Join us this Friday for another installment of our “545” tastings, whereby you get to try 5 wines for $5, unless you’re a Grape Nut, in which case it’s free. Spain continues to offer some of the world’s greatest wine values, and we’re going to expose you to a few of them at this Friday’s tasting. The Spanish have been cultivating the vine for hundreds of years, refining their techniques and methods in the vineyards and the cellars, and today, they are producing some of their best wines ever.
The country produces a wide range of styles of wines, from light and refreshing whites to rich, extracted reds and everything in between. We’ll start the tasting with a bright Verdejo that will make your mouth water before we try a Spanish white that is completely unique and original (read about it below). Next up will be a three-wine flight of Spanish reds, including a pure and spicy Garnacha followed by two Tempranillos that taste dramatically different. Should be fun!
The Wines You’ll Get To Try
Prices range from $10 to $17
1. 2012 Garciarevalo Casamaro Blanco (Rueda, Spain) – Every time we taste this wine, we can’t believe it sells for such a great price! A blend of 90% Verdejo and 10% Viura from vines that go from 15 to 145 years of age, it is bright and tangy, with plenty of melon, lime and citrus zest.
2. 2012 Avinyo Petillant (Penedes, Spain) – Petillant is a vi d’agulla, a charming and slightly frizzante (sparkling) wine from the Penedes region of Spain. It’s name means “wine with a prickle” and it is intended as a fresh, summertime wine. This one is super pretty and aromatic with floral, honeysuckle and honeydew aromas and flavors.
3. 2011 Joan D’Anguera “Altaroses” (Montsant, Spain) – We love the wines from the brothers D’Anguera. This one is made up entirely of Granatxa, the old Catalan name for Garnacha, and it is a perfect summertime red wine. Light to medium bodied, but no wimpy by any means, it is loaded with fresh red fruits, peppery spice and soft tannins.
4. 2011 Obalo Rioja Roble (Rioja, Spain) – 100% Tempranillo from older vines fermented in stainless steel and then aged in new French oak for 4 months. This is very modern, user-friendly Rioja with supple notes of blueberry and black raspberry, along with pretty floral nuances.
5. 2011 Entre Suelos Tempranillo (Castilla Y Leon, Spain) – Similar upbringing to #4, with 6 months in French oak, but this is an entirely different species of wine. Super dark, super smokey/oaky and more structure make this a Cab-lovers wine. You won’t believe the price!