For those of you not familiar with Spanish wines, they can be some of the best values available. I had a big red from Rioja over the weekend and it was incredible. The 1999 Finca Allende Calvario was from a single vineyard planted in 1945. Think about what was happening then-the end of WWII and the beginning of the US as a superpower battling the Soviet Union for the hearts and minds of the West.
The wine was smoky, leathery, intense, spicy and tannic. While it was made in the “international” style rather than the traditional Riojan method it was memorable.
Riojan wines are some of Spain’s best products but many other areas of Spain are producing great values. More about those regions soon.