Spotlight on Spain: 7 top drops to sip in the sunshine
There’s no denying Spain’s a dream destination when it comes to wine.
And boy does Spain have it all! With more land under vine than any other country and third largest producer in the world, it’s a big-wheel for a myriad of wines – and when it comes to style and quality, we’re spoilt for choice.
The Spanish deliver at every level, so to kick-start your tapas party or foodie fiesta, here are some notable styles…
In Catalonia’s cava country you’ll find value and vibrancy with Codorniu’s vintage release. From the oldest winery in Spain, it’s a pleasure to drink and doesn’t ask you to think about it, just to have fun. Deliciously crisp and refreshing with well-balanced fruit and hints of citrus, honey and toast, enjoy with seafood tapas, salty snacks and charcuterie.
Time to push your Provençal pink to one side and reach for the scented, red berry fruit flavours this delightful Spanish rosé offers. Soft and rounded with just the right balance of fresh acidity, it avidly over-delivers for the price when you compare it to rosés north of the Pyrenees. One to drink all summer long.
One of Spain’s strongest suits and unsung hero, sherry hails from Andalucía and these fortified wines are in a league of their own. Distinctive for its dry, nutty, yeasty tang, manzanilla can only be aged in the coastal town of Sanlúcar de Barrameda where the sea air contributes to the saline, tangy style. Serve ice cold in a wine glass with olives, ham and whitebait.
An exciting new release and part of Sainsbury’s Discovery Collection, this Galician red from the northwest proves the mencía grape variety is just as impressive as Galicia’s whites. The high altitude granite soils lend the wines a stony minerality, while savoury red cherry, blackberry, pretty florals, earthy, herbal undertones and fresh acidity are at the heart of this vino. Delicious with grilled meats.
Another key grape from the same region, godello gifts us fresh, elegant wines such as this ripe, citrusy white with gentle floral notes, hints of herbs and orchard fruits. A great alternative to chardonnay, the wine’s acidity makes it a great pairing with garlic shrimp, scallops and salads.
The driving force behind our love for Spanish reds, Rioja remains the king of the castle and a staple on our wine racks. A classy reserva in the classic style and a real beauty with its pretty aromas of violets, sweet oak and spicy accents, it’s broad and ripe with good structure and length. One for chorizo and cheeses.
Beyond the sparkling wines of Catalonia, the small, mountainous region of Priorat produces some of the country’s most prized reds – concentrated, powerful and pricey. An unoaked blend of grenache and syrah, this one’s silky smooth and plush with a peppery, floral perfume, vibrant black fruits and luscious long finish. A wine to swoon over.