I love Spanish Tempranillo Wine

Spain is one of the so called “Old World” wine countries, with biggest grape area plantings in the world and one of the highest volumes of the wine production. But of course this is not the reason for my high sentiment towards Spanish wines. What is important, however, that if we will take 10 random wines produced in any country, in about the same price range, I will find the most of the wines to my liking out of those hypothetical 10 among Spanish wines – compare to any other region. Another equally important point for me is the value – Spanish wines offer one of the best values in the world; not only that – they are possibly the best QPR wines in the world. For example, if you will compare 1964 Rioja, which is still perfectly drinkable today and still can be found for less than $150, to majority of the wines of the similar age but from the other regions, most of them will not come anywhere close in the amount of pleasure they deliver, never mind the cost.

Spanish Wine Classifications

Genérico (previously called Joven): This is a basic form of the wine and guarantees origin and vintage only. Genérico wines have no minimum aging requirements and are generally sold within the first or second year after harvest. Approximately 40 percent of Rioja wines fall under this category and are very youthful and fruity with fresh acidity.

Crianza: For a wine to be labeled a Crianza, it must spend a minimum of one year in oak. Following its removal from barrel, the wine must spend at least another few months in the bottle before being sold. This level of Rioja is widely available on the American market and is incredibly affordable, usually retailing for around $15 or less. Rioja Crianza is fuller-bodied than Genérico, with notes of red and black fruit, toast, and leather.

Reserva: These wines are made using the best grapes of a harvest, and are only produced during years that were considered to have enjoyed a good growing season. Rioja Reserva must age for a minimum of three years, with at least one of those in oak, and the rest in the bottle. Reserva wines generally show significant signs of aging, with subtle fresh fruit characteristics and more dominant notes of cigar box and dried fruit.

Gran Reserva: This classification of Rioja is only made in years with exceptional growing seasons, and contains the highest quality of grapes from the harvest. Gran Reservas must be aged in oak for at least two years, and then spend at least three more years in bottle prior to release. Only two percent of Rioja wines are classified as Gran Reserva.

Winery recommendation: La Rioja Alta

La Rioja Alta traces its roots back to 1890 when five growers from Rioja and the Basque Country founded the Sociedad Vinicola de La Rioja Alta in Haro Station District. One of the growers, Daniel-Alfredo Ardanza y Sanchez, subsequently merged the group with his winery in 1904. The La Rioja Gran Reserva 890 and Gran Reserva 904 serve to commemorate these two significant events, with the “1” is omitted to avoid confusion with the vintage. The group currently owns 425 hectares of vineyard and 4 wineries - 2 in Rioja and 1 each in Ribera del Duero and Rias Biaxas. The La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 is produced in the original winery in Rioja.

Winery recommendation: Vega Sicilia

Bodegas Vega Sicilia is considered the crown jewel of Spanish wines. Since its founding in 1864, the winery has brought international acclaim to Ribera del Duero, a region in northern Spain formerly overshadowed by the more famous Rioja. Many believe Vega Sicilia’s commitment to quality earned Ribera del Duero its rightful place as one of the world’s highest-quality wine regions.