65 slides on Spanish wines covering Introduction Factsheet 10 important Spanish grapes Area under cultivation Regions and sub regions Reading the wine label Famous Red Wines Famous White Wines Famous Rose Wine Food and wine pairing Hope it helps :)

1. SPANISH WINES

2. INTRODUCTION
• SPAIN HAS A HISTORY OF WINE MAKING THAT IS OVER A THOUSAND YEARSOLD, SO THERE IS A LOT TO
KNOW ABOUT SPANISH WINE.
• SPAIN IS WELL KNOWN FOR RICH RED WINES, CRISP WHITE WINES, SPARKLING WINES OR “CAVA”, AND
THE UNIQUE FORTIFIED SHERRY WINES OR “GENEROSOS”.

3. SPAIN - FACTSHEET
• GRAPES ARE THE THIRD BIGGEST CROP IN SPAIN AFTER CEREALS AND OLIVES
• 15.5% OF THE WORLD'S VINEYARDS ARE IN SPAIN, MAKING SPAIN THE NUMBER ONE RANKED COUNTRY IN
THE WORLD IN TERMS OF AREA COVERED BY VINEYARDS.
• SPANISH VINEYARDS HAVE A LOW YIELD (BECAUSE OF THE DRY CLIMATE)MEANING SPAIN IS ONLY THIRD
IN PRODUCTION BEHIND FRANCE AND ITALY.

4. SPAIN- FACTSHEET
• DESPITE MOST OF SPAIN'S WINE BEING RED, 61.5% OF SPAIN'S VINEYARDS ARE WHITE. THIS IS BECAUSE
SPAIN ALSO MAKES A LOT OF BRANDY AND SHERRY.
• THE MAIN RED GRAPE VARIETIES IN SPAIN ARETEMPRANILLO, BOBAL, GARNACHA (GRENACHE) &
MONASTRELL.
• THE MAIN WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES IN SPAIN AREAIRÉN, MACABEO, PALOMINO & PEDRO XIMENEZ.

5. SPAIN- FACTSHEET
• THERE ARE VINEYARDS IN ALL OF SPAIN'S 17 AUTONOMOUS REGIONS
• THE BIGGEST SURFACE AREA OF VINEYARDS IS INCASTILLA-LA MANCHA.
• THE MOST DENSELY PLANTED VINEYARDS IN SPAIN ARE IN LA RIOJA.
• SPAIN IS THE FIFTH BIGGEST EXPORTER OF WINE TO THE US AFTER ITALY, AUSTRALIA, FRANCE AND CHILE.

6. The top 10 most popular grapes that are
planted and originated in Spain are as
follows..

7. Albariño
This thick skinned grape is Spain's most popular
white grape, grown in the region of Galicia. The
Albariño grape produces wines that are light, high in
acid and usually have alcohol levels between 11% to
13%. It offers aromas of apricots and peaches
and leads to a nice balanced finish, perfect for any
type of fish, especially shell fish.
Carineña
Originating in the town of Carineña, this red grape is
known as a blending grape. This grape is known for
making high acid wines with strong tannins, and is
best used when blended with Garnacha and/or Syrah.
Carineña is extremely popular as it offers large yields
and can transform a simple Garnacha into a softer
wine with deeper fruit, greater fragrance, and a superb
balance.

8. Garnacha
One of the most widely planted grapes in the world, it
originates in the region of Aragon. It grows well with hot days
and cool nights and can be used alone or as a blend. Its
known for offering a dark colour with high alcohol levels and
flavours of red ripe fruit, coffee and leather, and
usually having a long finish. In Spain, it is mainly used in
the wine regions Navarra, Rioja, Priorat and Campo de Borja.
Graciano:
This red grape is most popular in the region of Rioja and is
used as a blending grape. This grape can produce a dark
colour, strong perfume and age extremely well, and is
usually harvested later than most grapes, around late
October. In Rioja, its usually used in Gran Reservas for
better structure and to promote longer lasting wines.

