Offering # 1 -- Spain

Spanish Selections

The sparkling wine, called Cava in Spain, is from the producer German Gilabert. This wine is the perfect start to any gathering. I know that many people feel that sparkling wines need an occasion, but they don’t! This wine is great as an aperitif and is a delight to drink with appetizers. $17.00 NV/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

Next up is a lovely white from the Rueada region. This producer is Vevi, and the wine is made from two grapes, Verdejo and Viura and that’s enough V’s for any one sentence. This wine is light and refreshing. You won’t taste any butter or oak in this bottle, unless you add them yourself. $14.00 2008/ $151.20 per case w/ 10% discount

This first red is a real charmer. There is no pretense to this wine from the Campo de Borja region. It is made from the Grenache grape and is truly built for comfort. This dry red, produced by Bielsa, is soft and delicate, plush and elegant. This was the first wine I bought from this importer, and I think it is a great example of what a price to quality ratio means. $12.00 2008/ $129.60 per case w/ 10% discount

This next red is a bit more serious. It is made from the Mencia grape, native to Spain, and is grown on hillsides so steep that they have little platforms on tracks to move the grapes down to the winery from the vineyard. The producer’s name is Guimaro and the wine comes from the Ribeira de Sacra. This is the kind of wine that you want to get to know. It drinks well with medium to hardy fare. This was a wine that I was taken with from the first taste and have returned to it many times. $17.00 2008/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

My wife fell so hard for my next selection that I was almost jealous. This wine is made from the Carignane grape, known as Samsó in the Monstant region. Carignane is frequently found in California Zinfandel blends. This bottle, produced by Clos De Noi, is pure Carignane. What I love about this wine is the perfect balance between its masculine and feminine qualities. This wine has character. $17.00 2008/ $184 per case w/ 10% discount

Last but not least is a wine from the Alicante region produced by Primitivo Quiles. This wine is made from the Mourvèdre grape as it is known in France and the United States. In Spain Mourvèdre’s name is Monastrell. This wine is like someone you meet at a party who you want to see again -- easily approachable and welcoming. I’m not one to judge a book by its cover, but I must admit to having a soft spot for the old style label. $14.00 2008/ $151.20 per case w/ 10% discount