Apr
13
Wines to give you a real taste of Spain
Filed Under EN
STEEPED in history and blessed with a microclimate, Spain has been growing grapes since day dot and boasts the biggest vineyard in the world.
For a taste of Spanish sunshine to chime with seafood tapas, try Viña Ludy Albariño 2010, Rias Baixas (£7.48, Asda). Albariño is Galicia’s trendy grape and this good entry-level white displays classic aromatic hallmarks.
As one of northern Spain’s leading white wine regions, Rueda is the Spanish answer to sauvignon blanc and worth flirting with now that summer’s here. Palacio de Menade Rueda 2011 (£8.99, www. laithwaites.co.uk), made from the verdejo grape, is zingy and fresh with honeyed peach aromas.
Moving on to reds, you can’t go wrong with Marqués del Norte Rioja 2010 (£4.28, Asda), winner of Decanter 2011 Regional Trophy Best Rioja under £10. A medium-bodied, inky black with plenty of damson fruits, soft tannins and a cigar element, this wine punches above its weight.
Dense, oaky reds such as Barón de Barbón oak-aged Rioja 2010 (£7.99, www.laithwaites.co.uk) have complex savoury fruit flavours thanks to time spent in American and French barrels and the Barón certainly packs a punch.
And, with modern aromas of wild strawberries and raspberry, you can almost nose inside the barrel of Tesco’s tempranillo temptress, Finest Viña Mara Rioja Reserva 2007 (£9.49, Tesco).
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