Spain and Portugal

This past Sunday my tasting group and I were scheduled for wines of Spain and Portugal, light wines as the Brits say; table wines as we Americans say. One of the great aspects of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust program, is that, over a couple of years, I tasted wines that I never before knew existed. And as part of my Diploma study course, we taste wines from all over the world for Unit Three, Light Wines of the World.

Beyond the “regular” and familiar wines we ventured into: Rioja Reserva, Gran Reserva, a red from Navarra, a red Duero, a white from Rueda, made with the Verdelo grape which is responsible for the verdelho style of Madeira, but here fermented bone dry and crisp. There was a wine from the Duoro River Valley where port grapes are grown. But this was a scrumptious red table wine using the Tempranillo grape and the Touriga Franca, which is one of the top five quality grapes used in producing the exquisite fortified Ports I love.

A Vinho Verde delighted with its low alcohol, early fruity taste and its wonderful fizzzzzzz! And of course, there was a strwawberry/raspberry scented rose′ from garnacha grapes from Rioja.

What impressed the group was the fine quality of the wines-not a dog among them. In fact, most were exceptional. And when the price was factored in, they were all great values. We taste blind and do not reveal labels and prices until after all wines are tasted.