Fuerza from Spain is another budget-friendly wine at $9.99 | Phil Your Glass

Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal
·2 min read
Fuerza red blend from Jumilla, Spain, is a tremendous value priced under $10.
Fuerza red blend from Jumilla, Spain, is a tremendous value priced under $10.

A reader recently asked me to find her a $20 bottle of wine that tasted like the Italian Super Tuscan sassicaia. By the way, the average price of this wine is $294 on Wine Searcher. I mentioned to her that I have never had the pleasure of tasting this Italian treasure. I asked for two sample bottles so I could familiarize my taste buds. Oddly enough, I haven’t heard back. But rest assured, I am always on the hunt for a good value wine.

Last week’s value wine, Guarda Rios red blend, came from Portugal. This week’s is from Jumilla, Spain, where value wines are plentiful.

Phil Your Glass:Stretch your budget and please your palate with Guarda Rios red blend

The 2019 Fuerza is a blend of 75% monastrell and 25% cabernet. This $9.99 bottle is one smooth operator. It’s certainly great on its own, but oh-so-fab with some homemade sausage-stuffed mushrooms. The winery recommends a blue cheese pairing, however, I thought my hunk of Piave cheese from Gallucci’s was perfect. It also suggested pairing lamb, partridge, hare, salmon, red tuna, and eggplant Parmesan. You've got to love the versatility.

I found the wine’s red berry flavors and vanilla finish to be delightful with one of my favorite pizzas, mushroom and pepperoni, from Luca’s in Stow. The pièce de résistance ( I know that is a French phrase and I am featuring a Spanish wine) was a few Brookside dark-chocolate-covered blueberry and acai berry flavored treats. Not all red wine pairs with chocolate. But these two were a great combination.

I like to think of myself as the wine shoppers' guardian angel as I am constantly reminding people of the 10% discount on a six-bottle purchase.

Phil Your Glass: Clay Shannon is a shockingly delicious cabernet for less than $20

Buy this wine at both Mustard Seed Market locations, Beau’s Market in Copley, Krieger’s Market, Market District Cuyahoga Falls and Green, Giant Eagle Medina, Norton Road and Kent Road, Lake’s Beverage, Top Shelf of Ohio in Jackson Township, Fishers on Fulton, Acme No. 1, Hudson, and Montrose; Buehler’s on River Styx, Forest Meadows and Canton; HomeBuys North Canton.

Send me an email at philyourglass@gmail.com with any wine questions and follow me on Instagram @pmasturzo_philyourglass.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Fuerza red blend from Spain is a very good wine for under $10