A Taste of Bodegas El Coto Rioja

These easy drinking wines offer terrific quality for the price, and would be welcome at in my glass and at my table anytime! The Rioja region in Spain was my initial foray beyond the realm of local California wines, and it remains a cherished favorite. I’ve consistently admired the remarkable quality-to-price ratio that Rioja wines…

A Taste of Ribera del Duero’s Monteabellón

This week, I’ve been sampling some Spanish wines. In this case two from Monteabellón in the Ribera del Duero region. While I’m familiar with the region by reputation, I’m excited to learn more about it and delve into the unique characteristics of these wines. Join me on this journey of discovery. Disclosure: Wines were provided as…

A Taste of Herminia

As a wine enthusiast, I embarked on my journey into the world of wine many years ago. Surprisingly, I found myself drawn to the wines of Spain over France, with the wines of Rioja being my particular favorite. Not only did they offer a higher quality-to-price ratio, but they were also more accessible and reasonably…

Wine of the Week: 2016 La Rioja Alta Rioja Viña Ardanza Reserva

More often than not, my WOTW is a wine that I’m crushing on because of its combination of structure, deliciousness and food friendliness. Sometimes, I chose a WOTW based on the aforementioned factors, and because the wine evokes memorable experience the for one reason or another. That’s the case with the 2016 La Rioja Alta…

Tasting A Rare Grape Variety: The 2018 Bodegas Gratias Tardana Sol #WorldWineTravel

This month the intrepid #WorldWineTravel group of bloggers concludes its 2021 virtual tour of Spain with a visit to the Castilla-La Mancha wine region in central Spain. Deanna of Wineivore is hosting this month. You may read her invitation post here. Castilla-La Mancha At-A-Glance Climate: According to a local proverb – “nine months of winter and…

Wines of Andalucia Preview #WorldWineTravel

This month, the World Wine Travel (#WorldWineTravel) group of writers continues its virtual tour of Spain with a with a visit to Andalusia in southern Spain. For more information about Andalusia see my invitation post here. Andalusia Wine Spanish viticulture originated in what is now known as Andalusia around 1100 BC when Phoenicians founded a trading post…

Absence Makes The Palate Grow Fonder – Getting Reacquainted with Cava

I have a confession to make. It’s been years since I’ve had Cava. That’s not to say that it’s been years since I’ve had Spanish sparkling wines. I have, but they haven’t been from the Cava D.O. They’ve been from Cava’s Spanish market share competitors, Conca del Riu Anoia , Clàssic Penedès, and most recently Corpinnat….

Bodegas Zarate; Setting the Standard for Rias Baixas Albarino – Then and Now #WorldWineTravel

As remarkable as the high quality and originality of Eulogio’s wines are, the most extraordinary aspect to his approach is his use of natural viticulture… Importer, Rare Wine Co This month the intrepid #WorldWineTravel group of bloggers continues its 2021 virtual exploration of Spain with a visit to Galicia. Located in North-West Spain on the…

Reconsidering Rioja Blanco with the 2008 R. López de Heredia Rioja Blanco Reserva Viña Tondonia #WorldWineTravel

The #WorldWineTravel group is kicking off 2021 by virtually exploring wine regions around the world, one country or region at a time. Our focus in 2021 will be Spain, and we start in Rioja, the country’s fine wine capital. About Rioja The storied history of the area known as La Rioja dates back 3,000 when…

Wine of the Day; 2014 Dominio del Aguila Pícaro Clarete

Don’t call it rosé. It’s pink, but it’s clarete…This is an alluring and memorable wine, I won’t forget anytime soon! Don’t call it rosé. It’s pink, but it’s clarete.  Many years ago this was a common product of Ribera del Duero, not classically a rosé but certainly pink in color, made by the direct pressing…