Spain
Spain has been making wine for thousands of years but not until more recent times have the wines been exported. The Phylloxera blight that devastated the French vineyards and in particular those of Bordeaux sent the merchants scurrying across the border to Rioja in search of something to satisfy the needs of their clients. Rioja to this day remains the most popular fo Sanish wines in export markets.
Rioja is home to the Tempranillo grape where it grows to perfection. In the northern regions of the area - the Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa - it produces some majestic wines that are now world class thanks to the development of winemaking techniques. Further south in the Rioja Baja which is hotter and with sandier soils, it is often necessary to blend in other international grape varieties such as Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon to give the wines more complexity.
Navarra is producing some interesting offerings but a little jewel to watch out for in the north east is Somontano (Spain's Piemonte) where as well as Tempranillo, some aromatic grape varieties are faring well such as Gewürztraminer.
In Catalunya, the Penedes region is making some incredible wines. This is the home of Cava, Spain's version of Champagne, but now some wonderful still wines are on offer which can offer exceptional value and make a change from drinking Chardonnay and Cabernet sauvignon. Priorat and Monsant also offer some incredible red wines but prices tend to be higher here.
Ribera del Duero which can have some really harsh winters is another great exponent of Tempranillo (the local name been Tinto Fino) The limestone soils suit it perfectly and the long, slow ripening periods give wines of great freshness. For white wines, Rueda is one of the most successful regions and Verdejo is the key to its success. It gives wines that are quite aromatic with floral and grassy notes not unlike Sauvignon Blanc.
Another great white grape variety that is very much invoke at present is Albarino and look no further than Rias Baixss if you're searching for something good. The Atlantic coastline gently cools the vineyards and the fresh and vibrant wines can have notes of apples and pears in both aroma and on the palate.
The largest region in terms of production is without doubt La Mancha where Don Quixote went tilting at windmills. A region that was once noted for producing huge amounts of undistinguished wine is now crafting some decent offerings at remarkably good prices. The watchword remains buyer beware so do try them before splashing out.
No article on Spanish wine would be complete without mentioning Sherry. Now back in fashion in a small way in the UK, Sherry can make a wonderful aperitif but in our opinion, do go for the dry, Fino style unless you're looking for a desert wine when the full-on and brooding Pedro Ximenez comes into its own.
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£12.90Terra De Asorei Albariño
Terra De AsoreiThis is a first class Albarino. A beautiful straw and lemon yellow coloured wine with herbal aromas of bay leaf, balsam and dill, Terra De Asorei A...
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£8.20Vega Badenes Tempranillo/Merlot/Syrah
Vega BadenesThis unique blend from Vega Badenes works extremely well and here they have produced a light red, full of red berry character that is an admirable ...
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£11.50Bodegas Señorío De Arana Viña Del Oja Rioja Crianza
Bodegas Señorío De AranaBodegas Senorio De Arana Vina Del Oja Rioja Crianza has a bright, ruby colour with a nose of ripe red fruits and hints of oak, touches of vanilla a...
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£10.95Bodegas Pedro Escudero Valdelainos Verdejo
Bodegas Pedro EscuderoBodegas Pedro Escudero Valdelainos Verdejo is so typical of the best Rueda whites, with fennel/anise and hay aromas enriched by subtle notes of tro...
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£19.90Bodegas Señorío De Arana Viña Del Oja Rioja Gran Reserva
Bodegas Señorío De AranaBodegas Senorio De Arana Vina Del Oja Rioja Gran Reserva has a developed nose of dried red berries, a touch of vanilla, some gamey notes and a hint...
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£13.80Bodegas Señorío De Arana Viña Del Oja Rioja Reserva
Bodegas Señorío De AranaBodegas Senorio De Arana Vina Del Oja Rioja Reserva is a wine of bright cherry hue with complex aromas of berry fruit and vanilla oak. It is mouth-...