9. Macabeo:
Also called Viura, this white grape is used to make white Rioja's
.It is the main grape used when making the famous Spanish
sparkling wine, Cava. In Rioja they also blend this white grape
with some red grapes, such as Tempranillo and Garnacha. In
Cava it is blended with other white grapes to make sparkling
wine. This grape makes mildly acidic wines that are made to be
consumed young.
Mencia:
This red grape from the Bierzo wine region is leaner than most,
with red fruit and a lively snap of acidity. It can be compared to
Cabernet Franc, offering a dense perfume and made to be
consumed young. Within the last couple of years, many
talented Spanish wine makers have started to make wine with
old vines of Mencia grapes, and have made them with more
concentration and darker in colour.

10. Monastrell
The new wave of talented Spanish wine makers are using old vine
Monastrell in these regions to create wines as dark as night,
with relatively high alcohol levels and offering plenty of ripe fruit and
great concentration.
Palomino:
This white grape is the main source to make Sherry, Spain's famous
fortified wine. This grape is mostly found in the region of Andalucía
and is usually blended with other native grapes to make sherry.

11. Tempranillo:
Spain's most planted grape and its most famous grape. This grape is
known for making some of the best wines in Spain, the top (3) regions
that make the best Tempranillo are: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro,
where it is called "Tinta de Toro". This grape grows well in high
altitudes, with hot days and cool nights. It makes bold red wines that
offer plenty of fruit and tobacco.
Verdejo:
This white grape is grown in the region of Rueda and was always
known for making sweet white wines. This grape is usually harvested
at night and offers aromatic wines with plenty of fruit, low acid and
perfect balance.

12. Some other produced grapes
are as follows…

13. RED SPANISH GRAPES
Alicante Aragόn Bobal
Cabernet Sauvignon Callet Pinot Noir

14. WHITE SPANISH GRAPES
Airén Chardonnay Dona Blanca
Godello

15. AREA UNDER GRAPE CULTIVATION
• IN 2014, SPAIN HAS THE GREATEST AREA OF VINEYARDS IN THE WORLD- SOME 1.2 MILLION HECTARES
WHICH COMPARES TO FRANCE’S 900,000 HECTARES.
• 1 HECTARE = 107000 SQ FT
• SPAIN NOW NEARLY TIED WITH ITALY AS THE WORLD’S #2 WINE PRODUCERAFTER FRANCE.
• THERE ARE ABOUT 4600 WINERIES IN SPAIN.

16. WINE PRODUCING REGIONS OF SPAIN
• THERE ARE OVER 60 DIFFERENT REGIONAL DOS PRODUCING EVERYTHING FROM LIGHT AND ZESTY
ALBARIÑO TO INKY BLACK MONASTRELL.
• THE BEST WAY TO START UNDERSTANDING THE AREA IS TO BREAK IT INTO 7 DISTINCT CLIMATES.

17. NORTHWEST “GREEN” SPAIN
• GALICIA, VERY UNLIKE THE REST OF SPAIN, IS WHERE LUSH GREEN VALLEYS ARE PLENTIFUL AND THE
COMMON CUISINE INCLUDES LOTS OF FRESH FISH.
• ALBARIÑO IS THE CHAMPION GRAPE OF THE SUB-REGION CALLED RIAS BAIXAS (RYE-US BYE-SHUS),
WHICH SKIRTS THE COAST.
• THE AREA SPECIALIZES IN ZESTY WHITE WINES AND A FEW AROMATIC RED WINES MADE WITH MENCIA
(MEN-THI-YAH).

18. MEDITERRANEAN COAST
• THE COAST IS A VERY DIVERSE MACRO-REGION THAT CONTAINS THE SUB-REGIONS OF VALENCIA, CATALONIA
AND MURCIA.
• CATALONIA IS KNOWN FOR CAVA (SPANISH SPARKLING WINE) AND A HIGHLY ACCLAIMED RED WINE SUB-ZONE,
PRIORAT.
• VALENCIA AND MURCIA ARE WARMER GROWING REGIONS THAT PRODUCE A BULK OF VALUE WINES FROM DEEP
RED MONASTRELL TO AROMATIC WHITEMALVASIA AND THE WIDELY PLANTED AIRÉN.

