2021 central spain photo alonso del yerro 3.jpg copy

The Vast Bounty of Central Spain

featured, Spain

Josh Raynolds, Feb 2021

While serious wine fanatics are well acquainted with Ribera del Duero, Toro and Rueda, much of the world consumes millions of gallons of wine a year made in the less lofty nearby regions, especially La Mancha and the far-reaching Castilla y León, both of which often deliver excellent value. Then there are unsung DOs like Campo de Borja, where readers will find some of the biggest bang-for-the-buck Grenache in the world.

Burgundy line up 1959

The Year of Jazz & Wine: 1959

Germany, France, Verticals & Retrospectives, featured, Spain

Neal Martin, Nov 2020

Two extraordinary 1959-themed dinners at the end of last year presented a mouthwatering opportunity to examine this legendary vintage. This article looks at those wines and some of the stories that lie behind them.

1899 blanco

Cellar Favorite: 1899 Marqués de Murrieta Rioja Blanco

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Spain

Neal Martin, Aug 2020

This half-bottle of 1899 Rioja Blanco from Marqués de Murrieta concluded a memorable supper at Oswald’s private club in London just after the New Year, when a friend was visiting from East Asia.

Mas del serral 2009

Cellar Favorite: 2009 Pepe Raventós Mas del Serral

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Spain

Neal Martin, Mar 2020

I met winemaker Pepe Raventós at a dinner for artisan Spanish winemakers at Noble Rot that preceded the Viñateros tasting this past February. We never met during my short tenure as reviewer, however it was his wines alongside those of Gramona, that blew apart my preconceptions of what Cava can achieve.

Cf 02182020

Cellar Favorite: 1959 Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Rioja

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Spain

Antonio Galloni, Feb 2020

Rioja has always held a special place in my heart. I discovered pretty early on that l liked reds with bottle age, but I could hardly afford any of the heavy hitters of that time. Any time I needed a wine with a bit of age for a special occasion, it was always Rioja.

Casa camara turbot

Vinous Table: Casa Cámara, San Juan de Pasajes, Spain

Vinous Table, Spain

Neal Martin, Nov 2019

This is an institution that goes about its business in discreet fashion, doing what it has done for decades: serving delicious seafood and providing a memorable evening out.

Marques de riscal 1952 1964

Cellar Favorite: Marqués de Riscal Gran Reserva 1952-2015

cellar favorite, Cellar Favorites, Spain

Neal Martin, Oct 2019

It was a pleasure to take a break during a period of alternating between Bordeaux and Burgundy and attend a tasting of one of my favorite Rioja producers: Marqués de Riscal.

The cartoixa de escaladei in priorat was a working monastery  with vineyards  from the 1100s until it was ransacked by the local peasantry in 1835. copy

Mediterranean Spain: Diversity and Consistency

featured, Spain

Josh Raynolds, Apr 2019

From northeastern Catalonia to the country’s southeast corner and all the way west to Andalusia, Spain’s Mediterranean Ocean–influenced winegrowing regions have been experiencing a run of almost uniformly very good to epic vintages.

Terraced vineyards in valdeorras  overlooking the river sil. today  this relatively obscure zone is emerging as one of spain's most exciting growing regions copy

Spain’s Northern Regions Keep It Cool

featured, Spain

Josh Raynolds, Mar 2019

Spain’s northern, Atlantic Ocean–influenced winegrowing zones were virtually unknown to most wine lovers only a decade ago, but things have changed dramatically. The popularity of some of Spain’s high-quality red wines and racy whites from the area continues a steep upward trajectory.

Rioja's beneficial microclimate owes a great deal to the sierra cantabria mountain range  which shelters the vineyards from rain and cold winds that pour down from the atlantic ocean copy

Rioja Looks Back and Ahead

featured, Spain

Josh Raynolds, Feb 2019

Traditionally made Riojas are having a moment. Old-school, elegant Riojas have caught the attention of collectors and sommeliers around the world, putting pressure on the supply of some of the region’s most famous wines. At the same time, a number of modern-leaning producers have begun to throttle back on assertive oak, extraction and alcohol levels, which is a highly welcome development. The recent 2016, 2015 and 2014 vintages have been very good to outstanding, with healthy yields that ensure there’s plenty of wine to go around.