Washington Zinfandel v. Puglia

The Giro d'Italia got underway in Sicily winding its way South and then East toward Puglia and the heel of the boot.  The first week of racing saw the race favorites attacking and battling much more than is usual for the first week of a Grand Tour.

At the first rest day Vincenzo Nibali is wearing the leader's jersey, also known as the Maglia Rosa.

The racers didn't spend much time in Puglia, but the route did pass through this South Eastern Italian wine region.  This week's match up features a Washington Zinfandel taking on a Primitivo from Puglia.  These grapes are considered to be the same, but with different names.

2009 II Vintners Zinfandel v. 2010 Feudi Di San Marzano Primitivo Puglia

Washington Malbec v. Argentina

The Giro d’ Italia starts this weekend.  It is a race with great national pride and Italian’s are always motivated to win their country’s championship.

Just like the Giro, the Malbec grape is the source of great national pride.  Not in France where the grape originated.  No, the nation that prides itself on Malbec is Argentina.  Argentina has adopted the Malbec grape and made it the king variety of their country.

To honor the pride of Argentina (and Malbec Day) this week’s challenge features Malbec Madness.  In a match that sees the opponents going to extremes similar to Mad Magazine’s Spy vs. Spy we have Washington vs. Argentina.

2009 Laurelhurst Cellars Malbec v. 2010 Hand of God Old Vine Malbec

Toro, Toro, Toro! Tinta de Toro v. Washington

The stage races in Northern Spain are wrapping up with the Vuelta Castilla y Leon.  This race used to be longer, but has been reduced to three stages due to lack of sponsor funding.  The race route travels North from Madrid and passes reasonably close to the Toro D.O.

This week's challenge features a Spanish Tempranillo from the Toro D.O. battling with a Washington state Tempranillo.

2010 Vina Salida Tempranillo v. 2008 Bodega Teso la Monja Almirez Tinta de Toro

Washington Graciano v. Navarra

This challenge began when I met Javier Alfonso at Taste WA.  He is the wine maker (and Janitor) at Pomum Cellars.  Idilico is his second label. Don't let that lead you to believe the Idilico wines are second rate.  Far from it. These wines are well put together and uniquely focused on Spanish varietals grown and raised in Washington.

Javier was pouring the Idilico Graciano from under the table at Taste WA.  He challenged me to find a 100% single varietal Spanish Graciano.  I took him up on the challenge and found the Zorzal conveniently resting in my cellar.  Game on!

The timing was perfect with the Vuelta Cicliste al Pais Vasco happening this past week in Northern Spain.  This is a unique race through the Basque country in Spain.  One of the unique features is the  stylish hat awarded to the stage winners as a prize.

Navarra v Washington in a battle of Grande Graciano Grapplers.

2007 Zorzal Graciano v. 2010 Idilico Graciano