19. EBRO RIVER VALLEY
• THE SUB REGIONS OF LA RIOJA AND NAVARRA ARE FOUND IN THE EBRO RIVER VALLEY.
• HERE, TEMPRANILLO IS KING AND LONG-STANDING BODEGAS SUCH AS LOPEZ DE HEREDIA AND MARQUES
DE MURRIETA MAKE AGE-WORTHY WINES.
• NAVARRA PRODUCES A LARGE VOLUME OFROSADO (ROSÉ) WINE OF GARNACHA.
• THE REGION ALSO PRODUCES OAK-AGED WHITE WINES OF VERDEJO AND VIURA(MACABEO).
• IN BASQUE COUNTRY, ZESTY WHITE WINES CALLED TXAKOLI (‘CHALK’OLLI ) ARE COMMON.

20. DUERO RIVER VALLEY
• THE DUERO RIVER IS THE SAME RIVER AS THE DOURO IN PORTUGAL.
• THIS REGION IS NOTABLE FOR THE RICH WHITE VERDEJO OF RUEDA AND THE RED WINES OF TORO,
RIBERA DEL DUERO AND LEON.
• THE WINE GRAPE OF TORO, CALLEDTINTA DE TORO, HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A MUTANT OF
TEMPRANILLO.
• RIBERA DEL DUERO IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS WINERIES IN SPAIN: VEGA SICILIA.

21. CENTRAL PLATEAU
• THE CENTRAL PLATEAU OR MESETA CENTRAL IS THE INNER PLATEAU OF SPAIN WHICH IS HOME TO THE
CAPITAL CITY, MADRID.
• THE AREA HAS AN AVERAGE ELEVATION OF 2,300-2,600 FEET AND IS DRY AND SUNNY. BECAUSE OF ITS
CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS, VINES ARE SPACED VERY FAR APART AND CLOSE TO THE GROUND.
• SOME OF THE BEST VALUE RED WINES MADE OF MONASTRELL, SYRAH,TEMPRANILLO AND GARNACHA
COME FROM THIS AREA.

22. ANDALUCÍA
• ANDALUCÍA IS A VERY HOT AND DRY REGION FAMOUS FOR SHERRY.
• STARK WHITE ALBARIZA SOIL MAKES PALOMINO VINEYARDS IN CÁDIZ LOOK LIKE A MOONSCAPE. THE
EVEN HOTTER, MONTILLA-MORILES PRODUCES FORTIFIED DESSERT WINES THAT ARE CALLED “PX“. AN
AGED PX, SUCH AS BODEGAS TORO ABALA, HAVE SIMILAR NUTTY-DATE FLAVORS LIKE TAWNY PORT.

23. THE ISLANDS (INCLUDES THE CANARY
ISLANDS)
• THE ISLANDS OF SPAIN OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF WINES FROMMENCIA-BASED REDS TO DESSERT WINES
MADE WITH MOSCATEL.
• THE VOLCANIC SOILS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS ADD A GRITTY TASTE OF RUSTIC MINERALITY. CURRENTLY,
THERE ARE VERY FEW EXPORTERS OF THE LIMITED WINES OF THE ISLANDSOF SPAIN.

26. SPANISH WINE - RED WINE
VALDEORRAS IS A SMALL AREA IN THE EAST OF GALICIA AND ITS FRESH-TASTING REDS - MADE FROM THE NATIVE MENCIA GRAPE - ARE
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
TORO PRODUCES EXTREMELY POWERFUL REDS -USING A MUTATION OF TEMPRANILLO.
CAMPO DE BORJA WINES - MADE FROM THE GARNACHA GRAPE - MUST ATTAIN A MINIMUM 13% ALCOHOL CONTENT, RESULTING IN
SOME STUNNINGLY ALCHOLIC REDS!
LA MANCHA - LOCATED IN ARID PLAINS STRETCHING FROM MADRID TO VALDEPEÑAS - PRODUCES CLASSY REDS FROM THE CENCIBEL
(TEMPRANILLO) GRAPE.
VALDEPEÑAS IS FAMED FOR TEMPRANILLO REDS THAT HAVE BEEN CASK-AGED AND LABELLED "RESERVA" OR "GRAN RESERVA". OAKEY
AND FULL-FLAVOURED.
RIOJA IS ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN AREAS FOR WINE. ITS RED WINE HAS A THICK, CREAMY TEXTURE AND FRUITY FLAVOUR. GRAPE
VARIETIES OF THIS REGION, PRODUCTION METHODS AND NAMES OF WINE ARE TOO MANY TO LIST, BUT A GOOD GUIDE TO QUALITY IS
THE LENGTH OF TIME MATURED.

