Did I order it just because I like pronouncing it?? Bee-air-THO. When I say it the subtext is “Yes, I know of what I speak”. The Bierzo region is a small DO in north-west Spain’s Galicia neighborhood. This medium bodied red is made from the Mencía grape (another fun pronunciation – Men-THEE-ah, gotta love those Castillians!) which lives happily on slate and granite soils not

On the palate, it plays out like a less demanding Pinot Noir, not quite the princess. It is similarly elegant with ripe berry fruit and well-balanced acidity and alcohol, although more straight forward and somewhat meatier – it had sort of a Damn Good Jerky undercurrent (like yes, its beef jerky, but it’s the best I’ve ever tasted, no lie!). The first one to cross my palate about six

Pago de Valdetruchas Los Cerezales 2008 Bierzo (wine list price $50/bottle, retails for around $20) was a somewhat simpler version of the one that has haunted my palate dreams over the years. Her corset wasn’t wound as tight, but she was thoroughly
The great thing is that when you do find it, even the biodynamic Petalos, you will not pay much more than $20.00 a bottle to experience the magic. Wine-Searcher.com came up with lots of hits at around $18.00 for that wine, while it seems the only place to get Los Cerezales is at Wine Library in New Jersey for $19.98. Nonetheless, just for shits and giggles, pop into your local wine retailer and ask them for a good bee-air-THO and enjoy the reaction. With any luck they will indeed have one and be proud to be able to offer it to someone who is obviously in the know. Do let me know how this went!