We are kicking off the New Year with a new group that is exploring wines around the world. We are starting off by exploring the wines of Spain. This group is the brainchild of Jeff of Food Wine Click. You can learn more about it in his invitation post.
The 2015 is La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva Tinto is a lively, medium depth, garnet–red color with an intense pink rim. High aromatic intensity with dominating ripe fruit: raspberries, red cherries, wild strawberries, and red currants set out against a balsamic background of vanilla, toasted caramel, biscuits, coffee, and sweet mints. In the mouth, you can enjoy good acidity, great freshness and balance, and mild, friendly tannins. Aromatic harmony persists through the aftertaste, with notes of red fruit jam, prunes, coffee, vanilla, and caramel.
Viña Alberdi is characterized by a notable food-pairing versatility. It is an ideal companion to appetizers, snacks, and barbecues, perfect with rice, pasta, and stews, and great with lightly-grilled meat and fish.
- Andrea at The Quirky Cork shares "Marqués de Cáceres Crianza with Chorizo Sweet Potato Pockets"
- Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm shares "Mexican Ham Soup and a Spanish Rioja Wine"
- Camilla at Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares "Catalan Coques + La Rioja Alta Viña Arana Rioja Gran Reserva 2014"
- Steve at Children of the Grape shares "Tasting Rioja With Aging Eyes"
- Allison and Chris at Advinetures share "Rioja: The Confluence of Tradition & Modernity"
- Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles shares "Viura - There is more to Rioja than Tempranillo"
- David at Cooking Chat shares "White Bean Stew with Sausage and a Rioja"
- Lynn at Savor the Harvest shares "Revisiting Rioja: Vinedos Singulares with Bodegas Ontañon"
- Nicole at Somms Table shares "One Day in Haro"
- Lauren at The Swirling Dervish shares "White Rioja: There's a Style for Every Palate"
- Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares "Classic Rioja Alta to kick off virtual trip to Spain"
- Terri at Our Good Life shares "Our First Rioja with Assorted Easy Tapas"
- Marcia at Joy of Wine shares “White Rioja: Taste and See What You’re Missing”
- Susannah at Avvinare shares “Exploring Legendary Winery Marqués de Riscal”
- Gwendolyn at Wine Predator shares “Regional Rioja: Tempranillo, Viura, Rosado paired with hearty soup, salad, lamb, patatas bravas”
- Martin at Enofylz shares "Reconsidering Rioja Blanco with the 2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia"
- Jeff at Food Wine Click! shares "Rioja Oriental - A Cinderella Story"
Mexican Ham and Bean Soup
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. dried Yellow Indian Woman Beans
- 1/2 lb. dried navy beans
- 8 c. chicken stock
- 1 lg, Vidalia onion, chopped
- 1 1/2 c. leftover ham or chopped cooked ham
- 1 T. chili powder
- 2 t. cumin
- 2 t. dried oregano
- 1 bay leaf
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 (15 oz) cans diced tomatoes
- shredded Mexican cheese and sour cream for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Wash and sort beans. Cover with water reaching 2" above the beans. Let set overnight.
- Drain the beans and place into a large dutch oven. Add the broth, onions, ham, chili powder, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, and garlic. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, partially cover and simmer for about 2 hours until beans are tender.
- Add the tomatoes with their juices and water if the stock has reduced too greatly. Stir in the tomatoes and simmer for another hour.
- Discard bay leaf and serve, passing shredded Mexican Cheese and Sour Cream, if desired.
Notes:
Adapted from a recipe found at Mexican Recipes.
Calories
282.52Fat (grams)
7.13Sat. Fat (grams)
2.04Carbs (grams)
34.80Fiber (grams)
7.17Net carbs
27.63Sugar (grams)
12.35Protein (grams)
22.31Sodium (milligrams)
1046.99Cholesterol (grams)
38.21
I'm not aware that Rioja normally has so much woody flavor -- we drink it often. Maybe you were just unlucky.
ReplyDeletebe safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Yes....I'm not sure either. I have never had that wood in a Rioja before, it was very harsh.
DeleteYum! That soup sounds so good! Seems like it would be a really nice, cozy dish for this time of the year.
ReplyDeleteIt was Andrea. Writing this post made me hungry for it again.
DeleteI don't recall if I ever made chili before using ham. Although I do like getting creative with leftovers as you do. It sounds like a great idea, and am happy you paved the way so we can all enjoy. I will be trying this one soon!
ReplyDeleteI still have ham left in the freezer and writing up this post got me hungry for this again. I hope you enjoy it Sue.
DeleteLooks delicious ! I hope Frank is doing better.
ReplyDeleteWe are taking it a day at a time Cathy. So far so good. Thanks.
DeleteWe are unabashed fans of Rioja and have enjoyed many wines from the region...that description of "woody" particularly to the point of off putting is not something we've ever associated Rioja wines with. We'd be curious for you to try something else to compare so that you don't give up on the region. Either way, that soup sounds incredible!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have had other Riojas and have enjoyed them. I'm not sure why this particular wine was so off putting...it didn't really taste like it was corked but it certainly didn't live up to it's description.
DeleteI'm sad that this wine didn't live up to it's expectations. I suppose that could be a vintage thing, a winery thing, or even perhaps the impact of shipping. I often wonder when I receive a shipped wine if everyone on the path from there to here took care with the wine. Regardless I am glad that you are not giving up on Rioja (in my head is a little MJ singing "one bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch girl!) Here's to more Rioja!
ReplyDeleteNor does one bad grape spoil the entire bottle. Thanks Robin for the chuckle.
DeleteI usually love that wine and don't usually think of it as super oaky, although I do often think it needs some air to taste at its best, or perhaps maybe it was an off bottle for some reason. I'm so sorry that you're experience of it wasn't good. I actually think that the way that wine usually tastes to me would've made a spot on pairing with your delicious looking soup. (we actually did something similar with leftover holiday ham around here and you've started me craving it all over again.) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nicole. That seems to be the consensus. I'm going to try it again to see if I have a different opinion the second go round.
ReplyDeleteOh that's a bummer about the wine, perhaps an off bottle. I wonder if aerating it a bunch would have made any difference? But the soup was a winner!
ReplyDeletePerhaps....or maybe it was just me...the last few weeks everything in my life has been a bit off.
DeleteLove your soup recipe - perfect for this time of year. Sorry the bottle wasn't pleasant; always disappointing when that happens.
ReplyDeleteYes, but I drank it so it wasn't a total loss.
DeleteYour soup sounds tasty and comforting, especially during this anxiety-provoking winter. Wish your experience with the wine had been better.
ReplyDeleteAll experiences are good experiences Linda, thanks
DeleteAs I mentioned during our chat, this wine hold a special memory for me. I'm sorry it didn't work for you, but that happens. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteCheers Martin. C'est la Vie.
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