Tag: Rioja

Albarino, Catalonia, Galicia, Godello, Jerez, Rias Baixas, Ribeiro, Rioja, Rueda, Txakoli, Verdejo, Wine travel

What region of Spain makes the best White Wines?

This year’s summer was one of the hottest on record, which for many people represented the perfect excuse to drink refreshing white wines, such as Rieslings from Germany, Chardonnays from Burgundy, Chenin Blancs from the Loire, Sauvignon Blancs from New Zealand and Bordeaux, and many others. But when it comes to Spanish wines, what region is the go-to place for the best whites? In previous … Continue reading What region of Spain makes the best White Wines?

almartinterianoLeave a comment
Garnacha, Rioja, Spain, sparkling wine, Tempranillo, Wine education

Rioja: Four Exciting Trends to look out for

If you ask any wine professional or enthusiast about the Spanish region they know most about, 9 out of 10 would probably mention Rioja, historically considered the gold standard of Spanish red wine. The relatively small (66,000 hectares or 160,000 acres) region of Rioja has a long tradition of quality winemaking – which started with the arrival of Bordelais producers fleeing the phylloxera epidemic in … Continue reading Rioja: Four Exciting Trends to look out for

almartinterianoLeave a comment
2022 Resolutions, Etna, Italy, Wine bars, Wine education, Wine travel

My New Year Wine Resolutions for 2022

Let’s admit it, 2021 wasn’t really the best of years.  Earlier in the pandemic many of us, myself included, believed that we’d be back to normal sometime in 2021 and were disappointed and fatigued by end of the year. Personally, I mostly missed the social and professional gatherings – formal and informal – that I enjoyed before 2020: wine dinners with friends, tasting groups, trade … Continue reading My New Year Wine Resolutions for 2022

almartinterianoLeave a comment
Catalonia, Garnacha, Grenache, Monastrell, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Spain, Wine travel

The Rise of Spanish Rosé

A growing number of exciting rosé wines (“vinos rosados”) are coming from Spain.  Nowadays, Spain not only produces fresh, simple, fruity rosés for summer but also a new wave of serious, gastronomic vinos rosados with the capacity to gain complexity with bottle age.  Spain is the world’s second-largest producer (5.5m hl) and the leading exporter of rosé wines, and it has a centuries-old tradition crafting … Continue reading The Rise of Spanish Rosé

almartinterianoLeave a comment
Albarino, Galicia, Rioja, Sherry, Spain, Travel, Wine travel

Four exciting trends in Spanish wine

I’ve been a fan of Spanish wines for quite some time. I admire the long winemaking tradition, wide diversity of regions and grapes and a large number of unique styles – from ethereal finos and manzanillas, elegant mature Riojas and bold and muscular Riberas del Duero.  Overall, they represent great values in the market across all price points. During the last few years, there’s been … Continue reading Four exciting trends in Spanish wine

almartinteriano2 Comments
Rioja, Spain, Travel

Rioja: As Old School as it gets

I’m a fan of tradition and deeply admire regions and people who do their best to preserve them from generation to generation. When first learning about wine, I came across a bottle of 1998 Lopez de Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva and was totally impressed by the combination of freshness and complexity with unique signature aromas of tobacco, dill and damp earth. Lopez de Heredia is … Continue reading Rioja: As Old School as it gets

almartinterianoLeave a comment