Wines of the Week: Aug. 10-16

Everyday: Is there a region in Spain that’s NOT producing really good wine at fair prices? Best I can tell, the
answer is “not a chance.” The 2012 Celler Can Blau Bula Montsant ($12) is rich, robust and delicious, with a persistent, stout finish. A Rhone-ish red blend (40 percent each carignan and grenache, 20 percent syrah), it’s full-bodied and -flavored (blue and purple fruits) but smooth and silky on the palate. Yum. Try it with sausages, grilled meats, pizza and paella. In other words, anything hearty. And what could be more hearty an accompaniment than the down-home blues of Mr. McKinley Morganfield, a k a Muddy Waters?

Occasion: Eeny meeny miny moe. Catch a tiger … OK, I still can’t choose between two fabulous 2012 offerings from Schramsberg. The Blanc de Noirs ($35) boasts brilliant fruit, great balance and a truly sensuous mouthfeel. The Brut Rose ($40) shows off a fabulous red-berry nose and palate, serious tastiness and marvelous acidity and length. If anybody is making better sparkling wines in California than these guys, I’d be surprised (and delighted). Cue up the usual endless litany of perfect accompaniments for bubbles: potato chips and popcorn, shrimp and sushi, fried or BBQ chicken. And the shimmeringly swell new album by Beach House.