Spanish wines

[wondersofwine]

Rioja red wines are based on the Tempranillo grape. I like the products of Baroja and Muga. Muga at least makes several styles of wine and I prefer the more traditional style that does not use a lot of new oak barrels. You might ask a knowledgeable wine retailer if you could have a taste of a "new world style" Rioja and a more traditional one to see which you prefer. I've enjoyed a rose' or blush wine from Alarba recently. Others on the board are more familiar with the wines made from Grenache (the grape is called Garnacha in Spain) and Mourvedre (called Monastrell in Spain). I believe these wines are more common in southern Spain. They can suggest some names there or look at the Spanish wines thread for suggestions. You may also want to explore sherries (centered around the village of Jerez). White wine grapes include the Albarino are often very refreshing. The following is from the website www.winepros.org

Albariño
Albariño is the primary grape used to make dry white wine in the Rias Baixes (Lower Inlets) section of the Galicia region of Northwestern Spain. Considered by many to be Spain's premier quality white wine, Albariño is also known in Portugal as Alvarinho and often used as a component of Vinho Verde.

Weather conditions in the Rias Baixes are generally cool, windy and rainy. Vines must be trained high and open to allow winds to dry them out and avoid the ongoing threat of rot, mildew and other fungal diseases. Notably, Albariño grapes develop thick skins here, contributing to their intense aromas.

Typically, wines made from Albariño are very aromatic, often described as having scents of almonds or almond paste, apples, peaches, citrus, and flowers or grass. Albariño wines are particularly suited to seafood due to their bracing acidity (Jancis Robinson calls it "razor-sharp."). This grape's inherent tartness should be embraced in youth, for wines made from albariño do not age well, and the vibrant aromas begin to noticeably fade within months of bottling.



[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 11-13-2006).]