Spain

• Alicante
• Andalusia
• Campo de Borja
• Castilla y Leon
  • Bierzo
• Catalonia
• Jerez
• Jumilla
• Madrid
• La Mancha
• Manchuela
• Méntrida
• Montsant
• Navarra
• Pais Vasco (Basque)
• Priorat
• Rias Baixas
• Ribera Del Duero
• Ribera del Guadiana
• Rioja
• Rueda
• Terra Alta
• Toro
• Valdeorras
• Valdepeñas
• Valencia
• Yecla

Purple with slight dark brown swirls.  On the nose this is dusty with persistent barnyard.  Some cherries.  It tastes older and past prime on the palate but still worth drinking.  Some barnyard too but cherry fruit and dried cherries.  A bit drying on the finish.  Not sure if this is a representative bottle but this is a current release.  Better with food; meats and stews would work well.  

It had been a long time since I tried this ubiquitous Rioja wine.  It is still very good and an excellent value at around $15.  Purple/garnet in color.  The nose is nice with spice, cherries and slight black cherries.  With air some vanilla comes out.  On the palate, this is soft and accessible.  Light tannins.  Cherries and slight dill.  Good finish.  This will work with almost any food.  

Good showing for this wine despite being four years from vintage.  Light yellow gold in color.  The nose has a nice minerality with chervil and slight peach.  On the palate, there is a crisp underlying minerality along with a peach and citrus component.  Good acidity.  This is fresh and lively.  It will work with most lighter and medium foods and be great with seafood and fresh salads.  

This is the second bottle from a Case bought on release to celebrate special moments with my son (his birth year).  (The first was opened for his high school graduation.)  Decanted for sediment and served.  Deep garnet in color.  The nose has some stink to it.  Personally, I thought it was great but there is a warm barnyard quality to it along with some cherry lozenges and a bit of char.  On the palate, this drinks very clean.  Light tannins that build with air.  Complex layers of forest floor, cherries, slight dried cherries and char.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  Went great with some

Ruby/purple in color.  The nose has cranberries and tobacco.  On the palate, this is interesting.  More red currants than cranberries (or cherries).  Tart fruit.  slight tannins.  OK finish.  Drinking well now, it won't get better and is better consumed in the next few years.  Food friendly.  

A perennial great value and this one was no exception.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose is a bit sweaty with nice cherry fruit.  Also a slight minty note.  On the palate, this has deep cherry fruit.  A sort of root beer quality creeps in which is interesting.  Medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Still youthful, this should have five to ten more years and will develop tertiary notes.  Will work with bigger foods right now.  

Kirkland is the Costco store brand name.  For many, they are dismissive over the wine, but my experiences with Kirkland wines has been positive.  Not amazing wines, but very good wines for very reasonable pricing.  This one is a Tempranillo from Ribera del Duero.  It was my WOTN in a tasting of value wines.  Ruby in color though a bit flat.  The nose has dusty red cherries with a bit of baking spice.  On the palate, this has a soft texture, but the tannins are firm and build with air.  Really nice cherry fruit.  It is a bit warm on the finish.  Very food friendly for most foods.  And all fo

A very nice bottle of Rioja that also happens to be Kosher.  This vintage is still available for around $25, but younger vintages can be found for under $15.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight dill.  Still has some firm tannins, but the overall texture is soft.  Lots of cherries and some sour cherries on the palate with some underlying dry earthiness.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  For those looking for Kosher wines, this is a nice alternative and will go great with seafood but also chicken.  This bottle is 5 years from vintage and drinking great, b

This was another crowd pleaser.  People kept asking to know more Albarino and how to say Rias Baixas.  I was able to help with the former, but they were on their own with the later.  Silvery green gold in color.  The nose is nice if not ebullient.  Slightly saline with crushed shells and slight pears.  On the palate, this has a nice slightly oily texture.  The palate is all about minerality.  The finishes turns tart green apples in a good and refreshing way.  Quite food friendly for all but the heartiest of dishes.  This is a bit more full bodied than most Albarino's from Spain.  That is ne

Seems like a pretty modern take on Rioja.  Ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, slight dust, and a bit of black cherries.  On the palate, this is drinking well.  Cherries, black cherries with medium tannins.  Nice finish.  Easy drinking but also a bit of depth.  This will please with or without food.  This retails for around $20 which is a great value.