27. SPANISH WINE - WHITE WINE
RÍAS BAJAS - IN THE REGION OF GALICIA -HAS A REPUTATION FOR FRAGRANT, FLORAL, DRY WHITE WINES
PRODUCED FROM THE GRAPE VARIETY ALBARINO.
RIBEIRO - MEANING "RIVERSIDE" - PRODUCES EXCELLENT WHITES WITH STRONG OVERTONES OF ORANGE
BLOSSOM.
RUEDA PRODUCES WHITE WINE ONLY - SOME OF SPAIN´S MOST AGREEABLE, LIGHT DRY WHITES.
LA MANCHA ALSO GROWS THE AIREN GRAPE, PRODUCING A REFRESHING, LEMONY WHITE WINE.
VALENCIA IS RENOWNED FOR ITS MOSCATEL DE VALENCIA - A SWEET WHITE WINE. THIS WINE DOESN´T
UNDERGO NORMAL FERMENTATION, BUT IS MADE BY ADDING GRAPE SPIRIT TO FRESHLY-PRESSED MUSCAT
JUICE

28. SPANISH WINE - ROSÉ WINE
NAVARRE - LOCATED ON THE RIVER EBOR - IS KNOW FOR ITS FRESH, FRUITY
ROSADA OR ROSÉ WINE.
CIGALES PRINCIPALLY MAKES DRY ROSADOS AND A LITTLE RED, USING THE
TWO MAIN GRAPES OF RIOJA.

29. SPANISH WINE - SPARKLING WINE
PENEDÈS - NEAR BARCELONA - IS THE CENTRE OF THE CAVA INDUSTRY AND BASE FOR THE
MIGHTY HOUSE OF TORRES. A PROLIFIC REGION, IT ALSO PRODUCES A WIDE VARIETY OF
GOOD QUALITY RED AND WHITE WINES.
ASTURIAS IS FAMED FOR ITS CIDER - BOTH SPARKLING AND FLAT - LOCALS POURING OUT
THEIR CIDER IN A VERY UNIQUE WAY.

30. READING THE WINE LABEL
THE LABEL WILL MENTION ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF WINES:
• TINTOS MEANING RED WINES
• BLANCOS OR VINOS BLANCOS MEANING WHITE WINES
• ROSADOS MEANING ROSE WINES
• CAVA MEANING SPARKLING WINES

31. LEVEL OF AGING
THE NEXT THING MENTIONED ON THE WINE LABEL IS THE LEVEL OF AGING. THEY ARE:
• JOVEN
• BARRICA OR ROBLE
• CRIANZA
• RESERVA
• GRAN RESERVA.

32. LEVELS OF AGING
• JOVEN
THIS MEAN “YOUNG” IN SPANISH.
JOVEN WINE USUALLY HAS LITTLE OR NO OAK TREATMENT IT
IS USUALLY FRUITY AND MEANT TO BE DRUNK WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF RELEASE.

33. LEVELS OF AGING
• BARRICA AND ROBLE
BARRICA MEANS “BARREL AND ROBLE SIMPLY MEANS “OAK”.
THESE TERMS INDICATE THAT A WINE HAS SEEN SOME OAK BARREL AGEING, BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE
WINE TO BE LABELED A “CRIANZA”.
USUALLY, THIS MEANS AROUND 4 MONTHS OF OAK AGEING. THESE WINES ARE MEANT TO BE DRUNK WITHIN
A FEW YEARS OF RELEASE.

34. LEVELS OF AGING
• CRIANZA –
• THE WINE HAS BEEN AGED IN OAK FOR A WHILE.
• A CRIANZA MUST BE AGED FOR A TOTAL OF 24 MONTHS, EITHER IN OAK OR IN BOTTLE BEFORE RELEASE.
• CRIANZA WINES ARE GENERALLY READY TO DRINK WHEN RELEASED AND CAN LAST FOR SAY 5 YEARS OR
SO.
• OFTEN THEY HAVE GOOD FRUIT CHARACTER WITH THE SMOOTHNESS OF OAKAGEING. A WINE MAKER
WILL SELECT BETTER GRAPES GENERALLY FOR ACRIANZA THAN FOR A BARRICA OR A JOVEN.

