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

Back in November of 2007 I was putting together a wine tasting of wines from Andalusia.  It was the final region of Spain from a series of Spain; the Food and the Wines - Region by region.  It was almost impossible to find any table wines from this region (famous for Sherry and fortified wines).  I posted on the old Robert Parker web site's Mark Squire discussion Board looking for help.  In response, Nola Palomar said that she would be delighted to come and serve their wines.  I explained that first, we lived in Cleveland, Ohio and second, it was only ten or twelve of us.  Nola responded th

Wow.  This is smoking right now.  Probably at or very close to peak but should stay there for a decade.  Ruby in color.  The nose is great with cherries, sandalwood, dust and a bit of dry earthiness.  On the palate, this has great balance.  Good acidity.  Light tannins.  Complex with layers of cherries, slight dried cherries, spice and earth.  It does have a slight roasted quality but not in the fruit just a sort or arid quality (terroir?).  Absolutely great with food.  This wine is not inexpensive but worth buying 2 bottles; one to drink soon and one to lay down.  

This is a nice value red from the Rioja region of Spain.   It retails for around $16 which is a great price for a nice red.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, there are cherries and some tobacco.  Slight tannins.  Good balance.  There is some depth/complexity here but this is not a wine to be aged.  That said, if well stored it should be good for at least five more years.  Works well with a wide variety of food.  

This is a Rose wine from the region of Montsant in Spain.  It is made from Garnacha (Grenache) grapes.  An interesting color; sort of electric pale pink.  Pretty.  The nose has scents of celery and cherries which is nice.  On the palate, this is light bodied and very easy to drink.  Refreshing.  This is not a fruit bomb.  This retails for under $15 and provides a nice value at that price.  Affordable for summer get togethers.  

This is a dessert wine/sherry.  Made from the Pedro Ximénez grape.  Brown in color.  The nose smells like a tootsie-roll which is nice.  Chocolate, confectionery sugar.  This pours like motor oil; thick and viscous.  On the palate, the tootsie-roll quality continues thru.  Slightly sweet.  Good acidity.  No need for food, this is a dessert on its own.  It is a tough food match.  This wine is made from a Solera method with theoretically some portion of the wine dating to 1927.  It is unclear how much and this tastes young.  That said, for $25, this is a stellar dessert wine that is fun and d

76% Syrah, 13% Monastrell, and 11% Bobal.  This is a blend coming from central Spain.  It is a more modern take despite being from an almost forgotten wine region.  Purple in color.  The nose is nice with black raspberries, some plums, black pepper, roasted meats and herbs.  On the palate, this is at peak.  No hurry but I would drink in the next five to ten years.  Layers of black raspberry fruit with earth and pepper.  A nice complexity.  Good balance.  Good on its own or with food.  This was a powerhouse in its youth but has matured nicely.  When you drink them really is more of an issue

Sherries are to a particular taste.  Very Old Rare Sherries may even be more so due to the cost.  Personally, I love them.  This bottle was consumed over three days.  It was at its best on day 3 (wine was corked and stored on the counter).  Gorgeous color of shimmering light brown/gold/orange.  Clear and bright in the glass.  On the nose, this is so complex.  Caramel, tootsie rolls, some alcohol, camphor/iodine, and minerals.  Complex.  On day 2 and 3, the alcohol is less noticeable.  It is oxidized but doesn't offend (me).  On the palate, it feels like there will be a bit from either the a

Purple in color.  The nose is tight but with air shows some black cherries.  On the palate, this has sweet fruit/dark cherries.  It is modern in style and a fruit forward Tempranillo.  It retails for around $22.  Plan on drinking it in the next five years or so.  It is a very tasty wine.  Good value as well.  

Purple/ruby in color.  The nose is nice; spice, plums and cherries with a bit of dill.  Nice texture.  Slight tannins.  Tart cherries on the palate.  Nice finish.  This retails for $33.  It is drinking well now and should be good for five to ten years.  

This is a relatively inexpensive bottle of sherry (I paid $10 on sale).  Light golden in color.  The nose is very nice; nuts, slight caramel, slight saline and of course "Sherried".  On the palate, this is dry.  Nutty with some caramel notes.  A bit of bitterness.  Some alcohol.  Deep and texture.  Contemplative.  Long finish.  Great value.  It really does perform much better with salty foods.