Posts tagged rioja
Holiday Buying Guide: Kirk's Spain and Chile Picks

Kirk Walker is our Spain, Portugal, and South America Buyer—if it has a Latin flair, Kirk likely brought it to our shelves. He loves research, and he’s a great person to talk to if you want to know how, for instance, the Andes’ rain shadow affects the vines in Chile. He’s also a good person to talk to in order to understand what’s going on with sparkling wine in Spain, the new wave of dry wines in Portugal, and for all your Rioja needs (I think it’s safe to say we all have Rioja needs). If you want to talk about the context of a wine region while drinking great wine, Kirk’s your man!

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Old Favorites and New Discoveries from Spain and Portugal

K&L Spain/Portugal Buyer Kirk Walker checks in on some of our longtime favorite wine producers and introduces us to a new-to-our-shelves importer who’s shaking things up in the European import world.

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The Place Is the Thing with Mary Taylor Wines 

Mary Taylor is an innovative producer/importer who’s taking a fresh approach to the wine business. Not unlike the wines that Kermit Lynch imports, Mary Taylor’s wines are small-production and regional; the big difference, however, is that the brand on the label is the importer, not the producer. If you are seeking well made, regionally specific wines, fear not—these are the wines you’re looking for! Once you have tried a bottle with the name Mary Taylor on it, you’re sure to try another.

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Fan-Favorite, Best-Value Rioja Señor de Lesmos Back in Stock

Señor de Lesmos is back! It has not been gone for long, but it sure feels that way. It is like waiting for your favorite fruit to come back in season. There is no such thing as Rioja season, but it always feels like an occasion when these wines hit the shelf again. 

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A Master Class in Rioja from Miguel Merino

If there were one winery in all of Rioja that I would point to that would express what is happening in Rioja right now—old school meets new school; age-driven meets terroir-driven style—that would be Bodega Miguel Merino.

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Spanish Newsletter: Rediscover This Dynamic Wine Region

Indigenous grapes, old-vine vineyards, organic farming, fresh new talent, and diverse terroir: this is the new Spain. If you haven’t revisited the Spanish wine aisle in awhile, you’ll be amazed at all the fresh energy pouring out of the country in vinous form. Let Spain Wine Buyer Kirk Walker take you on a tour of his favorite spots and producers in today’s newsletter.

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Collectible Gems from Spain and Portugal

Today's Newsletter takes us to two of the world's most traditional yet dynamic wine countries—Spain and Portugal. K&L buyer Kirk Walker brings his trademark indefatigable enthusiasm for these inimitable wines and producers in this highlight tutorial of his favorite current releases.

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The Depth and Diversity of Spanish Wine

In this week’s newsletter, our Iberian Buyer Kirk Walker wants to encourage you to consider the “B-sides” to Spanish greatest hit wines; 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.

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Pour Me a Rioja for International Tempranillo Day

Happy International Tempranillo Day! What a wonderful grape to celebrate. Today, we’re toasting Spain’s most famous grape with some wines that just landed from Bodegas Casa Juan Señor de Lesmos. They have long been one of our favorite Rioja producers, and with good reason: this family-run winery makes classic, expressive wines at a price you absolutely can’t beat. If you’re looking for balance and character and value, you’re going to love this bodega.

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