Top 10 "New" Wines To Look For In The New Year

Ahh...the new year. It signifies rebirth, a clean slate. A chance to get it right and avoid the mistakes you made the year prior. Oh, who are we kidding. We all know history repeats itself. But I will say, the new year is the perfect opportunity to try some amazing new wines. As I think about the year ahead, I begin to envision the "new" wines 2011 will bring with it. So I put together a list of 10 must-try wines for the new year. If you're feeling adventerous, this year's resolution could be to try all 10 before the ball drops in 2012.


1. Vina Cono Sur - Brut Sparkling - Bio Bio Valley, Chile NV - $20
We start this top ten list with a relatively new wine produced by the young, innovative Cono Sur winery of Chile. Cono Sur is the offspring of Chilean industry giant Concha Y Toro. The winery was founded as recently as 1993, but they have quickly become a staple in the Chilean wine market. They are the second largest exporter of bottled wine in Chile in terms of value, and they are one of the most progressive wineries in the country in terms of eco-friendly winemaking practices. Cono Sur was the first winery in South America to receive a double ISO certification, one for their quality assurance procedures, and one for their environmental policies.

What makes this wine worthy of my "new" top ten list is the fact that Vina Cono Sur is one of the few Chilean wineries to make wines with grapes grown in the Bio-Bio Valley, located in southern Chile. Bio Bio is one of the most southern wine producing regions in the world, boasting a climate that is sunny yet cool. These factors create ideal conditions for growing high acid grapes, which are perfect for producing sparkling wines. In addition this bubbly is a unique blend, consisting of 90% Chadonnay, 6% Pinot Noir, and 4% Riesling. It is dry - as the term 'Brut' on the label signifies - fresh, and clean, and makes for a great pairing for your backyard deck...or seafood.


2. Koutsoyiannopoulos - Assyrtiko - Santorini, Greece 2009 - $19
This next one comes from a region that has been making wine for over 6500 years. But only recently have we started to see a surge of good quality wines. The country is focusing on native varietals and modern production methods. The result is a boom in Greece's wine quality and quantity. This particular refreshing white by Koutsoyiannopoulos is made from the Assyrtiko (aka Asyrtiko) grape, a varietal indigenous to the island of Santorini. Santorini is regarded as one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the world. I myself would enjoy basking in the sun and enjoying this beauty with a friend, but it also pairs well with shellfish and white sauce dishes.

3. Lorca - 'Fantasia' Torrontes - La Rioja, Argentina 2010 - $15

Torrontes is the most-planted white wine producing varietal in Argentina. The grape could be considered the yin to Malbec's yang. Three varieties of Torrontes exist: Torrontes Sanjuanino, Torrontes Mendocino (aka Mendozino), and Torrontes Riojana. Torrontes Riojana is by and large the most widely planted of the three, accounting for over 20,000 acres of vineyard land in the country. When not properly cared for the grape can produce wines lack acid and are way too high in alcohol. Fortunately Lorca's Fantasia series Torrontes is well crafted, and the wine is clean, crisp, and bright, not flabby and hot. This wine is great with seafood, chicken, and ceviche.


4. Southern Right - Sauvignon Blanc - Walker Bay, South Africa 2010 - $19
Southern Right is a boutique South African producer that specializes in Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc. It was founded as recently as 1994 by Anthony Hamilton Russell, and the Sauvignon Blanc remains the wineries best seller. The label takes its name from the Southern Right whale that frequents the cool Walker Bay, and with every bottle sold Russell contributes a donation to the Southern Right whale conservation. Not that I need a reason to feel good about drinking, but it doesn't hurt to know I'm saving the whales every time I pour a glass. This wine is racy, with citrus fruit flavors and aromas. It pairs well with salads, garlic chicken dishes, and whale...kidding! On second thought...


5. Mollydooker - 'The Violinist' Verdelho - Adelaide, Australia 2010 - $25
Named after the Australian term for a lefty, Mollydooker is an outstanding Australian producer. The winery is owned and operated by left-handers Sarah and Sparky Marquis. Sarah and Sparky have spent the last decade or so making wine and building brands around Australia. In 2005 they decided to make wine exclusively for their own project, Mollydooker. The name the Violinist comes from the days when Sarah was forced to play the Violin right handed so she wouldn't poke her right handed neighbors in the eye with her bow. All of their wines are labeled with clever, quirky names that are linked to a story about their lives.

