merlot cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Meler

Merlot cabernet Sauvignon 2005 Meler

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

This is more classic than the previous one. Although I enjoyed more this one, I think that this wine does not offer a good quality/price ratio. Nevertheless, it is not a secret that Somontano is not my favourite DO. Worth to mention a couple or three of exceptions:

• Auction Ballabriga selección
• Enate Merlot Cabernet
• Castillo de Monesma

And a couple of expensive and awful Somontano wines:

• Gran Vos
• Marboré

Lumbreta 2006

Lumbreta 2006

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

This is a special and innovative wine. Nothing to do with classic wines. I have not enjoyed this product, although it is a very good example of innovation.

Meler Syrah 2009

Meler Syrah 2009

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

I was fully satisfied with this wine, that offers a good quality/price ratio. Probably one of the best somontano's quality/price ratio. You can buy this wine for 4,2 eur per bottle at the cellar.
The problem comes when you compare this wine with Fariña Colegiata (DO Toro) or even worse, with Roques Albes (DO Pla de Bages). It cannot compete with these last ones, specially the last one, which is much more complex and rich, and for the same price! Nevertheless, it beats a large amount of wines, specially in DO Somontano.

Meler Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2009

Meler Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2009

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

This is a nice rosé wine. We enjoyed this wine, alghouth we consider it quite expensive (around 7 eur per bottle). Maybe the most surprising thing is that, when compared with other rosé wines, it is quite sweet. Definitely, it is better than Olvena Rosé.

Aljez chardonnay 2007

Aljez chardonnay 2007

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

This chardonnay has passed some years inside the bottle. In my oppinion the previous one is more fresh and easier-to-drink. I prefer the chardonnay 2009 selección limitada, although this one is also more than correct.

Chardonnay Meler 2009 Edición limitada

Chardonnay Meler 2009 Edición limitada

http://www.bodegasmeler.com

This is a very good chardonnay. You can buy this in the cellar for 7 eur per bottle. A classic wine, very balanced. Worth to mention is alcoholic degree: 14º. You won't feel it too strong. It's just perfect.
On the other hand, it is quite usual that I usually specially enjoy the wines with high alcoholic degree.

wine tasting at Meler cellar

Wine tasting at Meler cellar

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

The wine tasting included six wines, which will be commented in next posts, plus some meals.
The first dish was "longaniza de graus" plus special bread. I forgot to take the photos. I apologize for that.
The next one included a very good olive oil, grapes, cheese (two types) and an extremely good jam.
The last one included chocolate from Somontano and some desserts.
the nicest thing was to check that Ana Meler loves her land. All these products are not her business, but she enjoys showing the products of her land.
Great! Congratulations to this outstanding woman! when you put this large amount of passion into your work, for sure, you will succeed.

very good jam:

Bodegas Meler

Bodegas Meler

http://www.bodegasmeler.com/

This is, by far, the best of the visits that we did in Somontano. For sure they do not invest a lot of money in a fashion building but they love their work and offer an artisan product, while the others offer a more industrial thing.
We were received by one of the owners, the youngest of the family, Ana Meler, and this also mades a strong difference. She knows everything about the product, the family, the history.
We drank a first glass of nice chardonnay outside the building, looking at the vineyars. To be sincere, I have visited hundreds of cellars and this is the first one that offers this nice detail.
Next posts are devoted to their wines and the meals that they offer during the tasting. Worth to visit!

These boxes will go to Badalona...

and last but not least, the "alma mater" of this company (this photo is copied from some place in internet...):

Syrah 1 Alodia

syrah 1 Alodia

http://www.alodia.es/

I think that the bottle of the bar was opened since long time ago. I mean that I think that this wine was not in its best shape...

Cantina del mercado, hotel ciudad de Barbastro

Cantina del mercado, hotel ciudad de Barbastro

Plaza del mercado 4

this bar belongs to a four stars hotel and it is very situation in Barbastro. they provide a large amount of potatoes, but the quality is just acceptable. However, I enjoyed the "pincho moruno", and the price is cheap.

Café del Coso, Cerveceria vinoteca

Café del Coso

Paseo del Coso 32, Barbastro (Huesca)

Although this place offers a considerable amount of tapas, I think that it is not a good place for tapas. They are not fresh enough. Click the photo of the montadito with salmon. The salmon was dry (you can see the different color in the limits of the salmon, which is indicative of too much time outside the fridge). In addition, the place is quite dark.

Cojón de Gato 2009 Gewurztraminer

Cojón de Gato 2009 Gewurztraminer

This is the first gewurztraminer without taste to this outstanding grape. if you read the label you will find the trick in small letter: the gewurztraminer is mixed with other grapes, and they don't say the percentage!
This is a drinkable white wine. Nothing special, nothing remarkable.

Casa Peix

Casa Peix

www.hotelcasapeix.com

Unfortunately I hadn't chance to take dinner here. However, I have been in this restaurant a couple of times in the past. I strongly recommend it. Outstanding quality and nice menu!

Casa Domenc

Casa Domenc

Pl. Iglesia, Aren, Huesca

http://www.casadomenc.com/

This is a restaurant that offers home-made meals. For 11 eur you will receive a very complete meal. The duck was great!
In addition, they will offer you the possibility to receive some extra amount of the main course.
And last but not least, it is in a nice village!