Spanish Rioja Wines: Check, Please! Bay Area Wine Tips

My name is Leslie Sbrocco and I'm the host of Check, Please! Bay Area. Each week, I will be sharing my tasting notes about the wine the guests and I drank on set during the taping of the show. I will also share some wine and spirits tips with each episode.

Check, Please! Bay Area guests drank the following wines on the set of episode 908:

2010 Brancaia “Tre” Toscana, Italy ($18)
A triple meaning for a wine named three in Italian. Brancaia has three Tuscan estates, this is their third label, and the blend is a trio of varieties including Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Earthy aromas pair with a supple and grippy texture making it a red for the dinner table.

2012 Waters “Prelude” white blend, Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington ($28)
If you’re looking for a white with personality and class, this is it. A stunning Rhone-style blend from Washington crafted from grapes Roussanne and Viognier by rock star winemaker, Jamie Brown, this is a wine to seek out and savor. Made with half stainless steel tanks and half oak barrels, it’s rich and full-bodied yet the wine’s vibrancy and freshness still speaks.

2012 Light Horse Chardonnay, California ($14)
This is the kind of Chardonnay you’ll want to sip from poolside to tableside. Expressing ripe fruit notes it also captures the brightness and lightness of Chardonnay. With just a kiss of oak to add complexity, this is a wine for enjoying alone or with a wide variety of dishes from salmon in a mustard sauce to soft cheese topped with spicy chutney. The brand belongs to Jamieson Ranch Vineyards, which has formed the Light Horse Foundation. A portion of all wine sales go to the foundation assisting high-risk individuals afflicted with autism. So, drink well and do good at the same time. I’ll toast to that.

2012 Reata “Three County” Pinot Noir, California ($35)
Reata comes from the Spanish word for lariat and symbolizes the uniqueness of each handcrafted wine in their portfolio. This Pinot Noir is a powerful blend of grapes from three California counties, Sonoma, Monterey and San Benito. The aromas are reminiscent of dark berry fruit with a hint of vanilla and spice. Tannins are well balanced and smooth giving the wine an overall sleek texture. It’s class in a glass.