My loyalty lies with American winemakers but I still have a deep affection for the wines of Spain. After our last trip to Spain I wrote about the first and foremost wine known by most when we think of Spain – sherry. But during our recent trip I looked around at what the people of Spain were drinking. Just as we have our favorite standbys of chardonnay and merlot, Spanish wine drinkers have their safe bets too.
ALBARINO
The albarino varietal is one of Spain’s best-kept wine secrets. You could compare it to the viognier in some ways but lighter, with more acidity. The light and refreshing wine is an ideal match for Spain’s local-catch seafood dishes. The grapes are grown and the wine produced in the northwest corner of Spain in the Rias Baixas region. Most of Spain’s growing regions can best be described as hot, hotter and downright unbearable. This region is cooler and has an abundance of rainfall, giving this wine its delicate, lively aromatic characteristics.
THE VALUE
- 2012 Ramon Bilbao Albarino, Spain (about $15 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2011 La Cana Albarino, Spain (about $20 retail)
VERDEJO
Verdejo (ver-DAY-ho) is Spain’s answer to sauvignon blanc. In the Andalusia region it was on every restaurant wine list, in every wine shop and even in the supermarkets. In most restaurants it’s the varietal used as the house wine, with a listing of “Vino blanco.” The grape is indigenous to the Rueda region in northeastern Spain along the Douro River. The style can be crisp and grassy, similar to sauvignon blanc,or richer, much like a California unoaked chardonnay. It is a style of wine easily paired with a wide range of foods.
THE VALUE
- 2011 Tapena Verdejo, Spain (about $11 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- 2011 Nisia Old Vine Verdejo, Spain (about $16 retail)
CAVA
When in Spain, there is no other ideal bubbly than Spanish Cava. It generally has more acidity than other sparkling wines and therefore it pairs with many cuisines. We had it as an aperitif, with seafood, paella and even pasta. It’s produced in the Penedes region of Catalonia using the same winemaking method as the honored Champagne, but with indigenous grapes. The result is a refreshing, sparkling wine at half the price of most Champagne.
THE VALUE
- NV Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, Spain (about $12 retail)
THE SPLURGE
- NV Sumarroca Cava Brut, Spain (about $19 retail)