Spanish wine in the USA or elsewhere

[catavino]

My wife is in the states for this month. Next week she's going to a big Spanish wine tasting at Sam's in Chicago. This got me thinking, what wines are available around the US? And how does the selection vary from region to region? I guess I have 5 questions.


How many brands do you have more or less avaiable to you from Spain?
Do you have choices beyond, cava, sherry and rioja?
Do you feel that your local stores staff is educated on the wines they sell?
Do you find they consistently offer new wines, or is it always the same old same old?
Is Spanish wine easy to find at restaurants, both Spanish ones, and non-Spanish stores?Just want to see what people think. Thanks for responding, I would love to hear about people in other countries as well!

[ValenciaSon]

I live in the DC metro area. There is a neighborhood, family-run deli/market known as Snider's. Lately they've expanded and organized their wine section with what appears to be an increasing selection of wines, to include wines from Spain. I will create a list of which wines specifically, after my next trip to Snider's.

[Brian]

Spanish wine is somewhat difficult to find in the city where I live. We have several wine shops, but only one that sells Spanish wines. It sells Marqués de Cáceres, Panarroz, and about 4 other types that I don't recall, but will document for you when I go next.

It seems, logically, that larger markets have better selection. Café Ba Ba Reeba is Chicago's largest importer of Spanish wine, and have regular tastings. Here's a link to their extensive wine list (http://www.cafebabareeba.com/sangrias_wines_sherries.htm). You will need to scroll down a bit, though.

I typically find that there are very few educated staff at our wine stores, except for the one that I frequent. Their principal staffperson seems to know his stuff.

[keithclove]

I live in the SF bay area of California - we have a reasonable selection of Spanish wines at the Trader Joe´s stores here. I am in Spain at the moment, so can´t give you specifics, but it keeps us satisfied in between trips to Spain!

[neskadebilbao]

I know that this is hard to believe, but Linens N Things carries a few wines from Spain. World Market also does too.

[ogando]

In downtown manhattan I think the largest selection is at Astor Wines on Lafayette Street. Their store is arranged by country of origin. Their website shows 98 wines from Spain, in a variety prices with interesting descriptions.

http://www.astoruncorked.com

Here are a few from the list:
Clos L'Ermita, Alvaro Palacios 2002
A rare bottling from superstar producer Alvaro Palacios, this wine is made almost entirely from old vine Garnacha grown at high elevations in soils composed mainly of schist. With undertones of truffle, dark chocolate, and pepper, this wine fills the palate. (Spain)

Coll del Sabater 2003
N. Coming from the young appellation, Conca de Barberá near Tarragona, this young red organic. The vines are planted in iron and clay rich soil. With guidance from renowned Loire winemaker, Thierry Puzelat, this winemaker has created a delicate tasting wine.(Spain)

Emilio Moro Ribera del Duero 2003
A delicious example of Ribera del Duero, this 100% Tempranillo comes from a family run estate. Densely packed with black raspberry and current fruit, and a hint of tobacco, this wine possesses a velvet texture and a long finish. (Spain)

[catavino]

Thanks for all the replys. Good to hear that Spanish wines are making their way through the states. If any of you are interested in taking a survey for my site PM me. We have a good discussion on Spanish wines going on and where to find them.

On another note, I just moved to Terrassa outside of Barcelona, and I have yet to find a large wine shop. Not that there isn´t one, but I still have a quite a bit of exploring to do. IF anyone has been here and knows the town, let me know what I need to see! Barcelona should be easy, but i´m hoping my new home town is good too

[Catica]

I live just north of San Francisco, California, and I am pleased to report that I live just two blocks from a little shop and restaurant called Sabor of Spain (http://www.saborofspain.com/). They have a huge selection (http://saborofspain.com/pr_home.html). Well, tell me what you think.

I have yet to join their Club de Vinos (http://www.saborofspain.com/pr_home.html?page=store.html) yet, however. The thing is, I live just south of Napa and Sonoma, so I hope you can forgive me, but I tend to thrive on the local stuff. :)