- Silverstone's previous recommendations

Bodegas Vina Ijalba Livor 1998

February 2000

Never judge a book by it's cover, I was once told by an English Literature teacher. I took that comment to heart and never strayed from it...until Vina Ijalba beckoned me from the wine shelf.

The cover - in the case of a bottle of wine - is the label. The more funkier the less charismatic, has been my experience...until now. The Livor label is quite exquisite, and the liquid it contains is equally palatable.

The winery Ijalba is located in Lograno, Spain and the three grapes that makes this amazing wine produce an extraordinary juice which I find a totally agreeable slurp for any occasion. Certainly this should not be limited to the dinner table, but with enough gorgeously choreographed fruit flavors to marry a wide variety of dinner table repast.

The winery employs all natural fertilization and production methods and the glass is resistant against UV rays. Even the corks are longer

than average to protect against the possibility of Mr. Air seeping through. All this and a nifty price tag, make this a brilliant choice of nectar for the new century.

Region Logrono, la Rioja Alta, Spain

Grapes Tempranillo (90%); Mazeulo (5%); Graciano (5%);

Technical Whole berries are fermented and foot trodden to give outstanding extract, color and lush fruit character.

Food Match Meats, chicken, pasta. charcouterie

Serve Chill for 10 minutes in fridge.

Price in the USA $8.99 (approx)

Best of the Red Bunch

- Silverstone's previous recommendations