Category Archives: Spain

Ardales Airen, Vino de la Tierra de Castilla, Spain, 2009, 12.5% abv

Nothing goes better with a Super Bowl game than…. evidently a white Spanish wine made from Airen grapes. Yeh… So, here we have a wine that’s termed ‘Vino de la Tierra’ (VdlT) referring to wine from certain and specific regions … Continue reading →

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Placet Valtomelloso, Palacios Remondo Bodega, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2008, 13.5%

I bought this wine forever ago at Legacy – probably when I was studying Spanish wines for WSET Level 3 exams. Good thing I passed as I obviously forgot to drink the wine! Fast forward to today and some barbecued … Continue reading →

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Freixenet, Cordon Negro, Cava, Método Tradicional, Spain, 12% abv, C$15

It’s Mother’s Day and I’m happy to sit down after a day at the winery to dinner made for me, cookies, roses – the works!  Top it off with some Cava, a bubbly for my possibly-broken-but-can’t-be-sure-about-it toe.  I saved the life … Continue reading →

Posted in Macabeu/Viura, Parellada, Spain, Sparkling Wine, Xarel-lo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Segura Viudas Brut Vintage Cava, Metode Tradicional, 2008, 12%abv, $28

So what do you do when someone you love is really sad and all you want to do is cheer her up? Moi? I treat first with food and then with alcohol. If neither of those help, we move quickly … Continue reading →

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Viña Gravonia, Crianza, López de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2000, 12% abv, C$42 BCLB

It was a sad day for the unusual wines of Rioja, Spain; Pedro Lopez de Heredia passed away today.  This called for the raising of a special glass in his honour and memory. Enter the Viña Gravonia, Crianza 2000. Several years ago … Continue reading →

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Vinas Elias Mora, Toro DO, San Roman di Hornija, Valladolid, Spain, 2009 14.5% abv, C$19

Oh, Spanish wines – how we love and adore you.  Great deals, fabulous fruit, complexity… Let me count the ways. The Elias Mora is from the northwestern corner of Spain, directly west of Ribera del Duero.  Made from Tinta de … Continue reading →

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Matsu, El Recio, Tinta de Toro, Toro DO, Spain, 14.5% abv.

If my sources are correct and El Recio refers to a ‘tough guy’ – then the picture on this bottle says it all!  He definitely looks tough. The wine’s not though – and it’s one of my favourite types.  Spanish?  Check. … Continue reading →

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Castillo de Monséran, Garnacha Old Vines, Cariñena DO, Spain, 2007, 13% abv, C$16

Thankfully, it’s Friday which means it’s time to sit on the couch and drink red wine. From some massive vineyards (21,500 ha) in the northeastern hills of Aragon, west of Catalunya, this Garnaxa based Spanish wine is made from 50 year … Continue reading →

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Atteca Old Vines, Garnacha, Calatayud DO, Spain, 15% abv, 2010, C$35 @ Legacy Wines

Legacy Wines, oh how I adore you. I walk in expecting to buy one bottle of wine for a friend and 6 bottles later, I trundle out of the store with a second mortgage in hand. Made from old Grenache … Continue reading →

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Ludovicus, Celler Piñol, DO Terra Alta, Tarragona, Spain, 2008, 14% abv.

The WSET Advanced Level 3 award results came through today – after waiting only 12 weeks.  I passed with Distinction in both the theory and tasting portions of the exam. Thrilled. Yup. Jumping with proverbial joy. What better way than … Continue reading →

Posted in Cabernet Sauvignon / Blends, Grenache / Garnacha, RED, Spain | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment