Sometimes, in the sober light of day, you change your mind. Other times, you stick to your first impression.

In the case of the Espiral Vinho Rosé, which I said on Facebook was worthy of an “A” rating, there’s no way I’m changing my mind. This, my friends, is a darn good wine value – and, while in a different class and category (IMHO) than the Sofia reviewed here last week, actually earns more points. Extra credit, if you will.

The fact that it’s from Portugal adds to the allure – there’s got to be more to Portugal than Port and Vinho Verde, eh?

I found this at Trader Joe’s. I paid $5.99. I will buy more.

[Editor’s Note: If you don’t have Trader Joe’s near you, maybe try Aldi – well, not for THIS wine, but for other great values.]

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To the review!

Espiral Vinho Rosé Review

Taste

I don’t want to be one of THOSE wine bloggers, the ones who say “like summer in a glass!”

And, to be fair, this is closer to a bubbly to me – there’s a hint of effervescence.

Floral nose, a little bit of fruit but not at all sweet – like a dry champagne, y’all – and there’s a hint of peach. Clean finish. Food agnostic – I had barbecued chickent with it but could very well have had it solo. Because it’s like summer in a glass!

(I couldn’t resist.)

Espiral has done some really solid work – and this wine has been around awhile, it appears; check out this blog from 2012: The Winegetter. And they also do the Vinho Verde thing – which has to happen because, well, Portugal.

Profile

10% ABV. From Vina Nova de Gaia, Portugal. Learn more about that place right here.

Value

Where this wine EARNS its grade.

I don’t mean to get off on a rant here – but didja know there’s a site called Beergraphs and they have a metric called “Beers Above Replacement?” Or something like that.

The general concept – replicating that of baseball’s Wins Above Replacement – if you removed the beer and replaced it with something average, how much better (or worse) than average is this one?

Where they lose me is whether there’s actual Moneyball-esque value for what you’re paying for the replacement – like if movie ratings were based on dollars you should pay, not whether the movie is 4-stars.

So, this wine is better – MUCH better – than an average Rosé. And I paid $5.99, which makes it a tremendous value.

Metasip Grade: A

Not a minus. This is a solid, well-earned, well-deserved A.