Cheap Good Wine from Spain

[ValenciaSon]

I just bought and went through a bottle of Tinto Figaro Calatayud, a 2003 bottle for $5.99. Taht was some pretty good wine. Why is it so hard to find the keys on my key bord??

[ValenciaSon]

I had a bottle (http://www.winebuys.com/popups/big-product.php?code=RW-TEMPTS-03) of tinto which was a blend of temperanillo and shiraz. I do recall the name. It was delicious and only $5.99 despite what the links says!

Tempra Tantrum 2003 Tempranillo/Shiraz (http://www.winebuys.com/page/buy-wine/PROD/other-red/RW-TEMPTS-03)

[Brian]

I had a bottle of tinto which was a blend of temperanillo and shiraz. I don't recall the name but it was delicious and only $5.99!

We just popped open a bottle of red tonight, called Panarroz. It's very affordable and common in the States. It was made in Múrcia. It has a high alcohol content for wine (14%) without tasting too alcoholic. I'm no Catavino, so I can't share the nuances, but it went quite well with the steak and potatoes.

http://winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=1184

[Alan]

I don't know if I'm becoming a wine buff (hardly!) but I used to be able to buy just about any bottle of wine over £3 and thoroughly enjoy it. Stowell's had a range of wines from throughout the world, including a tempranillo that at the time, I loved. Lately though, I've been finding that I need to buy more expensive ones to enjoy them. I bought a bottle of 2003 South Australian Shiraz the other day and opened it yesterday. Yeah, I can drink it, but I am not enjoying it at all. Perhaps I should tune into Catavino's podcast to see what I should be doing.

I get my wine (not including the aforementioned Australian Shiraz) from a mail order company, Virgin Wines. I find that for the same price, the quality of the wine is just that bit better, and the most annoying thing is that I don't know why!

I had a lovely wine in Menorca. Rioja Vega Tinto. And it was only 8,65€! That's not bad for restaurant prices . . .

I'm away to load up Catavino's podcasts!

[celia s]

I have just discovered Zinfandel.I bought a bottle of Ravenswood Vintner for nine pounds and was very impressed.It is a very big, flavourful wine.
I have also recently tasted Barbera d'Asti from the Piedmont region.It had been aged for several months in oak barrels and was totally mind blowing!
Since joining this forum,I have started to appreciate different wine varieties and have definitely noticed a change in my taste buds too.It all started with a bottle of Tio Pepe......
There are some great wine podcasts out there.I listen to Catavino,Grape radio,Winecast and the Oz wine show.I have also downloaded a wine education course (wine for newbies) which contains 47 episodes!
I think I am becoming a wine geek!

Will be trying some Albarino wines soon.

[osvaldo]

Celia,

I live 10 minutes south of Ravenswood Winery...they're known for producing excellent zinfandels (a favorite varietal of mine, along with a good pinot noir).

[Brian]

Celia,

I live 10 minutes south of Ravenswood Winery...they're known for producing excellent zinfandels (a favorite varietal of mine, along with a good pinot noir).

I'll have to try Ravenswood. I've seen it in our local wine shop, but haven't tried it. Do you have a particular year to recommend?

[osvaldo]

I'll have to try Ravenswood. I've seen it in our local wine shop, but haven't tried it. Do you have a particular year to recommend?

Yes, 2002 vintages have been getting fantastic accolades.

[barca]

If you can find a white Torres Vina Sol for 5GBP buy a shed load!
Marquez de Caceres red is another great wine for about 12GBP.
Sorry if you don't live in the UK - I'm sure you can get it in the USA but I don't know the prices - we have our backsides taxed off by the GB government where alcohol is concerned!!!!

[ValenciaSon]

If you can find a white Torres Vina Sol for 5GBP buy a shed load!
Marquez de Caceres red is another great wine for about 12GBP.
Sorry if you don't live in the UK - I'm sure you can get it in the USA but I don't know the prices - we have our backsides taxed off by the GB government where alcohol is concerned!!!!

In the US, I got a bottle of the tinto and the blanco Marques de Caceres for $6.99 each. It is sort of sweet and fruity. Quite enjoyable. I found letting the tinto breathe for a few minutes gives it a smoother quality.

[Marina]

Recently we took a bottle of "Protos" crianza from Ribera del Duero Area to England at 12 Euros the bottle the wine was delicious.
While in Galicia we had lots of white, cold Albariño, which is ideal for summer heat and delicious with some cheese.

If you try any let us know what you think.

