What Region . . .? International attention has definitely focused on Spain over the last several years. Many people are discovering what the Spanish have known for a long time. Spain has a huge variety of wine of amazing quality. And great values abound. Here are five wines to explore some of the varietals that are making a name for Spanish wines outside of Rioja. Try a couple and see why these are offering values far beyond most wine growing regions.
Altos de la Hoya Monastrell 2002, Jumilla - An enticing mouthful of deep, dark fruit on this Monastrell made from older, ungrafted vines. A superb value - $9.99 Riocua Mencia 2000, Bierzo - Mencia is a varietal that is related to Cabernet Franc & the region of Bierzo has been producing wines since Roman times. This spends 4 months in new French oak barrels. Very smooth, with great fruit & floral flavors that are balanced by just a hint of toast. Great balance and very complete mouthful - $18.99 Abadia do Cova Seleccion Especial Mencia 2001, Ribera Sacra - Ribera Sacra is actually in Galicia, just over the mountains from Bierzo. Another Mencia that spends 10 months in a mix of French & American oak, this is not as exuberant as the Riocua, but complex & fuller. Dark cherry, floral notes & hint of herbs on the nose make this another wine A church in northern Castilla Y worth trying. - $21.99 León. La Lengua Reserva 1999, Cigales - From a small region in Castilla Y Leon, this is an impressive Reserva. Made with older vine Tempranillo, this is an excellent wine from this region better known for its rosados. Ripe red berries are framed by firm, smooth tannins with great hints of coffee, vanilla & licorice. - $22.99 Altos de Luzon 2002, Jumilla - The new vintage on this popular wine has just arrived. Unfortunately the price has gone up a little from last year, but it is still a blockbuster. A blend of Monastrell,, Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon. I really liked the ‘01, but the ‘02 is actually even better. Rich fruit, softer tannins & great balance of toast. - $21.99 Finca Son Bordils Negre 2000 - From Mallorca, this is a blend of two native grapes called Callet & Manto Negro with a hefty amount of Merlot and small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon & Syrah. Another juicy wine, but has nice acidic balance & interesting floral notes from the Mallorcan grapes. - $22.99
Bring on the Celebration! Another 4th of July is almost upon us. And what better way for Spanish wine lovers (A.K.A. me) to celebrate this holiday then with a glass of Cava. We have recently stocked up on some great tasting Cavas! Personally a couple of these, a huge pile of oysters & some good friends are in the plans for the 4th.
Cristalino Rosado Brut - A best seller every summer. This has crisp, tart raspberry & watermelon flavors. Try this in a Mimosa (maybe brunch on the 4th), it looks great. - $7.99 Parxet Cuvée 21 Brut - One of my favorite every day sparklers! Bright with a hint of toasty yeast. This is one of the lucky ones to go with oysters. - $9.99 Can Vendrell Brut Reserva - My favorite cava for the price. It is actually made by the same winemaker as the Cuvée 21. Bright, crisp & really clean. - $13.99 Privat Opus Evolutium Brut Nature Gran Reserva - Another cava made by the same winemaker as the previous two. This is his personal project and is made from 100% Chardonnay. An excellent Blanc de Blanc and packaged in a gorgeous tall bottle. It tastes as good as it looks. - $24.99 Gramona Imperial Gran Reserva 1998 - A stand out Cava. This is poured by the glass at several of the Michelin starred restaurants in Spain, including Arzak & Raco de Can Fabes. Great Above the entry door at Parxet. toast, ginger, yeast and small, tight bubbles. Tastes similar to a stand out Champagne at a fraction of the cost. - $24.99 Rimarts Brut Nature Reserva Especial - Another 100% Chardonnay from this small producer in Cataluña. Smooth & bone dry with apples & toast.
Best values! Wines priced for every day, but something special awaits in that bottle!
Coto de Hayas Crianza 2000, Campo de Borja - A total staff favorite here at the Spanish Table. Great balance, smooth, full fruit & a great buy. - $8.99 Pago de los Capellanes Joven 2002, Ribera del Duero - Only 3 months in barrels, but this wine has a depth & complexity not typically found in joven style wines. - $13.99 Quinta do Alqueve Tradicional 2001, Ribatejo - Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo) & Periquita aged in neutral barrels for 12 months. A spicy, fuller-bodied wine with very good fruit. - $10.99 Terroso 2001, Douro - Another tasty Portuguese offering. Several grapes commonly found in port make up this blend of Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz & Tinta Barroca. Drinking beautifully right now with the Touriga France giving more floral notes than Quinta do Alqueve. - $9.99 Pago de Valleoscuro Rosado 2003 - This comes from Valles de Benavente which is in northern Castilla Y León heading towards the mountains into Galicia. This tasty rosado is a Traditional sherry style wines Rueda ageing. blend of Tempranillo & a local variety called Prieto Picudo. Tasty, bright, crisp & refreshing. All that a rosado should be. - $9.99 Oro de Castilla Verdejo 2003, Rueda - Another new Verdejo. A gorgeous nose that jumps out of the glass with full, fat flavors of peach, mango, grapefruit & fresh herbs. Great cleansing acidity cuts through at the finish, leaving you ready for another glass. - $11.99 Old Rioja Newer wines & wineries are booming in Spain. But there is something to be said for los vinos tradicionales de Rioja. Some of the most amazing wines I have had are older classical Riojas. We have many other older Riojas. They have all been purchased & shipped directly from the winery and do not come from any private collections.
CUNE Viña Real Gran Reserva 1950 - A new addition to our older wine selections. - $240.00 CUNE Viña Real Gran Reserva 1975 - I will definitely celebrate my brother’s 30th birthday next year with this. If it’s still around, I’ll let you know what I think then, but check out the wine I recently had below. - $173.00 Lopez de Heredia Viña Bosconia 1976 - I had this at dinner two weeks ago while dining at the Fifth Floor in San Francisco (I brought it to dinner). All I have to say is that I purchased a couple more bottles. An absolutely stunning old Old vine Tempranillo in La Rioja. Rioja. When I picked up the glass to try it for the first time, the aroma exploded. Gorgeous, with amazingly level of fruit & stunning complexity. Almost sweet in the mouth, but the acid tied everything together perfectly & left me salivating for more. Gorgeous, very impressive and I have one case left. At this price, this is a steal for this amazing a wine. Did I mention how well it went with squab and poached pork belly with truffles? Ok, I admit it. . .I liked this wine. - $103.00 Muga Gran Reserva 1969 - Another new arrival. I have not tried this yet, but it is high on my list. Muga is one of my favorite wineries and what a price. - $83.00
July Wine Clubs And last but not least. Here are July’s wine club selections. Selección de Valor - $19.99 La Legua Crianza 1999, Cigales Regular retail $18.99, our price $16.99 Artazuri Rosado 2003, Navarra Regular retail $8.99 Selección Privada - $59.99 Viña Sastre Pago de Santa Cruz 1998, Ribera del Duero Regular retail $49.99, our price $39.99 Cortes de Cima Incógnito 2001, Alentejo Regular retail $35.99 June/July Mariner’s Society - $79.99 Lustau Almacenista Fino del Puerto, Jerez Regular retail $15.99 Sandeman Royal Esmeralda Amontillado, Jerez Regular retail $22.99 Domecq Sibarita Palo Cortado, Jerez Regular retail price $85.00