35. LEVELS OF AGING
• RESERVA –
• AN EASY ONE TO TRANSLATE, “RESERVE”.
• SELECTED, HELD BACK, AND AGED LONGER.RESERVAS ARE USUALLY THE HIGHEST QUALITY GRAPES THE
WINE MAKER HAS, AND THE WINE SEES LONG OAK AGEING.
• A MINIMUM OF 36 MONTHS OF AGEING BEFORE RELEASE IS REQUIRED
• RESERVAS ARE GENERALLY VERY SMOOTH, FULL, COMPLEX, AND CAPABLE OF LASTING UP TO 10 YEARS OR
SO.

36. LEVELS OF AGING
GRAN RESERVA –
• ONLY MADE DURING GOOD VINTAGES, THESE WINES ARE THE PINNACLES OFTHEIR GENRE.
• THEY ARE MADE FROM THE BEST SELECTED FRUIT A PRODUCER HAS, USUALLY IN SMALL QUANTITY.
• THEY MUST BE AGED FOR A TOTAL OF 60 MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BE RELEASED!
• THE BEST LAST FOR DECADES.

37. RED WINES

38. MARQUES DE RISCAL GRAN
RESERVA
THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST BODEGAS IN SPAIN TO USE THE BORDEAUX METHOD OF
WINEMAKING. THE RIOJA ESTATE IS NOW FAMOUS FOR ITS PINK AND SILVER CITY OF
WINE BUILDING DESIGNED BY FRANK O. GEHRY. THE GRAN RESERVA, MADE FROM
TEMPRANILLO, GRACIANO AND MAZUELO, IS MADE IN SMALLER QUANTITIES THAN
SOME OF THE BODEGA’S OTHER BOTTLINGS, BUT ISN’T TOO EXPENSIVE OR HARD TO
OBTAIN. IT HAS GREAT AGING POTENTIAL, IF THE 1945 MARQUES DE RISCAL IS ANY
EVIDENCE— IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST RED WINES EVER
PRODUCED IN SPAIN (BUT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND).

39. MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA CASTILLO
YGAY GRAN RESERVA ESPECIAL
ANOTHER RIOJA BODEGA FAMOUS FOR BRINGING THE BORDEAUX
METHOD TO SPAIN. THE WINE IS MADE FROM TEMPRANILLO AND
MAZUELO AND HAS A DISTINCT FAT, HIGH ALCOHOL AND HIGHLY
PIGMENTED CHARACTER. IT IS RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE. ANY SPANISH
WINE JUNKIE SHOULD GET A FIX FROM MURRIETA.

40. VALDEMAR INSPIRACIÓN
VALDEMAR MATURANA TINTA
THIS BODEGA HAS ALWAYS STOOD FOR INNOVATION—THE FIRST BARREL-
FERMENTED WHITE RIOJA, THE FIRST GARNACHA RESERVA AND THE FIRST
CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA IN RIOJA WERE ALL MADE HERE. ALONG
THESE LINES IS THE INSPIRACIÓN MADE FROM 100% MATURANA TINTA, A
NATIVE GRAPE THAT WAS NEARLY EXTINCT BEFORE RIOJAN
VITICULTURALIST JUAN CARLOS SANCHA MADE AN EFFORT TO REVIVE THE
VARIETY. FIRST MADE IN THE 2005 VINTAGE, IT’S A MUST-TRY FOR LOVERS
OF SPAIN’S UNIQUE GRAPES

41. TORRES MAS LA PLANA
ANYONE WHO KNOWS SPAIN KNOWS THE NAME TORRES. THIS IS ONE OF
THE LARGEST WINE PRODUCERS IN SPAIN (THEY MAKE MORE WINES THAN
ONE CAN KEEP STRAIGHT) AND A PROFILE OF THE TOP SPANISH WINES
WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TORRES BOTTLE. MIGUEL TORRES
INTRODUCED STAINLESS-STEEL FERMENTATION AND TEMPERATURE-
CONTROLLED FERMENTATION TO SPAIN IN THE 1960S. THIS IS ONE OF THEIR
HIGHER-END BOTTLES, MADE FROM CABERNET SAUVIGNON. THE TORRES
PERPETUAL FROM PRIORAT IS ANOTHER GOOD TORRES WINE TO TRY.

