From Albariño to Zephyros, a wine guide to Spain
A few weeks ago, whilst trying to decide what to open for our Thirsty Thursday tasting, we noticed that our current Spanish portfolio was looking particularly interesting. Everything we opened was showing well, and there was no clear favourite, which I think is testament to the stylistic variety Spain has to offer. There is a huge diversity of terroir across the country, from the cool, wet north-west, to the dry, mountainous north-east, and from the Mediterranean climate on the east coast to the inland enclaves of semi-desert. We've put together a mixed case to help you to get to grips with the vast range of Spanish wine. This assortment includes some renowned, ancient estates which are all about traditionalism, alongside some modern, boutique producers who are producing very pure, elegant wines. /DS
£315 for the 12-bottle case: you save £39.95, delivery is free.
12-bottle case includes one bottle of each of these wines:
WHITE
2020 Palacio de Fefiñanes 1583 Albariño: Fefiñanes are the oldest Albariño producer there is - their 1583 bottling is a nod to an illustrious ancestor. The 1583 is given a longer elevage than most Albariño - it is fermented in French oak then aged on the lees. Ripe citrus and stonefruit aromas in a delicious white with grip and texture.
2020 Belondrade y Lurtón Rueda: Belondrade y Lurtón is the result of the inspired marriage of a Burgundian white winemaking approach with Rueda's native Verdejo variety. A remarkably gastronomic white with texture and complexity.
2019 Xosé Lois Sebio Mais Ala Godello: Godello is Galicia's signature white grape variety - this is a superb expression made from high altitude, 30-year-old vines. Finely-textured and very moreish, with notes of fresh citrus and baked apple.
2014 López de Heredia Viña Gravonia Blanco: Rioja traditionalists López de Heredia give their Gravonia white long ageing in colossal oak barrels, till it takes on a nutty, waxy character.
ORANGE
2019 Daniel Ramos Zerberos Viento Zephyros: You may think you don't like orange wines, but give this a chance - the honeyed, spicy bouquet is exquisite. Intense, dry, grippy, and compelling. Made from the Castilian Albillo Real variety.
ROSÉ
2021 Belondrade Quinta Clarisa Rosado: Gastronomically, this works as a rosé, but Jean Belondrade prefers to think of it as a very light red. It is made from Tempranillo and Syrah vines, and the sandy soils these are planted in are responsible for the very fine tannins. Notes of strawberry and white pepper.
RED
2019 Vins del Comtat Monastrell El Salze: Monastrell is better known as Mourvèdre, but its origins very much lie in Spain. The vines in the El Salze vineyard in the hills above Alicante are a hundred years old. With ripe berry notes and some spice from barrel ageing, this full-fruited, very pretty wine marries fine tannins with brisk acidity. Very moreish!
2019 Daniel Ramos Zerberos Santón: Australian-born Daniel Ramos produces beautifully pure wines, high up in the Gredos Mountains to the west of Madrid. For his Santón, he has seized on an old parcel of local Rufete wines near Salamanca. The rose petal and raspberry aromas here are piercingly pretty.
2019 NerinTerra: compelling, intense Priorat, made from old vine Garnacha and Cariñena. Generous and velvety, full of sweet fruit and spice.
2017 Pujanza Finca Valdepoleo: Carlos San Pedro refers to himself as a modern traditionalist. His elegant Riojas are all about terroir and the vineyard, in a region that has tended to prioritise blending and ageing. Valdepoleo is a single vineyard bottling, dark-fruited and finely-textured.
2017 Tentenublo Escondite Ardacho Guillermas: old vineyard, single-site Rioja from an uber-niche producer. 65% Tempranillo, but with 35% Viura (a white grape) blended in for aromatics and finesse, and minimal oak influence, this is not what most people expect from Rioja. Only 971 bottles produced!
2001 Manzanos Voche Vino de Autor: a library release from the fantastic 2001 Rioja vintage. Fully mature and drinking beautifully. Cherry and raspberry notes define a mellowing core of fruit and there is an attractive note of grilled hazelnut on the finish.
Offered subject to remaining unsold
