Most people know about great red wine from the Rioja region.

But Spain offers seven major wine regions producing different grapes to make very different wines.

Taylor Goodall (Advintage) and our own John Brock (who just returned from there) will lead a tour of Spain with wines from these different Spanish regions.

Wines

2017 Sierra Cantabria Rioja Reserva

Ratings: Jeb Dennuck – 94, Wine Spectator – 92, Wine Advocate – 92, James Suckling – 92

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo (old vine)

Taste: “Sourced from parcels at high elevation, all old-vine Tempranillo, the 2017 Reserva is from a tough vintage that yielded low quantity but high quality in the right hands. It has remarkable acidity and structure, with a slatey texture that’s quite refined. Supple tannins belie its inherent power, marked fundamentally in the end by its elegance and complexity. Balsamic, leather, and rich raspberry swirl around spicy, peppery notes over a long finish. This will continue to age beautifully over the next 15-20 years.”

2021 Muga Rioja Reserva

Ratings: Robert Parker – 94, Jeb Dunnuck – 94, James Suckling – 93, Wine Spectator – 92

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, Graciano

Taste: “This 2021 vintage has a bright ruby-red color, with medium depth and a garnet-tinged rim. On the nose you discover an intense, complex wine. Aromas of wild fruits of the forest (blackberries and blueberries) come to the fore, with hints of spices. On the palate it is long, elegant and nicely balanced. Its sharp acidity is perfectly integrated and it has soft tannins. The finish is very long and full of fruit. Perfect for drinking now but, thanks to its good balance and structure, it can be kept in the bottle for several years.”

2019 Sierra Salinas Mo

Ratings: James Suckling – 91, Wine Enthusiast – Best Buy

Region: Alicante

Grape: Monstrell

Taste: “Aromas of blackberry and dried oregano with a hint of orange blossom pave the way for ripe summer cherry, raspberry, cocoa butter and violet flavors wrapped in soft tannins. Bright from first sip, this easy-drinking red has a splash of cranberry on the smooth finish.

2023 Botani Sierra de Malaga Old Vine Moscatel (Dry – NOT sweet)

Ratings: Vinous – 93, Wine Spectator – 91, James Sucking – 91

Region: Andalucia

Grape: Moscatel (NOT sweet)

Taste: “A bright, well-cut white, with a waft of orange and lime blossom aromas, plus a lively mix of blood orange, pink grapefruit granita, lychee, Thai basil and Marcona almond notes. A streak of salinity drives the mouthwatering finish.”

2024 Muga Rioja Blanco

Rating: Wilfred Wong – 89

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Viura, Malvasia, Garnacha Blanco

Taste: “Light straw in color, the 2024 Muga Blanco opens with aromas of tart citrus, green olives, and dried herbs. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers layered flavors of stone fruits and tangy citrus, supported by a vibrant line of acidity. A superb pairing with Tiradito de Pescado, the classic Peruvian crudo, where the wine’s crisp, savory edge enhances the dish’s citrusy brightness and silky texture.”

2024 Txomin Etxaniz Blanco

Rating: Wine Spectator – 91

Region: Basque country (Northern Coast)

Grape: Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondarrabi Beltza

Taste: “Floral and spice notes and juicy flavors of apple, tangerine zest, and honeydew melon in this sleek white with a light pleasing plumpness and a slatey finish.”