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£8.95Bodegas Pedro Escudero Fuente Milano Verdejo Viura
Bodegas Pedro EscuderoBodegas Pedro Escudero Fuente Milano Verdejo Viura is a brilliant greenish-yellow colour, its elegant nose displays the classic, gently herbal note...
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£13.75Sierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza
Sierra CantabriaSierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza is a bright ruby-red colour with light but intense tones. Ripe berry fruit aromas, well balanced, with complex, spic...
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Original price £14.95Current price £12.70Parés Baltà Cava Brut
Parés BaltàPares Balta Cava Brut is a deliciously dry, sparkling wine made in the Champagne method yet with plenty of bright, soft fruit flavours. It has a me...
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£12.50Paco Molina Cava Brut
Bodegas CusinéPaco Molina Cava Brut is pale yellow in colour, it has medium intensity nose of white fruits - pear and apple - together with floral notes and a sl...
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£25.90Sierra Cantabria Rioja Gran Reserva
Sierra Cantabria"Aromas of sandalwood, Asian spices, incense, violets, mineral, and assorted black fruits lead to a masculine, burly wine with outstanding volume, ...
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£11.50Sierra Cantabria Rioja Selección
Sierra CantabriaSierra Cantabria Rioja Seleccion is ruby red with lighter violet shades at the edge of the glass. Raspberry and blackberry fruit on the nose, with ...
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£11.25Sierra Cantabria Rioja Rosado
Sierra CantabriaSierra Cantabria Rioja Rosado is light salmon pink with aromas of red berries, delicate and exotic aniseed notes and nuances of fresh fruit such as...
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£8.90Dominio De Eguren Protocolo Tinto
Sierra CantabriaDominio De Eguren Protocolo Tinto is a wine of great focus and depth yet with great charm and finesse. Plenty of spicy red berries on the nose, ver...
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£39.90Señorío De San Vicente Rioja San Vicente 2016
Señorío De San VicenteSenorio De San Vicente Rioja San Vicente 2016 has a promising nose of wood smoke, spices, lavender and blackberry fruit. Dense, rich and concentrat...
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£35.95Teso La Monja Victorino 2010
Teso La MonjaTeso La Monja Victorino 2010 is a black cherry red with a purple rim. An aromatic and intense nose, with myriad notes of wild black fruits (blueber...
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£16.75Dominio Romano Camino Romano Ribera Del Duero
Dominio RomanoDominio Romano Camino Romano Ribera Del Duero is purple-red in colour and presents intense fruity aromas of red and black fruit confiture. On the p...
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£22.25Teso La Monja Almiréz 2019
Teso La MonjaThe 2019 Almirez was produced with grapes from their 41.7 hectares of vines that are 15 to 65 years old. The destemmed grapes were foot trodden and...
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£12.50Parés Baltà Blanc De Pacs
Parés BaltàPares Balta Blanc De Pacs has ripe, white orchard fruits on the nose that are echoed on the palate, tempered by pithy, zesty lemon acidity and a ch...
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£8.20Vega Badenes Verdejo
Vega BadenesVega Badenes Verdejo is a fresh and vibrant white wine for drinking either by itself or with a wide variety of foods. The light colour is a pale ye...
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£19.95Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva
Sierra CantabriaSierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva is bright purple with oak-spiced aromas of dark berries and cherry on the nose. Fleshy, sweet and broad, offering lu...
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£22.95Viñedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva Única
Viñedos Sierra CantabriaVinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva Unica is bright ruby in colour. Expressive aromas of redcurrant, cherry, liquorice, cinnamon and allspice. S...
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£34.70Teso La Monja Victorino 2009
Teso La MonjaTeso La Monja Victorino 2009 is a plush, modern Toro red, seeing smokey, spicy notes mingle with cocoa, blackberry, tar and liquorice flavours, all...
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£12.50Parés Baltà Mas Petit
Parés BaltàPares Balta Mas Petit displays a deep, dark garnet colour. The nose is full of spice and smoke, along with blackberry, black olive, dried herbs and...
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