42. COMPAÑÍA DE VINOS TELMO
RODRÍGUEZ ALTOS DE LANZAGA
TELMO RODRÍGUEZ HAS BEEN CALLED “SPAIN’S MOST CELEBRATED ITINERANT
WINEMAKER.” HE TRAVELS THE COUNTRY IN SEARCH OF FORGOTTEN REGIONS AND
VINEYARDS IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE SPAIN’S TRADITION UNDER THE PRESSURE OF
COMMERCIAL WINES. HE MAKES COUNTLESS WINES IN REGIONS ALL OVER SPAIN.
THIS IS THE TOP TELMO RODRÍGUEZ WINE FROM RIOJA, MADE MAINLY FROM
TEMPRANILLO WITH A LITTLE GARNACHA AND GRACIANO, FIRST PRODUCED IN 1999.
ANOTHER OF TELMO’S WINES, GABA DO XIL, A RED WINE FROM THE MENCÍA GRAPE, IS
SO AWESOME THAT IT WAS FEATURED IN JAPANESE MANGA IN 2010!

43. WHITE WINES

44. BLANDY'S 1998 COLHEITA SINGLE
HARVEST VERDELHO (MADEIRA)
PRICE$50
MADE FROM ONE OF THE NOBLE GRAPES OF MADEIRA AND AGED IN WOOD,
THIS MEDIUM-DRY WINE IS RICH, CONCENTRATED AND DENSE, WITH JUST
HINTS OF FRUIT AND ITS ORIGINAL PERFUMED CHARACTER. A WONDERFUL
TANG SHOWS AT THE END AS FRESHNESS KICKS IN. LIKE ANY OLD WOOD-
AGED WINE, IT IS READY TO DRINK.
— R.V. (12/1/2014)

45. DOMAINE DES BAUMARD NV VERT
DE L’OR VERDELHO (VIN DE FRANCE)
A SMALL PARCEL OF VERDELHO, PLANTED ORIGINALLY IN THE 19TH
CENTURY AND NEVER OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED. THE WINE HAS A
BEAUTIFUL BOTRYTIS CHARACTER, MARKED BY PURE ACIDITY, BY
LEMON AND HONEY AND GREAT FINAL FRESHNESS. SCREWCAP.
— R.V. (6/1/2011)

46. BLANCO NIEVA 2011 PIE FRANCO
VERDEJO (RUEDA)
PRICE$28
THIS GETS GOING WITH APPLE, PEACH AND MINERAL AROMAS THAT ARE
PURE AND ALLURING. IT FEELS LIFTED BUT A LITTLE CREAMY, WITH
GREEN BANANA, LIME, ORANGE AND KIWI FLAVORS. SOLID AND LONG ON
THE FINISH; THIS IS EXEMPLARY UNOAKED VERDEJO.
— M.S. (11/1/2012)

47. RAFAEL PALACIOS 2005 AS SORTES
GODELLO (VALDEORRAS)
PRICE$35
PALACIOS STARTED HIS VALDEORRAS WINERY IN 2004, AND IN SHORT
ORDER HE HAS ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS A QUALITY LEADER. HIS AS
SORTES IS 100% GODELLO, FROM DRY-FARMED VINES WITH AGE. THIS WINE
IS RICH, WITH AMPLE OAK, FRESH AND DRY FRUIT FLAVORS, AND A WALNUT-
INFUSED FINISH. QUITE BURGUNDIAN IN STYLE.
— M.S. (9/1/2006)

48. BODEGAS VALDERROA 2004
PEDROUZOS 1.5L GODELLO
(VALDEORRAS)
PRICE$80
FROM EXTREMELY OLD GODELLO VINES, THIS BARREL-FERMENTED WINE
COMES ONLY IN MAGNUMS.IT’S CURRENTLY SHOWING A LOT OF OAK, BUT
IT’S ALSO EXTREMELY WELL STRUCTURED. IT HAS AN ACID BACKBONE THAT
NOBODY COULD CRACK. VERY SERIOUS, WITH INTENSE APPLE, PEAR AND
MINERALITY. MUCH LIKE A FINE BURGUNDY.
— M.S. (9/1/2006)

