Wine of the week: Luzon Verde 2021

The name might be confusing, but this Spanish red is more than enjoyable

Finding red wines to feature as wine of the week has become progressively more difficult over the past several years; even before the pandemic, in fact. Yes, price increases and premiumization have complicated things, but I’m also finding fewer red wines that are interesting and varietally correct.

There are still plenty of cheap red wines, but why would I want to write about yet another smoooth one?

So I tried the Luzon Verde 2021 ($12, purchased, 14%). In the old days, I probably wouldn’t have bothered. The alcohol for this Spanish red, made with the monastrell grape, is a bit higher than I like and its name confused me. Verde, in Spanish, means green, which seemed odd for a red wine – and no, I’m not going to recommend a wine just because it’s organic (which, apparently, accounts for the “verde”).

Which is why the first rule of wine criticism is to taste the wine before you judge it. The Luzon Verde is Spanish wine at its everyday best — fruity (dark berries), but not too heavy, hot, or tannic. and quite approachable. It does need food, but Thanksgiving is coming up yes?

So enjoyable, professional, and much more than competent, as well as an encouraging sign for future red wines of the week.

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