The Mollydooker Violinist is made from the Verdelho grape a white wine producing varietal native to Portugal, specifically the island of Madeira - not to be confused with the Verdejo grape of Spain. The Australian style is widely prized for its intense flavor and oily texture. The Violinist Verdelho is big and powerful with aromas of honeysuckle and lime. A great pairing for creamy pasta dishes, and it can even stand up to veal.


6. Inchanka - Bonarda - La Rioja, Argentina 2007 - $15
Inchanka, translated "Water of the Condor," is a relatively young producer in Argentina. This wine is imported by John Larchet of the World Wine Headquarters, a company that has an outstanding portfolio full of delicious treats. If you ever see a bottle with the WWHQ sticker on it, pick it up. In my experience, they only carry good juice.

This wine is made from the Bonarda grape native to Italy. In Argentina the grape is the second most widely planted red varietal. The Bonarda by Inchanka is loaded with concentrated red and black fruit aromas and flavors. The fruit is complimented by plenty of spice and a smoke-like characteristic. This wine is a great match for red meat, especially grilled.


7. Paringa - Cabernet Sauvignon - South Australia, Australia 2008 - $10
Paringa winery was established by the Hickinbotham family in the late 1990's. Their 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon was the first $10 bottle to get a 90 point rating from the Wine Spectator. What solidified Paringa's place on this top ten list is their outstanding commitment to quality. Year after year they produce value-packed wines with great flavor and character, which is more than I can say for almost any other $10 Australian wine. This red is loaded with black fruit flavors of currant and blackberry. Its weight, tannin structure, and acidity make it a prime candidate for a big ol' steak, especially a top sirloin.


8. Decoy by Duckhorn - Zinfandel - Napa Valley, California 2008 - $22
Duckhorn was founded in the mid 1970's by Dan and Margaret Duckhorn, and while this winery is by no means "new", the 2010 release of their 2008 Decoy Zinfandel marked the first vintage of this spicy devil. Duckhorn is a large, well-respected producer in Napa. They regularly receive high accolades from various industry specialists and trade magazines. The Decoy series has allowed them to showcase their Napa Zinfandel at a "non-Napa" price. For the first run of this red they produced over 9000 cases, no small amount for a market "test" batch. This juicy red pairs well with Cajun spiced pork, turkey, and beef.


9. Bodegas Volver - Tempranillo - La Mancha, Spain 2007 - $16
Volver could be my new love affair. Imported by Spanish wine icon Jorge Ordonez, this delectable red highlights the robust flavors and aromas of Tempranillo. It comes from the very large La Mancha sub-region of Spain. I say very large because La Mancha accounts for nearly one third of all the wine produced in Spain. This wine is full-bodied, with flavors and aromas of black and red fruit smothered in spice. This, coupled with its well integrated tannins, makes it a great pairing for lamb and beef. This wine gets better with each vintage, leaving me very excited for the 08'!


10. Quinta do Vallado - Red - Douro, Portugal 2007 - $19
While the Quinta do Vallado has been in the Ferreira family for six generations, it has only been in the last 10 years that we've seen the true quality this estate is capable of. It was in the late 1980's that the red wines of Portugal took a turn for the better. Before that time, grape prices were too low and growers made only enough money to sustain their businesses - updating equipment and staying current with technology was out of the question. But a surge of quality-conscious wine producers soon paved the way for what is now an encouraging wine industry.

For years the Ferreira family produced Port wines, but in 1993 they chose to steer their family winery in a different direction. It was at this time they took a quality-focused approach to red and white still table wine production. The 2007 Quinta do Vallado basic Red scored a 93 point rating in the Wine Spectator, a 92 point score in Wine & Spirits, and a 90 point rating from Robert Parker of the Wine Advocate. The wine is a blend of 5 native Portugese varietals, including Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, and Tinta Roriz. The wine is muscular, with concentrated red fruit characteristics. A monster like this deserves a roast, a steak, or simply a refill.


