Saving the world from bad wine!
A selection of wines from Spain from a variety of important regions such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Spanish wine is like no other in the world. It presents such a tremendous value for the incredible quality and history it embodies. Their indigenous Tempranillo (also called Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais) grape ranks alongside Bordeaux's Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany's Sangiovese, and Germany's Riesling as one of the classic expressions in the world of wine. They make scintillating Grenache as well and many other fascinating red Spanish born varietals. Spain is not solely... Read More
A selection of wines from Spain from a variety of important regions such as Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Spanish wine is like no other in the world. It presents such a tremendous value for the incredible quality and history it embodies. Their indigenous Tempranillo (also called Tinto Fino and Tinto del Pais) grape ranks alongside Bordeaux's Cabernet Sauvignon, Tuscany's Sangiovese, and Germany's Riesling as one of the classic expressions in the world of wine. They make scintillating Grenache as well and many other fascinating red Spanish born varietals. Spain is not solely defined by their red wines either, they make a whole host of interesting and high-quality white wines and are responsible for the legendary wines from Jerez called Sherry. The current quest for wine gems at a reasonable price point needs to look no further than Spain, for they have somehow decided to produce wines of spectacular provenance and character and keep them available to the common wine drinker. Below is a run down of the major regions and some of the fantastic wines that each region puts out.
We must of course mention Spain's most celebrated wine region and its most celebrated wineries. Rioja is home to some of the most impressive and storied bodegas in all of Spain. They specialize in wines made from Tempranillo that are often aged for quite some time in barrel and in bottle before release depending on their category. There are four distinct categories of wine in Rioja that have rules that encompass each, these are Rioja (formally Vin Joven) , Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva. The basic "Rioja" distinction are usually simple wines that don't require much ageing and are meant to be consumed within the first couple of years after their release. These are easy-drinking wines that will lower tannin levels made from usually younger vineyards. "Crianza" is considered a step up in quality and requires a minimum of one year in cask and a few months in bottle before release. Reserva are wines selected from the best vintages that must be aged for a minimum of three years total and at least one of those years in barrel. The wines carrying the distinction of Gran Reserva are wine made in only exceptional vintages and require a minimum of at least two years in cask and an additional three years bottle age before release. Some of the best and most famous producers are Viña El Pisón, Bodegas Muga, Bodegas Roda, R. Lopez de Heredia, Bodegas Cune, Bodegas Ondarre, Marques de Riscal, Bodegas Martionez Laorden, Marques de Murrieta, Cotino, Contador, and several others.
This is a younger region that's only been a recognized DO since 1982. This doesn't mean that their wines aren't up to snuff though, in fact, they are some of Spain's most sought after reds and can be the most expensive as well. Like Rioja, the wines are generally based on the red grape Tempranillo. Grenache and Cabernet Sauvignon are also used, but not quite so often. In contrast to the wines of Rioja, these reds tend to be a bit bolder and powerful. They are typically made in a more modern style and are often aged in small French oak barriques instead of the traditional American oak barrels that many Rioja producers still use to this day. Some of the best producers include Bodegas Vega Sicilia, Dominio de Pingus, Pesquera, Condado de Haza, Emilio Moro and Bodegas Linaje Garsea makes especially good Ribera..
These are some of the most incredibly distinct wines that really show Grenache with a rare and unique typicity. Of course, everything done in Catalonia is a bit unique and impressive. The region has become somewhat of a cult producer with wines that score outrageous marks from the critics, and demand top dollar on the market. What's great though is that there are also good examples of Priorat that are very affordable. The wines of Priorat are dark and inky and must contain a minimum alcohol percentage of 13.5% by Spanish laws for the DO. Carignan or Carinena is a secondary grape used in the region, but is somewhat rustic in nature and doesn't normally dominate the blend.
This region in Galicia is home to some of the best and most distinguishable white wines on the earth. Albariño is by far Spain's most outstanding white variety and has incredible complexity for a white grape normally fermented in stainless steel vats. The grape is actually indigenous to the sub-zone in Rias Baixas called Val do Salnés. Albariño wines embody an exciting salinity and minerality gained from the regions' close proximity to the ocean. The wine has a great high, but balanced acidity and full weight and mouthfeel somewhat similar to Viognier. The aromatic complexity of these wines is also quite stunning and really has its own character that is incomparable to other wines of the world. Paso do Mar Albarino is one of our favourites at Wineman.
Home of Spain's magnificent sparkling wines made in the traditional Champagne method (secondary ferment in bottle). The traditional grapes used to make CAVA are Xarello, Macabeu, and Parellada. Chardonnay is also sometimes used and is permitted under the DO. 95% of all the Cava produced in Spain comes from the area of Penedes located in Catalonia. Cava is a touch less yeasty and rich than Champagne normally is and has a somewhat different flavour profile. The wines are also much more affordable than the majority of French-made sparkling wines. One of the fantastic contributions to the world of sparkling wine that was innovated in Spain was the invention of the gyropallete, which is a large mechanized and rotating device that replaced the need for hand riddling.
