When it comes to grilled meats and poultry, ones vinous imagination might run to full-bodied, domestic reds that can carry the smoke, char, and heavy-handed sauces and marinades that typify American backyard cooking. Washington merlot and California syrah come to mind, but that can get boring (and intense) after a while, so anytime a grill-compatible Old World wine hits the radar, it's worth talking about.
One such red is the 2022 Danaus ($13), a red blend from the Costers del Segre sub-region in northeast Spain. Decidedly Spanish in style, but without the bludgeoning oak regimen plaguing many other Spanish wines these days, tempranillo and garnacha share the majority of the blend - and you can taste each of their characteristics. It's round with a little spice, medium-full bodied and clean, and won't break the bank at just $13.