49. ROSE WINES

50. 2010 PROTOCOLO ROSE TIERRA DE
CASTILLA SPAIN 13%
DUSTY ON THE NOSE WITH DARK CHERRY FRUIT AND A NICE VINOUS ELEMENT. THIS
SMELLS A LITTLE BIT ON THE SWEET/FRUITY SIDE BUT BLIND, ONE MIGHT EASILY
THINK THIS IS A RED WINE. VERY LEAN ON ENTRY AND PRECISE WITH LOW, PURE
LIGHTLY MINERAL-LACED FLAVORS OF EARTHY WILD CHERRY/BLUEBERRY FRUIT. THIS
IS WELL PUT TOGETHER WITH A NICE FOUNDATION OF ACIDS AND SUPER FINE
TANNINS. THE FINISH SHOWS A NICE BURST OF MINERAL, HERB AND BLACK FRUIT
TONES THAT LINGER BEFORE ENDING ON AN ALMOSTY PEACHY TONE. A REALLY
COMPLETE AND FUN ROSÉ. 89PTS

51. 2000 LOPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA
ROSADO GRAN RESERVA 13.5%
NICELY AROMATIC ON THE NOSE, IF NOT FRUITY, WITH MINERAL EARTH NUANCES
SUPPORTING A COMPLEX ARRAY OF EVOLVED, NUTTY SHERRY AND HINTS OF MUSTINESS
THAT GROW AROUND THE CORE OF WILD RASPBERRY AND DRIED ORANGE PEEL TONES. ON
THE PALATE THIS IS TENSE AND CRISP WITH NUANCED ALMOND, BITTER ORANGE RIND AND
RASPBERRY NOTES THAT LEAD TO A LONG, LAYERED FINISH THAT REVEALS MINERAL, RED
FRUIT AND AROMATIC WOOD NOTES. NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROSÉ, AND AFTER AGING FOR OVER
FOUR YEARS IN BARREL AND SIX YEARS IN BOTTLE, HOW COULD IT BE? NONETHELESS, THIS
IS A BRILLIANT WINE, MORE AKIN TO A GREAT AGED WHITE WINE THAN A ROSÉ. IT’S SUBTLE
AND COMPLEX, PERFECT FOR RICH FISH DISHES AND CHEESE. 92PTS

52. 2010 VIVANCO TEMPRANILLO-
GRENACHE RIOJA 13.5%
VERY FRUITY ON THE NOSE WITH A SWEET UNDERTONE TO THE
RASPBERRY/STRAWBERRY FRUIT. A TOUCH OF RS UP FRONT IS PAIRED
WITH RATHER ASSERTIVE FRUIT AND AN OPULENT MOUTHFEEL. THIS IS A
LOVELY SIPPING ROSÉ, PERHAPS A TOUCH SWEET AND FRUITY, BUT IT
FINISHES DRY AND WITH GOOD CLEANSING ACIDS. IT’S A BIT SIMPLE IN
FLAVOR PROFILE, A TOUCH OF MEAT AND LEATHER ACCENTING THE
RASPBERRY FRUIT, BUT IT’S A NICE, BOLDER ROSÉ. 88PTS
FIND OUT MORE

53. 2010 VEGA SINDOA GARNACHA ROSADO
NAVARRA 13%
LIGHTLY AROMATIC WITH A HINT OF PEAR, SOME STONY NOTES AND AN OVERLAY OF LIGHTLY
MINTY, LIGHTLY HERBAL ASTRINGENT RED BERRY FRUIT. BRIGHT AND CRISP ON ENTRY WITH
AN IMMEDIATE RUSH OF RED CHERRY, RASPBERRY FRUIT THAT’S FRAMED WITH A GENTLE
SPICE NOTES AND SOME INTERESTING AROMATIC TOP NOTES. THE MID-PALATE HERE TURNS
A LITTLE CREAMY AND RICH, AND WHILE LESS INTERESTING TO ME, SHOULD PROVE TO BE
WILDLY POPULAR. THIS FINISHES WITH THE ACID REASSERTING ITSELF AND GOOD LENGTH
TO THE STONY RED FRUITS. NICELY DONE. 88PTS

