A lesser known Spanish wine:

South-Eastern Spain, south of Valencia, is a region of various D.O.s which is home of Monastrell grape, aka Mourvedre in French. Arrid and hot, the grapes are often grown in bunches and are starting to be planted “pie franco” or on natural root-stock instead of grafted onto American root-stock.

I get excited about these wines, often monovarietal, either unoaked or barrel-aged, because they are of a different flavor profile from the ubiquitous Tempranillo and Grenache Spanish wines that cover most of the country.

I have had dusty, musty monastrells, full of barnyard. I have also had monastrells young, rich, deep fruity with clean plum notes.
If you haven’t tried this from Spain, it is one wine, where the flavor profile is really not remiscent of others from other countries. Try it!

Rioja! - Rioja seemed to go through a phase where it was ALL Spain had to offer; then it was forgotten, as Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Navarra, etc.
came on the scene. Our Classico is back, Rioja is it! Rioja is all-Spain, you must not miss this suave wine region over-delivering in value.

Rueda - My personal favorite, so I am going to plug this. Like Sauvignon Blanc and dry Riesling? Give Rueda a try. Dry, almost bitter end,
wonder dry whites of pure

Spain has had a unique position in the wine world, mainly being a “sleeping giant”, one who has had a vast and rich fabric of grape varieties, cultivated land, history, and unique style, all the while embracing modernity at an impressive clip. Spain is the cross-roads of many wine debates over what is “new world” or “modern” and what is “old world” and “classical”. Spain seems to meld these and make it more difficult for our modern wine press and wine critiques to put these terms into relevant use; however they do so deftly.
What we find in Spanish Wine might best be described in the words of masterful wine entrepreneur Sr. Eguren of Spain as “nuevos classicos”, or “new classics” or even “new classicists” in wine.
The wines may be cleaner and more fruit-forward than older, traditional styles; yet they are almost most certainly better made wines of value and ageing potential, while nodding to the past.
This dichotomy of past and present, or traditional and modern, puts Spain at a unique crossroads with a broad and very interesting offering, from whites to reds, roses, and sparkling or cavas, lest we forget the deep and unique category of “generosos” or Sherry wines from Spain.
It is truly an exciting time for the wine world and for Spain, as this penisula makes an indellible mark on this time in wine making with its unique old-world-meets-modernity style.
I embrace it, and I envite you to as well.
Cheers!
Gavin

#34 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero Crianza 2005, 93pts, $34
#52 Bodegas LAN Rioja Reserva 2004, 90pts, $17
#65 Bodegas Muga Rioja Reserva 2004, 91pts, $30
#71 Bodegas Sierra Cantabria Rioja Crianza 2004, 90pts, $20

Also worth noting:
Portugal
#3 Quinta do Crasto Douro Reserva Old Vines 2005, 95, $40

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