[Brian]

If you can find a white Torres Vina Sol for 5GBP buy a shed load!
Marquez de Caceres red is another great wine for about 12GBP.
Sorry if you don't live in the UK - I'm sure you can get it in the USA but I don't know the prices - we have our backsides taxed off by the GB government where alcohol is concerned!!!!

Marques de Cáceres is found in my local wine shop, and the 2002 is my favorite. It's about 9 euros in Spain, and about $17 per bottle in the States for the Rioja.

[catavino]

There are some great wine podcasts out there.I listen to Catavino,Grape radio,Winecast and the Oz wine show.I have also downloaded a wine education course (wine for newbies) which contains 47 episodes!
I think I am becoming a wine geek!

let me know if there is anything that you would like covered when it comes to becoming a wine geek, maybe questions that don't have answers yet for you.

as far as Caceres goes, good wine, if not a bit simple. they are a benchmark producer that has been content to sit on their laurels and take what comes. While they make nice wine, you can find better deals out, in my opinion.

Ribera del Duero is nice for a change, but I really think LaMancha, Manchuela, Bullas, Jummila,Yecla, Murcia and even DO valencia will become the places for fun new wines at good prices and easy to drink, in the near future. If you want something a bit more international though don't forget to look for wines from Somontano - Big blends with international grapes and with a Spanish flair....

[ValenciaSon]

Hi Ryan,

Are any of those great wines you mentioned available in the US?

[celia s]

Hi Osvaldo,
I am totally envious!The Sonoma valley looks stunning.Have you visited many Californian wineries?
I have just watched the movie "Sideways",which I found hilarious.Infact,it has inspired me to do more research on wineries and wine tours.
I would like to try Pinot Noir next.I have heard that you need to spend at least $20 for a decent one.If you can recommend any that would be great.

[celia s]

Hi Catavino,
I have been reading about Super Tuscans.Can you recommend any producers that produce good quality wines that are not exorbitant?
Also,is there much difference between Albarino and Alvarinho,in terms of taste and quality?

Good luck with the move to Barcelona!

[ValenciaSon]

Does anyone here cook with wine? If so, what wine(s) do you use to cook with?

[Brian]

Does anyone here cook with wine? If so, what wine(s) do you use to cook with?

¡Lo mas barato que haya! ;D

Usually, if I add in some wine, it's a sherry or white wine, but no specific marca.

[Alan]

Yeah, me too. But if there's a bottle open, I will just use a splash on occasion, even if it is more expensive. But then, my idea of expensive is probably quite different to the connoisseurs here . . .

[catavino]

Hi Catavino,
I have been reading about Super Tuscans.Can you recommend any producers that produce good quality wines that are not exorbitant?
Also,is there much difference between Albarino and Alvarinho,in terms of taste and quality?

Good luck with the move to Barcelona!

As far as the first part of that questions I try to not recommend producers, because then you might overlook someone I don't know about. Rather look for regions and styles. In my past post I listed about 6 regions that are a lot of fun to try wines from. All should be available in the states and beyond. All of which should be affordable, though also have some higher priced items. : ValenciaSon you should be able to find most of those regions in the states. They tend to export more of their wines, as Spain is not a very big wine drinking country beyond Ribera del Duero and Rioja.

As far as Albarino and Alvarinho, well they should taste the same, since they are the same. Both the same grapes just two different languages, Span/Portuguese. You'll actually sometimes see the label Alvarinho on Spanish wines though, due to Gallega influence. From Portugual look for Alvarinhos in the wine called Vinho Verde or Green wine, from the northern boarder of Portugal. Great wine light refreshing and wonderful with seafood. Almost always blended with triexadura, or trejadura depending on what language you choose to use!

As far as cooking, use anything you would drink. In the states there is "cooking wine" , this is a fake wine that is actually cooked juice, then filled with sodium quite often and "made to taste" like wine. The rule for cooking is if you can't stomach it by itself, don't put it in your food. That said 5dollar jugs of basic wine are just right, you may not want to have it with the dinner but you won't gag when you try a sip! And actually the best wines right now for this is some of the better boxed wines, think BlackBox or Hardy's and you have good wine to drink and cook with!

[Brian]

As far as the first part of that questions I try to not recommend producers, because then you might overlook someone I don't know about. Rather look for regions and styles. In my past post I listed about 6 regions that are a lot of fun to try wines from. All should be available in the states and beyond. All of which should be affordable, though also have some higher priced items. : ValenciaSon you should be able to find most of those regions in the states. They tend to export more of their wines, as Spain is not a very big wine drinking country beyond Ribera del Duero and Rioja.

