Spain is large country with a long history of wine production – just click on the map below, and you’ll see that the vine is planted east to west and north to south. We’ll explore wines from some of the more well known regions along with some of Spain’s lesser known regions and grape varieties. The common theme is that they all taste great! The tasting runs from 4:00 to 7:00 this Friday, May 27, and the cost is $5 per person or free if you’re a Grape Nut.
1. Vevi Rueda Blanco – Rueda is in northwestern Spain and is home to some of the country’s zestiest, brightest white wines. This one is a blend of Verdejo and Viura and is somewhat reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc with tangy grapefruit, lime and green apple and a subtle hint of green herbs.
2. Louro do Bolo Godello – We’re even further north and west with this incredibly complex and spicy white wine composed entirely of Spain’s native Godello varietal. Tasted blind, I would guess it to be a $25 to $30 White Burgundy (Chardonnay), with a nice core of spiced apple and white peach and subtle nuances of baking spices.
3. Vera de Estenas Bobal “Barricas” – We move to Spain’s southeastern coast now, Utiel Requena to be exact, and this will probably be the first time that many of you have sampled the Bobal grape. This obscure grape produces wines with naturally high levels of acid and tannin, but this one balances that out with lovely ripe raspberry, cherry and plum fruit along with a slightly funky, earthy edge.
4. Bodegas Hermanos Pecina Rioja – No Spanish tasting would be complete without at least one Rioja, and this one makes my head spin it’s so good! Composed almost entirely of Tempranillo and made by Hermanos Pecina Crespo who was the long time vineyard manager for La Rioja Alta, it is dark in color and offers up gorgeous notes of dark fruits, spices and violet.
5. Federico Ribera del Duero – We move south from Rioja closer to the Portuguese border into Ribera del Duero to sample a wine from Federico Fernandez. This is 100% Tempranillo but the drier, warmer conditions of the region, relative to Rioja,result in a wine with more color, more power and more structure.