Tag Archives: spain

Why Tracking Your Wine Journey Matters – Viura, Viña Gravonia, White Crianza, López de Heredia, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2004, 12.5% abv.

Posted on July 9, 2026 by winellama

This is EXACTLY why I keep track of the wines I enjoy. I opened a bottle of this wine 11 years ago in 2015 – and then again in February 2026. Now I can compare the two – and congratulate … Continue reading →

Posted in Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged 2004, art, books, Lopez de Heredia, photography, Rioja DOC, spain, travel, vina gravonia, viura, White Crianza, white wine | 1 Comment

Tempranillo, López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva, Rioja DOCa, Spain, 13% abv., 2008, C$100

Posted on May 21, 2026 by winellama

My heart dropped. I had opened the López de Heredia – Viña Tondonia Rioja Reserva 2008 for a dinner with some German guests and was hoping it may still be in a drinking window. It wasn’t even close. The 2008 … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, red wine, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged dead wine, drinking windows, Lopez de Heredia, redwine, rioja, Rioja DOCa, spain, spanish wine, tracking software for wine, wine apps | 2 Comments

Some Spanish Wines to Start the Year

Posted on January 16, 2026 by winellama

Everyone has one of those moments – either they enjoy a special bottle, travel to a specific wine region, or they have a wine experience that helps them decide that this wine thing is their new passion. Mine was a … Continue reading →

Posted in Carignan, FORTIFIED WINE, Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, Palomino, Pedro Ximenez / Pedro Gimenez, RED, red wine, Sherry, Spain, Viura / White Rioja, WHITE | Tagged albariza soil, bespoke tasting, blue slate, Els Pics, Gonzalez Byass, Jerez, Jerez DO, llicorella, oloroso, priorat doq, red wine, Rioja DO, sherry, sherry triangle, spain, spanish wine, travel, white rioja, white wine, wine, wine-tasting | 2 Comments

Tempranillo, Vina Bosconia, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja DOCa., Spain, 2009, 13.5% abv. US$50

Posted on February 27, 2024 by winellama

I’m going to be dreaming about having enjoyed this bottle for a while yet. It’s a classic Riojan red blend from benchmark winery, Lopez de Heredia – one of my absolute favourite houses. A stunning blend of Tempranillo (80) with … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo | Tagged garnacha, Graciano, Lopez de Heredia, Mazuelo, Rioja DOCa, spain, tempranillo, Vina Bosconia | Leave a comment

Viura, Viña Otano, Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOC, Spain, 2015, 13% abv., US$29

Posted on September 1, 2023 by winellama

I bought two of these, but now wish I’d purchased two cases. A white Rioja made of 85% Viura with 10% Garnacha Blanca and 5% Maturana Blanca, this wine is a definite treat and can be held for a long … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache blanc, Oregon, OTHER, Spain, WHITE, White Grenache / Garnacha / Garnaxa | Tagged Alta, Espana, Gran Reserva Blanco, Rioja DOC, spain, Vina Otano, viura, white rioja | Leave a comment

Tempranillo, Viña Cubillo, Crianza, Lopez de Heredia, Rioja Alta, Spain, 2012, 13.5 abv., US$40

Posted on February 23, 2023 by winellama

Classic, classic, classic – it doesn’t get much better than this developed, yet still bright, mostly Tempranillo wine from benchmark Rioja winery, Lopez de Heredia. The Cubillo vineyard has vines that are about 40 years old and the 65% Tempranillo … Continue reading →

Posted in Graciano, Grenache / Garnacha, Mazuelo, OTHER, RED, Tempranillo | Tagged Espana, Lopez de Heredia, red wine, rioja, spain, spanish wine, Vina Cubillo | Leave a comment

Tempranillo, Flor de Pingus, Ribera del Duero DO, Spain, 15% abv. 2014, US$100

Posted on April 17, 2022 by winellama

I cannot afford the top line of Pingus wines, but the Flor de Pingus, Peter Sisseck’s almost equally famous second label wines from Ribera del Duero, are within reach. Pingus is slang for Peter – the Danish owner and winemaker … Continue reading →

Posted in RED, red wine, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged Flor de Pingus, Peter Sisseck, Pingus, red wine, Ribera del Duero, spain, spanish red wine, spanish wine, tempranillo | Leave a comment

Garnaxa / Syrah, Clos Erasmus, Priorat DOQ, Spain, 2010, 15% abv, 139€

Posted on March 21, 2018 by winellama

In January 2015, we made a trip to Priorat DOQ in Spain and met the indomitable Daphne Glorian, owner of, and winemaker with her friend and colleague Ester Nin, at Clos Erasmus. It really was the tasting of a lifetime … Continue reading →

Posted in Grenache / Garnacha, OTHER, RED, Shiraz / Syrah, Spain | Tagged 100 point wine, Catalonia, Catalunia, Clos Erasmus, daphne glorian, ester nin, esther nin, garnacha, garnaxa, grenache, priorat doq, red wine, spain, syrah | 2 Comments

Blanc de Pacs, Parés Baltà, Organic, Penedes DO, Spain, 2014, 11.5% abv, C$21++

Posted on February 16, 2018 by winellama

In keeping with my recent attempts to let you know about well-priced AND delicious wines, here is another one to try. I often go to Everything Wine because of their always impressive selection of easy-on-the-pocket-book, unusual varietal, Spanish wines. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Macabeu, OTHER, Parellada, Spain, WHITE, Xarel-lo | Tagged 2014, biodynamic, Blanc de Pacs, macabeu, organic, parellada, Pares Balta, Penedes DO, spain, white wine, xarello | 2 Comments

Tempranillo, Anciano, 7 Year Gran Reserva, Valdepeñas DO, Spain, 2008, 13% abv, C$13.49+

Posted on January 26, 2018 by winellama

I love receiving comments and talking with you after you read my posts. Some of you like the pictures, others the wine notes. Many of you wonder if perhaps, just perhaps, it is possible that I drink just a little … Continue reading →

Posted in OTHER, RED, Spain, Tempranillo | Tagged 10 year old, 13% abv., 7 year old, Anciano, Espana, gran reserva, Guy Anderson Wines, red wine, spain, tempranillo, Valdepeñas DO | 3 Comments