Terra de Falanis Plic Plic Plic Grenache Cinsault

Photo credit: me

I will admit, I'm a little out of my element when it comes to Spanish wines, but one thing I know is that I love a Grenache blend. This bottle from Terra de Falanis is absolutely exceptional.

Now, I know, I'm breaking my promise yet again, but really, wouldn't you rather I told you about great wine, even if it wasn't easily available at a BC Liquor Store? I thought so.

This wine is big, it's got a lot of flavour, but it's very well-rounded. It took some time to put my finger on its most forward flavour note, but it is without a doubt blackberries — and lots of 'em. They're on the nose, they linger in your mouth, they are juicy and satisfying. I knew there was something red a fruity going on, but my long, long day seemed to have deadened my senses.

Initially I was on a mission to treat myself to another bottle of La Frenz Syrah and this journey brought me to a privately owned liquor store on Columbia Street in New Westminster. I was so happy to see they had it, and many other fine wines from that vineyard, in stock, but I started to feel like a kid in a candy store; there were all these other beautiful, rare wines on the shelves and I couldn't resist.

The great thing about going to privately owned wine stores is the personal touch offered by their staff. The people working there have different motivation than the employees at the BC Liquor Store, the people at these private stores have passion. And if you're lucky, they will give you a recommendation like the one I found tonight. The woman who recommended this bottle wasn't working, but she had taken the time to tape a little sign to the top. It said something so simple: A Grenache from Spain. It's delicious, try it!

Full disclosure: I used to work for a private liquor store and I relished the chance to suggest a favourite wine to a willing customer. There's just something about a dish or drink suggested to you by a confident (non-commission earning) employee. I always enjoyed this part of my former job and I know that soliciting suggestions from employees in a similar capacity — frankly, they rarely disappoint.

So if you're ever in on Columbia Street by the Viti Wine Store, or you have the good fortune of stumbling across this cartoon labeled Spanish Grenache, and you have $21 to spare, I would highly recommend it. And if you're wondering what I paired it with, try a healthy dose of binge-watching The Good Wife.