Talking about the great wine regions of Spain without mentioning Jerez would be a crime because Sherry is one of the most unique and underappreciated wines in the world. Made primarily from the Palomino grape, Sherry are intentionally oxidized white wines that carry an amazing amount of complexity and a flavour profile all of their own. There are several distinct and unique styles of Sherry ranging from light and dry, to darker, richer, heavier, and sweet. Without getting too into the intricacies of fermentation techniques and the use of the "solera" a system of progressing barrel fermentation, let's just simply say that Sherry is one of the best and most underrated wine and food paring matches. It goes extremely well with green olives, all sorts of spanish cured meats, and cheeses native to the region.
Bodegas Ondarre Valdebaron Blanco White Rioja, 2020 A creamy and savoury Tempranillo Blanco, with delicate aromas of white flowers layered with ripe melon interlaced with ginger through to a deliciously...
Finca OS Cobatos Godello Blanco 2018Finca OS Cobatos is one of the most modern wineries in the region and perfectly equipped to make stunningly fresh white wines. The estate is...
Dominio de Fontana Sauvignon Blanc Verdejo 2019The Dominio de Fontana Sauvignon Blanc and Verdejo blend is a superb white wine. Grassy and gooseberry notes from the Sauvignon Blanc combine with...
Dominio de Fontana Tempranillo Syrah Roble 2018The Dominio de Fontana Tempranillo Sryah blend is a concentrated and full flavoured red with expressive notes of ripe, red berries complemented by notes...
Coral do Mar Albarino 2020Albarino is the perfect match to shellfish and the Coral Do Mar is a fantastic value for money example. This wine is crisp and clean in...
Hiruzta Txakoli 2019 Hirutzta Txakoli is a difficult wine to pronounce but is one you won't forget when you try it. Think of the crisp freshness of a Riesling combined...
Ondarre Rioja Reserva 2017Bodegas Ondare, whose winery is in Viana 10KM from Logrono, the Riojas capital, has all the advantages of a bodega which was conceived and designed with a...
Javier Sanz Rueda Verdejo 2020 Flavours of melon and green apple enhanced by candied citrus fruit, full-flavoured and refreshing. Producer Note - The Sanz family have been producing quality wines...
Finca Bacara Time Waits for No One Stone Elephant 2020 The Finca Bacara Time Waits for No One Stone Elephant is a superb example of Monastrell, with its powerful and...
Mesta Tempranillo 2019The Mesta tempranillo is a vibrant and juicy, unoaked Tempranillo showing great purity and typicity with notes of red plum and raspberry combined with vanilla, soft and appealing.Producer...
Mesta Garnacha 2017The Mesta Garnacha is a juicy, fleshy unoaked red wine, showing great purity and typicity of high-altitude Garnacha vines full of vibrant red fruit flavours in a soft...
Mesta Tempranillo Rosé 2019 availableThe Mesta tempranillo Rosé wine is a pale delicate rosé, in a light, elegant style with fresh berry aromas and subtle floral notes with a beautifully...
Mesta Verdejo 2019The Mesta Verdejo from Uclés is a crisp, aromatic wine, showing great purity of aromas with fresh notes of grass, fennel and white pepper, dry and refreshing on...
Dominio de Fontana Garnacha Syrah 2018 The Garnacha Syrah Blend from Dominio de Fontana is a rich, juicy red showing intense aromas and great purity of fruit, complemented by expressive...
Xose Lois Sebio Hush Ribeiro 2015The Hush red wine from Xosé Lois Rebio is complex and intense with lush blackcurrant, mocha and spice flavours, fleshy, opulent and textured.Producer Note -...
Xose Lois Sebio Salvaxe Ribeiro 2015The Salvaxe from Xosé Lois Sebio has intense mineral notes with a touch of white peach, apple and a beautiful flinty and purity of flavour.Producer...
Xose Lois Sebio Superheroe Ribeiro 2017The Superheroe from Xosé Lois Sebio is a fragrant and sturdy blend highlighting notes of violet, black fruits, figs and plums, combined with mineral overtones...
Xose Lois Sebio Godello Mais Ala Valdeorras 2018The Godello Mais Ala white wine from Xosé Lois Sebio is beautifully textured, this wine made from the Godello grape shows spicy and...
Xose Lois Sebio Coios Bierzo 2015The Coios from Xosé Lois Sebio is a vibrant and aromatic example of Mencia, with floral notes, fresh red fruits and coffee and mineral notes...
Tandem Garnacha Inmune 2019The Tandem Garnacha Immune is a high altitude wine displaying a powerful expression of terroir, with intense red fruit aromas enhanced by subtle scrubland notes.Producer Note -...
Xosé Lois Sebio O Con White wine 2015The Xose Lois Sebio Albarino O Con Rias Baixas is an intense and aromatic example of Spain's iconic variety, Albariño. Citrus fruits combine...
Blanco Senorio de Ondarre 2018Bodegas Ondarre, is based in Viana, a historic town 6 kilometres from Logroño, Rioja's capital. Founded in 1986 it has quickly become one of the standout...
Hiruzta Txakoli Berezia 2017The project has been launched by the Rekalde Family, whose aim is to restore the tradition of txakoli production in Hondarribia (the town which lends its name...
Hugonell Rioja Joven 2019 Vintage - 2013 Country - Spain Region - Rioja Grape Varieties - Tempranillo 90%, Garnacha 10% Alcohol by volume -...
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