Tasty Recipes from Recipe Wizards

WINE OF THE WEEK

2007 Alvaro Palacios Camins del Priorat

QUICK SWIRL

Few of us can afford Spanish wine star Alvaro Palacios' big dog, L'Ermita. But we can all afford an occasional bottle of his Camins del Priorat. Think of it as an introductory wine from northern Spain's rugged Priorat region. A blend of Carignan and Garnacha with 10 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2007 Camins del Priorat is made from "younger" vines. That would be in the vicinity of 15 years old. It has everything going for it - bright concentrated fruit, ripe tannins, silky texture, all of which make it an extremely versatile wine with food.

It won't overwhelm a simple roasted chicken yet can stand up to the rich flavors of a chicken fricassee with jamon serrano and sweet red peppers or a platter of grilled sausages. And like most Spanish reds, this one loves lamb.

Region: Priorat, Spain

Price: About $20

Style: Aromatic and fruity

What it goes with: roast chicken, chicken fricassee, sausages, lamb

Tags: Alvaro Palacios, Cabernet Sauvignon, Camins, Carignan, Chicken Chicken, Chicken Fricassee, Ermita, Garnacha, Grilled Sausages, Northern Spain, Priorat, Rich Flavors, Roast Chicken, Roasted Chicken, Silky Texture, Spanish Wine, Sweet Red Peppers, Vicinity, Vines, Wine With Food