No single wine-producing country has generated more buzz over the past decade than Spain. That’s saying something considering the growing excitement surrounding the wines coming out of Argentina.
Spain has given us its exotic whites (Albarino and Verdejo) from Rias Baixas and Rueda; dynamic new reds from Priorat and Toro; inexpensive but delicious quaffers from Tierra de Castilla in La Mancha; a renaissance in Rioja; and rumblings of quality in Jumilla.
The scope of Spain’s wine potential is nothing short of breathtaking. To the list of Spanish wines to seek out I would add the wines of Navarra, which is the subject of my Creators Syndicate column this week. Read the whole thing here!
The ancient Kingdom of Navarra is located in the Pyrennes, which separate southwest France from northeast Spain. Its capitol is Pamplona (Iruna in Basque) and the city is more famous for its festival of San Fermin and the running of the bulls than the wines from the surrounding countryside.
The wines of Navarra are rising in quality, and the prices are attractive and promise to stay that way for some time to come. The emphasis is on the Bordeaux grape varieties — Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot — blended with Tempranillo and occasionally Garnacha and Graciano.
Chardonnay and Pinot Noir also have a bright future in Navarra. Pay attention people. Navarra is the next big thing in Spanish wine!
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