Since tomorrow is Independence Day and wine stores here in Utah (and many other places) will be closed, I thought it wise to post this week's Wine Wednesday blog a day early. --- Also, this week's wine would be perfect for a backyard holiday barbecue or cookout.

Cuvée de Peña Rouge is a red wine produced by a cooperative winery in Cases de Pene, a village in the Roussillon region of Southern France. The culture there is primarily Catalan, and this wine seems to have been made with Catalan cuisine in mind. It's a medium-bodied, soft-tannin blend of 40% Grenache, 40% Syrah and 20% Carignan.

Cuvée de Peña Rouge offers black-cherry aromas and flavors, with a slight smokiness and hints of black olives. It's a really versatile, soft and easy-drinking red wine that would pair nicely with Spanish and Mediterranean fare, rustic grilled veggies and meats, pizza, ratatouille or plain ol' American burgers from the grill on the 4th.