While some of these producers have been around for quite a while, it's only recently that their production has gained enough attention to be recognized on the international wine scene. Think of this list as an opportunity to try wines you've never heard of, a project, if you would, for 2011. I hate to give homework, but if it involves drinking, I figure it's not a bad assignment. I would love to hear about your "new" 2011 wines, so contact me on Facebook or via email.

For more incredible wine picks and delicious pairings, check out Cru Wine Online. We pair original recipes with delectable wines, and bring them to you in an entertaining video short, complete with a brief explanation of the wine, the dish, and the pairing.

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Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

Top Ten Value Packed Wine Regions

With more producers, more grapes, and more wines available than ever before, consumers find the hunt for a great bargain both easier and more time consuming. There is plenty of good juice on the market, much of it for less than $20, but some wine-producing regions are difficult to find value in.

Bordeaux, Burgundy, Napa, Sonoma, Barolo, Amarone, Rioja, Ribera del Duero and many others have created a name for themselves by making benchmark examples of a particular wine style. Because they are the standard that many compare their wines to it's often difficult to get wines from these regions for under $20. But fear not, I've put together a list of the best value wine regions around the world. These regions certainly put out a few expensive bottles, but for the most part they are regularly producing quality wine for under $20.

1. Paarl, South Africa

When it comes to South African wine regions Paarl is queen to king Stellenbosch. And while Stellenbosch produces some amazing values they are more consistently producing wines at a higher price point than Paarl. One of the reasons for this is that the Paarl region has ideal climactic conditions to produce quality juice year after year, with very little variation. Vintage (the year's weather conditions in the region) isn't a given all over the world. Regions like Burgundy in France can have terrifying weather patterns that change drastically each year resulting in a huge range in consistency from vintage to vintage (yet the price never goes down!).

Vintage variation isn't a big problem in Paarl, the region is close enough to the sea that it has the advantage of ocean breezes and rainfall, but is still tucked inland enough that they are not victim to some of the severe weather elements that can effect Stellenbosch. In addition, the soil in the region, granite, is ideal for growing high-quality grapes because it provides great drainage and makes the vines struggle, forcing them to dig deep into the soil for nutrition. Some quality-concious producers in Paarl include Glen Carlou, Fairview, Plaiser del Merle, and Graham Beck. These producers are some of the best from the region and still produce wines for under $20 a bottle.

2. Clare Valley, Australia

This next region , the Clare Valley, is the most northerly vine growing district in South Australia. Inland from the western Spencer Gulf and the southern Gulf of Saint Vincent, this region is hot - Australia hot. Usually in hot regions producers irrigate, or spray water, to keep the vines producing lots of fruit, but not in the Clare Valley. Here producers take a hands-off approach that results is a low-yielding crop (less grapes per vine) and ultimately better quality fruit because the vine doesn't get overworked. Think of the Octomom versus a mom with only one child. But just because the vine isn't overworked doesn't necessarily mean the wine is going to be good. It takes skilled winemakers to bring out the full potential of the fruit.

The winemakers in the Clare Valley are some of the most innovative and creative in the world. The Clare Valley was the first region in Australia to mandate that all of the wines produced there must be bottled and closed with a screw top, or Stelvin closure. The region makes reds, but is best known for their outstanding dry whites made from the Riesling grape. Most of the wineries here produce clean, refreshing, food-friendly whites that have a profile closer to Sauvignon Blanc than what many believe Riesling to be. You haven't lived until you have tried a dry Riesling from the Clare Valley. Some quality-conscious producers include Leasingham, Pikes, Cardinham Estate, Eldridge, and Knappstein.

3. Languedoc-Roussillion, France

France can be a daunting country for consumers. With a huge range in consistency and price, many steer clear and stick with wines with a furry creature on the label. But the Langeudoc-Roussillion region produces surprisingly consistent, high-quality wines for the price. Much of that quality has come within the last 20 years and is a result of skilled Australian "flying winemakers." Land was inexpensive in the region, and many motivated Aussie winemakers would travel to the South of France in the off-season to lend a hand. You see, the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere are on opposite growing season schedules. So while vines are budding in the north, they are going dormant in the south.