54. 2010 MARQUES DE RISCAL ROSE 13%
EARTHY AND FUNKY RIGHT OUT OF THE BOTTLE WITH COMPLEX, SLIGHTLY SWEET
NUTTY, OLD WOOD, AND DRIED SPICE TONES OVER SLIGHTLY MEDICINAL BLACK
RASPBERRY FRUIT WITH A GENTLE VANILLA TOP NOTE. THIS IS LOVELY IN THE MOUTH,
BRIGHT ACIDS SUPPORT TRANSPARENT, CLEAR BLACK AND RED FRUIT TONES WITH
FLORAL, WAXY AND GENTLY SPICY ACCENT NOTES FLOATING AROUND THE MOUTH. THE
WINE FINISHES WITH IMPRESSIVE WEIGHT, LENGTH AND GOOD CLARITY TO THE
BLACK RASPBERRY FRUIT, WITH MEDICINAL AND DRIED SPICE TONES. THIS IS
ELEGANT AND FINE AND ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR FROM A ROSÉ. 90PTS
FIND OUT MORE

55. SPANISH WINE WITH FOOD - SHERRY
• SPANISH WINES PAIR VERY WELL WITHSPANISH TRADITIONAL DISHES
• SHERRY AND ITS NEARBY COUSIN, MONTILLA, ARE EXCELLENT MATCHES FOR ANYTHING FROM JAPANESE
(ESPECIALLY SUSHI AND TEMPURA) AND OTHER ASIAN CUISINES, TO FRIED FOODS, TO A BROAD RANGE
OF ARTISAN CHEESES
• SWEET SHERRIES MATCHED TO BLUE CHEESES ARE SPECTACULAR
• AMONG DRY SHERRIES MANZANILLA IS A GREAT MATCH FOR SHRIMP, OYSTERS, SCALLOPS, CLAMS, AND
OTHER SHELLFISH

57. SPANISH WINE WITH FOOD - CAVA
• IT CAN BE USED AS AN IDEAL, INEXPENSIVE BY-THE-GLASS APERITIF
• ITS PALATE-REFRESHING QUALITIES ALSO MAKE IT IDEAL WITH SPANISH TAPAS; WITH ALL KINDS OF
SEAFOOD--ESPECIALLY MOLLUSKS AND CRUSTACEANS; AND WITH AMERICAN-STYLE APPETIZERS.
• CAVA CAN SERVE AS A COLD, REFRESHING COUNTERPOINT TO THE HEAT, AND IT IS DELICIOUS WITH A
BROAD RANGE OF ASIAN CUISINES (SUSHI, CHINESE FOOD, EVEN SPICY THAI DISHES).

59. SPANISH WHITE WINES WITH FOOD
• IT SUITS COOKING STYLES THAT RANGE FROM THE SIMPLEST GRILLED SHELLFISH AND OTHER SEAFOOD
OF NORTHERN SPAIN TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN COOKING TO ASIAN CUISINE, INDEED ANY FOOD
THAT CALLS FOR A CRISP, FRUITY, OFTEN MINERALLY WHITE WINE.
• SPANISH WHITE WINES MARRY WELL WITH TRADITIONAL LOCAL DISHES SUCH AS ARRÒS NEGRE (BLACK
RICE FLAVORED WITH SQUID INK), CATALAN MAR YMUNTANYA (SURF AND TURF) DISHES SUCH THOSE
USING SEAFOOD AND GOOSE ANDSUQUETS (FISHERMAN-INSPIRED SEAFOOD STEWS).

61. SPANISH ROSE WINES WITH FOOD
• MOST ARE EXCELLENT COMPANIONS TO A BROAD RANGE OF DISHES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD–
SEAFOOD,PORK, ASIAN CUISINES, AMERICAN BARBECUE, MEXICAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN CUISINES
AND OF COURSE, WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF SPANISH DISHES FROMPATATAS A LA RIOJANA (POTATOES
WITH CHORIZO) TO SEAFOOD AND OTHER PAELLAS.

63. SPANISH RED WINES WITH FOOD
• THEY DO WELL WITH PIZZA, STEAKS, AND CHEESES, AND ALSO WORK WELL WITH MEXICAN AND
SOUTHWESTERN AMERICAN CUISINE.
• SOME SPANISH RED DESSERT WINES GOVERY WELL WITH EGG-BASED, NUT-BASED AND CHOCOLATE
DESSERTS.