fiction; but just barely. I have recently sampled Nebbiolo in its Barolo form. However, an Aussie Nebbi isn't something I've ever tried. Tell me more!

Bryan - I actually left out the 'FB' word on purpose - that may have led to too many nono words in one post!

WW - You are most definitely on the list. Watch it..