Category Archives: Spain

Muga, Reserva, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 14% abv, C$26

This bottle of Muga Reserva 2010 travelled all the way around the world from Rioja Alta to a patio off the far west coast of Canada in Ucluelet, BC. One day, I will visit Rioja DOC and the Bodegas Muga … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Going to Priorat DOQ, Spain? Trust me, you need ‘Vinologue Priorat.’

Vinologue Priorat By Miquel Hudin and Èlia Varela Serra Leavenworth Press, c 2014 When I plan a trip to a wine region, I look for the unusual, the unique, the outlier – whether they be grapes, terroir, winemakers or the regions … Continue reading

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Nelin, Clos Mogador, Gratallops, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2012, 15% abv, 30€

I made the arrangement for a tour and tasting at world renowned Clos Mogador several months prior to our January 2015 arrival in tiny Gratallops, population a mere 260. As we walked through the gate, I wondered aloud, “Do you … Continue reading

Posted in Escanyavelles, Macabeu, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE, White Grenache / Garnacha / Garnaxa | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

La Guita, Manzanilla, Hijos de Rainera Pérez Marín Bodega, Sanlúcar de Barrameda DO, Spain, 15% abv, C$23

This Sherry comes with a little string draped across the neck of the bottle – apparently signifying a guitar string and hence the name, La Guita. It’s aged under a thick layer of flor (or yeast) near the coast at the … Continue reading

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Lopez de Haro, Tempranillo, Crianza, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2010, 13.5% abv.

Meh.  I expected more from this wine. A 90% Tempranillo with 7% Garnacha and the remainder Graciano for perfume and colour, this is a Crianza version from a hillside at the village of San Vicente de La Sonsierra in Rioja, Spain. … Continue reading

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Red, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Albariño, Eidos de Padriñán, Rias Baixas DO, Spain, 2013, 12.5% abv, US$19.

This wine is made in tiny Padriñán on the cool, wet north western Atlantic coast of Spain.  Hanging off the edge of Spain, Padriñán is south of Santiago de Compostela and not so far across the border with Portugal from Porto. Made … Continue reading

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Bodegas Valgrande, Rincón de Navas, Riserva, Rioja Alta, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1995, 12% abv.

This Rioja classic is connected to the Valduero family who also own bodegas in Ribero del Duero and Toro. The cork was perfect – a happy surprise to find on a 20 year old wine.  The Rincón has a translucent shade of ruby red … Continue reading

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Viña Tondonia, Reserva, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 1998, 12.5% abv.

Just about any bottle of López de Heredia is enough to make most wine geeks swoon.  But, when we put five in a room armed with glasses and this bottle of Viña Tondonia Reserva, 1998, the atmosphere quickly became ‘fan girly’. We … Continue reading

Posted in Macabeu/Viura, Malvasia, OTHER, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Clos Monlleó, Sangenís i Vaqué, Porrera, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 1999, 15% abv

During our visit to Celler Sangenís i Vaqué in January 2015, Maria hosted solo but brought out all the stops for an exceptional tasting.  Of the ten poured, four were a vertical of the Clos Monlleó from 2013, 2011, 2005 and 1999. Monlleó is the surname … Continue reading

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Mas Doix, 1902 Centenary Carignan, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 14.% abv,

It’s hard not to notice – there seems to be a higher-than-average number of female winemakers in Priorat, Spain.  I mean, a four day tour of the region is hardly enough to prove anything statistically, but of the seven wineries we … Continue reading

Posted in Carignan, OTHER, RED, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment