The Cellar: Spanish Reds for Cozy Nights

The Cellar: Spanish Reds for Cozy Nights

Wines from Spain are becoming increasingly popular among American wine consumers – and with good reason. I have long hailed the great quality and unbelievable value these wines bring to the table. In fact, some of my favorite wine regions are located in Spain, among them Rioja and Ribera Del Duero, both of which are famous for making great wines based on the grape varietal Tempranillo. This week’s wines however, will feature two different varietals; Garnacha and Monastrell, which are probably better known by their French names Grenache and Mouvédre.  

2010 Lechuza Garnacha

Spain produces a lot of wine! In fact, only France and Italy produces more. The huge supply is a great thing because as the wines from the more popular Spanish regions become more expensive, we as Spanish wine lovers don’t have to look far for another great Spanish value. The 2010 Lechuza, which is made from Garnacha grapes sourced from vineyards around the northwestern town of Longares in the region of Zaragoza, is exactly such a wine.

Josh Reynolds, who writes for Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, gave the Lechuza 88 points. While I am not a big fan of the point system, I certainly agree that this is a very good wine. This is a medium-plus bodied wine with delicious fruit flavors. There are both dark fruit and red fruit in this wine, alongside hints of spice. It finishes on a refreshing acidic note that leaves your mouth salivating and wanting more. It is made from 100% Garnacha (aka Grenache) grapes with no use of oak. Like with most red wines I recommend you pour it into a water pitcher an hour before serving it. This is a wine I would buy again and for under $12 one I recommend you seek out.

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2008 Finca Luzon Verde

This week’s second wine is from another interesting up-and-coming region; Jumilla, located in the southwestern quarter of Spain. Since being officially recognized and geographically defined as a wine region (D.O.) in 1966, wines from Jumilla have become more and more popular internationally. What’s interesting about Jumilla is the fact that most of its vineyards are dedicated to growing the Monastrell varietal, aka Mouvédre. This particular grape flourishes in this area's flat vineyards and rocky soils and produces delicious everyday wines that are great values.

The 2008 Luzon Verde is made from organic Monastrell grapes. Compared to this week’s first wine the Luzon is more savory and has a little more bite to it. The tannins are firmer, and while the flavors were fruitier in the Lechuza the flavors in this wine are more earthy and gamey, while still displaying lovely black cherries and a nice acidic grip on the finish. I like it a lot (especially for considering it only costs $10) and so do the critics at Wine Spectator Magazine, who awarded the 2008 Luzon Verde a solid 86 points.  

Enjoy!

Steffen Rasch CSW is ready to answer any wine-related questions, comments or concerns you may have. Feel free to email him at [email protected]. And as always, don’t forget to follow GoLocalProv’s Wine Cellar on Facebook.