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

This is 100% Monastrell (also known as Mourvedre) from Jumilla, Spain.  It is another excellent red value from outside the main wine growing regions of Spain.  Purple/ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has a dusty attic quality along with plums and a bit of iodine.  Interesting.  On the palate, this has black cherries and plums.  A bit of spice.  Some acidity.  Not a lot of complexity but easy drinking.  it should be drunk in the next year or two, but who knows, perhaps a lost bottle will surprise in five years.  It is a nice wine for a party or cook out.  It should go with most mea

From the Utiel-Requena region of northwest Spain and made from 100% Bobal grapes.  This is an excellent value red.  Ruby in color.  The nose is tight at first but opens with air to show dust and cherries.  On the palate, this has light tannins.  Nice cherry fruit.  Some black cherry fruit and a bit of earthiness.  Slight depth.  OK acidity.  This should certainly last another five years and it may get better.  It works better with food.

This is a Spanish wine made from Tinto Fino which is the local name from Tempranillo.  It was good to try another bottle as the first was badly corked.  This was very nice if a bit young.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, dust and cedar.  On the palate, this has medium tannins.  Bold cherry flavor with underlying char.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  It should continue to evolve for the next five years or so and be good for at least a decade after that.  It will go well with foods on the grill.  

Brought back from a visit a couple of years ago.  This is 90% Garnacha and 10 percent Morate.  The wines of Gredos posit a unique take on Grenache and this is no exception.  This is a great value and can be found under $20 and closer to $15 at times.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has nice cherries with some salinity and a bit of minerality.  Clean.  On the palate, bright cherries over minerals with some salinity.  Medium bodied.  Some depth.  Nice finish.  A bit of acidity but enough.  This will work with lighter foods and fowl.  Great with stews.  It is drinking well but probably has anot

This is a Garnacha (Grenache) from the region of Navarra in north central Spain.  Although Spain is in Europe, many of its wines are very much new world in style and this one certainly is.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is pretty with black cherries, cedar, with slight figs/raisins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit over a bed of charred wood.  Still pretty thick tannins.  Nice finish.  This wine needs more time to develop but there should be an upside.  It drinks surprisingly young at age ten but all of the pieces parts are there.  It worked well with grilled Tofu (and would with meat or

This comes from northwest Spain.  It is made from 100% Mencia grapes and spends six months in oak and six in bottle before being released.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose is nice with cherries, soy and spice.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries with an underlying spice.  Light tannins.  Good acidity.  This should hold for three to five years if stored well.  It will go well with chicken and lighter meat dishes as well as vegetable dishes.  

This comes from northwest Spain and is made from 100% Godello grapes.  It is an interesting take on this varietal seeming more modern and new world than many.  Pale golden in color.  The nose is nice with limes and slight vanilla notes.  There is a slight golden raisin note with air and then a bit of peach and mint.  Really very pleasant.  On the palate, this is soft and smooth.  Medium bodied.  Good acidity.  Notes of dry pineapple (if that makes sense) with a touch of vanilla and a bit of peach.  This should be drunk in the next year or two.  It will go well with seafood or fowl and certa

Moro is one of the top producers in Ribera del Duero.  This is their entry level red and is made from Tinto de Toro (a clone of Tempranillo).  It spends four months in oak before being bottled.  Purple/ruby in color.  Mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust and slight dill notes.  On the palate, this is very ripe fruit.  Very light tannins.  Mostly cherries, some sour cherries with some black licorice notes and spice especially on the finish.  This is made for immediate drinking and it is fine for that.  It will works with stews and foods without strong flavors.  

This is from the Basque region of Spain and made from the Hondarrabi Zuri grape.  It is a delightful, inexpensive white that is great for summer drinking.  This style of wine intentionally has some spritz to it which makes it all the more refreshing.  It did not contain a vintage designation but did have a Euro Lot no indicating it was bottled in 2018.  Silvery green in color.  The nose is interesting with minerals, slight hay and dried sea weed.  On the palate, there is that slight bit of spritz along with a lemony/lime quality and minerals.  This is not deep or contemplative but it is enj

Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is pretty with cherries, black cherries, slight dust, and spice.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Flavors of black cherries with some dill.  Light tannins.  Medium finish.  Very food friendly, this should go with a wide variety but stews and casseroles should do very well.  It is probably close to peak but should be at this level for a decade.  Available for around $15, this is a great value in traditional Rioja.