This Fall has been a time of mourning -pack up the moon and dismantle the sun- but also of fond memories of her. After my father passed away, she asked me periodically to buy red wine for her house. She only drank a modest white, but wanted to be sure that her guests would be welcomed with a good Rioja or Ribera. I was purveyor to my mother, a title that I now cherish, while I miss her dearly.

In my latest explorations of the Peninsula, I have encountered several wines worthy of your attention. I spent a day in the blessed region of El Empordanet, invited to a wine tasting. Two of them really stood out, Verd Albera 2021 and Camins de l’Albera 2020.

The first one is a white from the from the Celler Martí Fabra vignerons that seduces you with a perfect ensemble of muscat, chardonnay and white garnache grapes. It reminds you of ripe fruit and lemons. This is a cosmopolitan white, uncomplicated and cheerful. It has an amazing price of 8 euros.

The second one, Massís de l’Albera Camins de l’Albera 2020, is a serious red made from grenache at Celler Massis De L’albera. It is dark and profound, with a very long finish (25 euros).

In a previous trip to Valencia with my son I discovered Bilogia, a local ecological red created by the 13th generation of vignerons at Casa Los Frailes. I confess I chose this wine because it comes from a village called Fontanars dels Alforins (my mother was known as Pili Fontanar all of her life). My sentimental inclination yielded very good results. This a perfect coupage of monastrell and shiraz grapes, very well made and with a great finish where all the wonderful memories of shiraz stay with you (9 euros).