Vina Alarde Tempranillo

Vina Alarde Tempranillo 2011, 134th Cosecha De La Familia, Bodegueros Desde 1877 (since 1877) Berberana.  This Total Wine selection was one that they were offering at a "tasting" at the Laguna Hills Total Wine.  But aggravatingly, due to some arcane Californian rule, they can't "give away" the tasting, so you're required to "pay 10 cents".  I didn't have a dime on me, and I didn't want to pay a whole dollar for a wine that maybe I didn't like.

So I picked up the bottle, and saw it was a "Rioja" D.O.C. ... as I understand it, that means it is 'at least ok'.   It's not the best, nor is it the 'minimally worse' that a Spanish wine maker could produce.   Bottled for Bodegas Berberana S.A. by United Wineries.  Asked how much it was?  $8 - ok, worth a gamble.  It was fine.  I enjoyed it, even without the previous tasting.  The tasting hostess was "put off" slightly that I didn't want to "donate" a dollar... but I was in a hurry anyways, and it was a warm and humid day here when I bought it.  I really didn't need a bunch of red wine in my system on the 20 minute drive home - I was at the store to get Canton Ginger liqueur for Dr Desert Flower, and the Rioja was just a 'convenience buy".