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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Original price £13.75Current price £11.69Terra 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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£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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£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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£14.95Bodegas 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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£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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£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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£13.95Parés 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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£21.10Bodegas 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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£13.95Sierra 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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£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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£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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£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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£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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£20.55Viñedos 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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£12.95Parés Baltà Honeymoon
Parés BaltàPares Balta Honeymoon has roses on the nose, honey on the palate! Yellow green colour with golden tints. Intense floral aromas of orange blossom on...
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£39.90Señorío De San Vicente Rioja San Vicente 2015
Señorío De San VicenteSenorio De San Vicente Rioja San Vicente 2015 has a promising nose of wood smoke, spices, lavender and blackberry fruit. Dense, rich and concentrat...
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£14.40Parés Baltà Cava Pink
Parés BaltàPares Balta Cava Pink is smooth, refreshing and very graceful on the palate, packed with ripe, red berry fruit and balanced by a crisp, fresh acidi...
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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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£11.95Paco 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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£20.95Viñedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Organza Blanca
Viñedos Sierra CantabriaVinedos Sierra Cantabria Rioja Organza Blanca is a bright straw colour. Expressive aromas of fresh white fruits, white flowers, creamy notes and a ...
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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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£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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£25.95Sierra 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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£31.75Domaines Lupier La Dama
Domaines LupierElisa has said that the 2008 Domaines Lupier La Dama is made from over 30 different Garnacha base wines blended into one, full and rich cuvée. A br...
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