I have to just nod my head… This wine comes from Spain, which is about 3,400 miles from Boston… Across an ocean…

It has a sturdy bottle, cork closure and an attractive label… The wine itself is quaffable, not meant for aging, but instead should be easily consumed with a nice strong Manchego cheese and paper thin slices of Serrano ham… Pepper and spice tease the palate and a vibrant core of red fruit evokes a sun-splashed Mediterranean shore line…

All this for a measly $6.99 per bottle before discount… I received 10% off when I picked up my case, bringing the per bottle price to $6.29… I checked in the Beverage Journal and the quantity wholesale price (3 cases minimum) was $64 per case, or $5.33 per bottle. So the retailer made $1 per bottle… Not sure what Winebow (the distributor) paid, but assuming they marked it up 50%, then they paid somewhere around $3.6 per bottle. Factoring in maritime shipping costs, glass and labeling costs, the wine maker, Bodegas Nekeas probably sold the wine for somewhere around $1.20 per bottle. And it’s Estate Bottled…

That is just outrageous – and not in a bad way. I keep telling anyone who will listen that as long as Spain (and parts of France and Italy) can produce little gems like the Vega Sindoa for such criminally cheap prices, there is absolutely no need to buy domestic. I will be putting this wine in a tasting, blind against a number of other wines from Europe and America. My guess is that folks will like it, but they won’t love it… probably too youthful… but when they get wind of the price, they will buy at least a case to put on table this summer with all kinds of BBQ fare.

If you’re at our house this summer, you will now know what you will be drinking… among other things…

My tasting note:

Earthy nose with cherry, eucalyptus and banana chip hints. Medium-bodied with firm acidity and moderate tannin – good balance. Youthful, vibrant with bright cherry and raspberry notes. Moderate length. Smooth with pepper and cinnamon on the aftertaste. Drinking well – not for aging.

At an average bottle price of $6.99 before the discount, this wine is a downright cheap summer quaffer.

Cheers!