As far as Albarino and Alvarinho, well they should taste the same, since they are the same. Both the same grapes just two different languages, Span/Portuguese. You'll actually sometimes see the label Alvarinho on Spanish wines though, due to Gallega influence. From Portugual look for Alvarinhos in the wine called Vinho Verde or Green wine, from the northern boarder of Portugal. Great wine light refreshing and wonderful with seafood. Almost always blended with triexadura, or trejadura depending on what language you choose to use!

As far as cooking, use anything you would drink. In the states there is "cooking wine" , this is a fake wine that is actually cooked juice, then filled with sodium quite often and "made to taste" like wine. The rule for cooking is if you can't stomach it by itself, don't put it in your food. That said 5dollar jugs of basic wine are just right, you may not want to have it with the dinner but you won't gag when you try a sip! And actually the best wines right now for this is some of the better boxed wines, think BlackBox or Hardy's and you have good wine to drink and cook with!

It's good to have a refined palate around here! :)

[Edith]

As far as cooking, use anything you would drink. In the states there is "cooking wine" , this is a fake wine that is actually cooked juice, then filled with sodium quite often and "made to taste" like wine.

LOL, yuck

Could you recommend me some good vino rosado? Not too dry, not too sweet - and affordable. :)

[ValenciaSon]

Thanks Ryan. I often wondered if any of the wine boxes were worthy at least for cooking (but was too embarassed to ask):)

[ValenciaSon]

Last night I opened up a bottle of Gran Reserva Pata Negra 1998 tinto, much to everyone's approval! I found it to be quite smooth and full bodied with a slight fruity aftertaste. $16.95 a bottle.

[catavino]

LOL, yuck

Could you recommend me some good vino rosado? Not too dry, not too sweet - and affordable. :)

Look for any wines that come from Navarra, always great values with great fruit and good prices. On the otherhand my favorite rose's are sparkling, Look for good sparkling rose's and you'll be happy. Crisp, fresh, and full of fun! Probably hard to find in the US but you never know and it's always good to ask.

[Marbella]

This is great stuff but about 6 quid a bottle here in the UK. Might be cheaper elsewhere, certainly in Spain. The following description is from our wine club:

Sumptuous Martínez Bujanda Rosado is rosé at its best. Crafted exclusively for you at Rioja’s most bemedalled estate, it’s brimful of ripe Summer fruit flavours – and tastes utterly delicious.

Premium rosé such as this requires meticulous attention to detail from start to finish. Quality control begins in the vineyard – Martínez Bujanda is one of the few Rioja cellars that grow their own fruit rather than buy in grapes. For this rosé they use pure Garnacha, “the best grape for rosé because it’s so fruity” (Wine Spectator). Once in the cellar, these precious red grapes are pressed – but ever so gently. That’s how this rosé gains its glorious deep salmon hue and elegant richness.

Full and fresh with mouthwatering strawberries-and-cream flavours. Makes a superb apéritif yet has more than enough weight and concentration to partner smoked salmon or seafood tapas. Ideal to share with friends or impress dinner party guests.

Enjoy.:)

[Edith]

Look for any wines that come from Navarra, always great values with great fruit and good prices. On the otherhand my favorite rose's are sparkling, Look for good sparkling rose's and you'll be happy. Crisp, fresh, and full of fun! Probably hard to find in the US but you never know and it's always good to ask.

Thanks for the tip Catavino! :)

BTW, I'm from Holland, so perhaps it will be a little easier to find these wines since we are closer to Spain.

[Edith]

This is great stuff but about 6 quid a bottle here in the UK. Might be cheaper elsewhere, certainly in Spain.

Sounds great for a special occasion though!

[Marbella]

Sounds great for a special occasion though!

Oh go on, treat yourself! Carpe diem and all that.:)

[Edith]

Oh go on, treat yourself! Carpe diem and all that.:)

;D

[Cynthia]

Let me preface this with, I know nothing about wine, so I might sound a bit silly trying to describe my favorite Spanish wines....:blush:

One of my favorite vino tintos is called Luzon Verde (http://www.winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=1259). It's from Jumilla, and the back says something about 100% Monastrell, which I'm going to assume is the type of grape....?? (refer to my preface!)

I don't like white wine that much, but there is a wine and tapas bar in Ithaca, NY (Just a Taste (http://www.just-a-taste.com/)) that has the most amazing wine from Rías Baixas (http://www.winelibrary.com/reviewwine.asp?item=2914), though I haven't seen it in any of the wine stores near where I live. As far as price on that one, as a poor grad student, it's not what I'd call cheap (though the website linked above has a decent price on it), but it's not that expensive either.