Capçanes Lasendal Garnatxa Barrica

Montsant is in the province of Tarragona in southern Catalonia. It became a D.O. appellation in 2001, but it has been a place of winemaking and spiritual refuge for ages upon ages. The Romans originated winemaking there, and the Carthusian monks improved the process with new practices from France. In the late 18th century, phylloxera destroyed the region, and only one-fifth of the original vineyards were replanted. Celler de Capçanes is a cooperative in the village of Capçanes. A request to produce Kosher wine led to the installation of new equipment and the ability to make even better wines. This delightful wine is 85% Garnatxa (Grenache) and 15% Syrah; it is deep garnet with flavors of ripe plum, cranberry, tart cherry and cocoa, smooth tannins, medium body, and a crisp, dusty finish reminiscent of the dry vineyards that produced it. Serve this gentle, gracious wine with zarzuela, sausages and white beans, Bourbon-grilled lamb or Tillamook cheddar with sesame crackers.

Practically around the corner from Priorat, Montsant offers spectacularly rich, heady reds that are relative bargains. Lasendal, made at the famed Capçanes winery, boasts deep black fruit flavors with liberal amounts of spice and toasty oak. Perfect for richly spiced lamb or beef dishes.