The Depth and Diversity of Spanish Wine

Rioja is the region that put Spain’s winemaking on the international map. Back in the 19th century, when Phylloxera knocked out many of France’s vineyards, Bordeaux drinkers looked south to the unaffected region of Rioja. There they found a vibrant, centuries-old winemaking tradition that enchanted even the hardest-to-please palates.

A century-plus later and we often still think of the silky bold Tempranillos of Rioja when we talk about Spanish wine. But in this week’s newsletter, our Iberian Buyer Kirk Walker wants to encourage you to consider the “B-sides” to Spain’s greatest hits; let’s talk focused, high-acid Alvarinho from neighboring Portugal; let’s talk Monastrell that thrives in the chalky soils of Spain’s southeastern Murcia region; and let’s talk texturally-aromatic beauties made from Garnacha Blanca in Catalonia. There’s such a wealth of wonderful wines from the Iberian Peninsula that we have a feeling you’ll be playing many of these on repeat.