Spanish Wine: Experience Spain Without a Passport

You don't need to be fluent in Spanish, or have a passport to Spain to enjoy all the wonderful wines available from this magnificent country. Spain has been producing wine for thousands of years. In fact, it's only behind Italy and France in production of wine. You won't need your passport to enjoy the best of Spain's vast amount of wine offerings. Before we offer some great recommendations, here are a few things to keep in mind.

While there are many succulent Spanish wines from which to choose, here's a taste of some favorites that can be found at Haskell's.

Spanish Reds

El Jamon Crianza - This red pairs well with tapas, tomato based pasta dishes, pizza, Serrano, pork, steak, olives, and Manchego Cheese. It has intense aromas and flavors of vanilla, strawberry, cherry and spice note. *92 points from The Wine Advisory Board

Montecillo Rioja Crianza - Using Tempranillo grapes, this intense fruity wine is aged for at least one year in Bordeaux barrel. Excellent with grilled meats.

La Rioja Alta Vina Alberdi Reserva - Well-balanced, with a smooth, elegant entry, medium body and sweet, tasty tannins. This red pairs wells barbecues, perfect with rice, pastas and stews, and great with lightly-grilled meat and fish. *94 Points - The Wine Advisory Board

Spanish Whites

Hermanos Lurton Verdejo - Dry, crisp with flavors of white-fleshed fruits, fennel with dried fruit notes. *90 points - The Wine Advisory Board

Ramon Bilbao Albarino - An easy drinking wine with subtle notes of white flowers, and apples. Pairs well with cheese.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva - This sparkling wine, Cava, is crisp with an interesting floral note and mouth-pleasing sensation of creaminess.

Things to note:

Spanish wines are traditionally marketed by regions instead of grape varieties, and often labeled according to the aging of the wine. For instance:

Crianza red wines are aged for 2 years with at least 6 months in oak.
Crianza whites and rosés must be aged for at least 1 year with at least 6 months in oak.

Reserva red wines are aged for at least 3 years with at least 1 year in oak.
Reserva whites and rosés must be aged for at least 2 years with at least 6 months in oak.

Gran Reserva wines typically appear in above average vintages with the red wines requiring at least 5 years aging, 18 months of which in oak and a minimum of 36 months in the bottle. Gran Reserva whites and rosés must be aged for at least 4 years with at least 6 months in oak.

Spanish wines are wonderful with food, and you can find many that are relatively easy on the pocket book as well. Come on and take a tour of this wine and food friendly country by shopping online at Haskell's.