Washington Sangiovese v. Chianti Classico

The month of May features the first grand tour of the cycling calendar - the Giro d'Italia.  The three week route began in Hungary and then transferred to Naples to race from the South to the North.

Stage 10 found the race in Tuscany for an individual time trial.  The only time trial of the 21 stages, which is somewhat unusual.

Not surprisingly, Italian hero, and time trial specialist, Filipo Ganna won the stage.  Overall race favorite, Jonas Vingagaard, did not look sharp and raised concerns about his overall fitness.  Jonas used the mountain stages, in the final week of the race, to show his climbing prowessand put his critics in their place by winning the overall classification by more than 5 minutes.  

This Lucha Vino challenge features the Wolfpack Cellars Sangiovese taking on a tough Villa Antinori Chianti Classico challenger.  Like Ganna, most would expect the Chianti Classico to take this battle.  Let's see what happens...

Washington Tempranillo v. Rioja

This year's edition of the Volta a Catalunya did not stay within the confines of the Catalunya region.  Instead, it traced a route through most of Spain that skirted the Rioja region on the third and fourth stages of the week long race.

Spending two days in the vicinity of Rioja certainly provided a great opportunity for the pro racers to enjoy some excellent wines.  In addition to the cycling action, Rioja is also celebrating its 100th anniversary.

Ultimately, the general classification was won by Jonas Vingegaard in his early season built up to an attempt at winning his third Tour de France in July.

This edition of the Lucha Vino challenge pits the 2012 Idilico Tempranillo against the 2016 Lopez de Heredia Vina Cubillo Crianza.

Washington Syrah v. Australia Clare Valley Shiraz

One of the first stage races of the road racing calendar is the Tour Down Under.  This year's edition provided plenty of action.  Especially in the final stage when a Kangaroo attempted to take down the race leader with a surprise attack similar to a luchador leaping off the top rope!

The race winner, Jay Vine, had this to say about the incident "Everyone asks me what's the most dangerous thing in Australia and I always tell them it’s kangaroos,” Vine told ABC Australia. “They wait and they hide in the bushes until you can’t stop and they jump out in front of you. Point proven today."

This Lucha Vino matchup features an Australian Shiraz leaping from the bushes in an attempt to take down a Washington Syrah.

2022 Vibe Cellars Stillwater Creek Syrah v. 2020 Knappstein Clare Valley The Mayor's Vineyard Shiraz

Washington Albarino v. Rias Baixas

This year's Vuelta Espana traced a unique route from East to West primarily hugging Spain's Northern border before ultimately finishing in Madrid.  The racers followed a route similar to people following the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, just with more mountains and kilometers!

Stage 16 was a medium mountain stage tracing a route through the Rias Baixas region along the Western edge of Spain.  The stage was shortened due to protests at the finish area, with Egan Bernal crossing the ad-hoc finish line first to take the stage victory.

This Lucha Vino matchup brings the chaos with Vibe Cellars 2023 Albarino vs. 2023 Morgadio Albarino