Washington State Syrah Smackdown

The pro road cyclists are on vacation for the next couple of months.  While the pros relax I'm picking up my Seattle Urban Wineries vs. Lake Chelan intra-state rivalry series.

This week's match features Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah representing Seattle and Nefarious 2009 Defiance Estate Syrah defending the honor of Lake Chelan.

Eight Bells 2009 Yakima Valley Syrah v. Nefarious 2009 Defiance Syrah

Washington Tempranillo v. Ribera del Duero

The World Championships took place in Italy a couple of weeks ago.  Spain had the perfect setup to win the race, but something weird happened in the final kilometers of the race. 

Joaquim Rodriguez, from Spain, had a break away lead for a significant length of time at the end of the race.  With less than 5 km to go in the race Rodriguez sill held a slight lead with three more riders trailing close behind: Vincenzo Nibali of Italy, Rui Costa of Portugal and Alejandro Valverde of Spain.  Rui Costa put in an attack and bridged up to Rodriguez leaving the two of them to battle it out for the victory.  Costa took the win for Portugal's first ever world men's road race championship.

Spain was perfectly situated for the victory with two riders in the final break of four.  Many observers were perplexed that Valverde did not cover Costa's attack.  Valverde's lack of action most likely cost Spain the World Championships this year.  They ended up with second and third, but that is little consolation when the top step is so close.

This week's Lucha Vino challenge pits a challenger from Ribera del Duero against a Washington State Tempranillo.  Let's see if the Spanish challenger can have any better luck than Rodriguez and Valverde.

2010 Tranche Cellars Tempranillo v. 2001 Bodegas Balbas Gran Reserva

Washington Garnacha v. Aragon

The Vuelta Espana featured a final week of racing in Northern Spain that included a number of mountain passes and hill top finishes.  Chris Horner put together several good races and took over the race lead, putting himself in position to be the oldest grand tour winner ever.

This week we pay homage to old guys with an old vine Garnacha from Northern Spain taking on a Washington State Tempranillo.

2007 Tildio Tempranillo v. 2010 Tres Picos Borsao Garnacha

Washington Garnacha v. La Mancha

The Vuelta a Espana is in full swing with the racers spending a few days in the South of Spain last week.  There has been lots of action in the first week and some early mountain top finishes have encouraged some aggressive racing with the overall race lead changing hands several times.

One of the most intringuing racers has been Chris Horner, the "old man" of the peloton.  Horner is 41 years old and has been on the sidelines for most of the year due to knee issues.  He returned at the Tour of Utah and told everybody that the Vuelta was his goal.  So far, he is backing up his words with action!

This week's Lucha Vino challenge features a Garnacha from Washington taking on an "old man" from La Mancha.

2009 Almquist Family Vintners Garnacha v. 2008 Cien y Pico Garnacha