The Languedoc-Roussillion region of France has a Mediterranean-influenced climate providing warm days often cooled off by the cold, sometimes violent, Mistral wind. The soils are alluvial-rich, providing producers the ability to grow almost any grape variety. From big, rich Chards to fruity Pinot Noirs, the region makes a lot of juice, usually for less than $20. Some producers to look out for are Tortoise Creek (PGI d'OC), Penedesses, and Gaillard just to name a few. PGI d'Oc (Protected Geographical Indication) in particular, formerly Vin de Pays d'Oc, can produce some remarkable wines for under $20.

4. La Mancha, Spain

I highlighted the La Manch region of Spain in La Mancha, No More Stinky Shoe! Since the post readers have sent in dozens of wine suggestions and continue to rave about the region's quality for the price. The La Mancha region is found in the heart of Spain, which means it's hot. Heat usually means ripe fruit. Ripe fruit results in big wines that are full of bold fruit flavors and aromas. Since this is a market preference in the US, the big, bold wines, of La Mancha make for a good fit stateside. Prices stay low because the area is so large (La Mancha produces over 40% of Spain's total wine production), producers don't use much oak, and they aren't as well-known. In fact, much of the juice from the region costs consumers less than $10 a bottle. But beware, not all producers from La Mancha make high-quality wines. Look for producers like Opera Prima, Julian Santos, Torres Filoso, and El Vinculo.

5. Douro, Portugal

I've said it before and I will say it again, the Douro region of Portugal is producing remarkable wines for under $20. I highlighted the region's new-found quality and value in Top Ten Up & Coming Wine Regions. As I highlighted in that blog, the region is famous for their dessert wines, but the innovative and quality-conscious winemaking techniques being applied to their table wines are landing them in a variety of top ten lists. Producers to look out for include Quinta de Alorna, Bright Brothers, Nieport, and Sogrape.

6. Pfalz, Germany

The Pfalz (pronounced FAHLTS) is Germany's rising star. While it has always been capable of producing world-class wines, the recent trend in quality-conscious producers has resulted in a wave of delicious wine, usually under $20 a bottle. Almost 80% of the wine made in the region is white, and half of that is dry. The best winemakers from the region produce rich, powerful, spicy wines that are closer in style to the wines of Alsace France than Germany. Keep an eye out for producers like Josef Biffar, Reichsrat von Buhl, Darting, and A. Diehl.

7. Sicily, Italy

Our last European top-tenner makes enough wine to fill the Mediterranean. Producing over 210 million gallons, the island of Sicily makes more wine than all of Chile. While plenty of below-average wine exists, there has been a surge of quality in the region. Sicily's newest claim to fame is the Nero d'Avola grape, a red grape variety that produces robust, juicy wines. If you pick up a bottle of Nero d'Avola from a producer like Cusumano, MandraRossa, or Villa Pozzi, you will not be disappointed.

8. Central Valley, Chile

The Central Valley is the oldest, most traditional wine producing region in Chile. Within the delimitation are four wine districts that encompass seven growing regions. The four districts are: Curico Valley, Maipo Valley, Maule,Valley, and the Rapel Valley. In the last decade Chile has become a major player in the value wine market here in the United States, with imports to America accounting for almost $200 million. Water is free, labor is cheap, and the climate conditions are consistently good resulting in value-packed wines year after year. Some producers to check out are Concha Y Toro, Miguel Torres, Montes, and Montgras. The region's flagship varietal is Carmenere, often referred to as the "lost Bordeaux grape," but they are also making some fine examples of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. After the earthquake (click here to learn more) I was a bit wary, but they have rebounded quite nicely and the 2010 vintage should be par for the course.

9. Mendoza, Argentina

Jumping across the Andes, this next wine region is doing EVERYTHING right. Mendoza in Argentina has become widely prized for their high-quality red wines made from the Malbec grape. Malbec, traditionally a blending grape used in the Bordeaux region of France to add color and mid palate texture, has been perfected by the Argentinians. Here the grape produces dark purple wines with structure and balance, perfect for anything off the grill. Mendoza's elevation in the mountains has provided a perfect growing season for ripening this hearty varietal. Some producers to watch out for are Enrique Foster (the IQUE), Dona Paula, Terrazas, and Elsa by Bianchi. These wines costing less than $20 will blow your mind!

10. Columbia Valley, Washington

This last region on the top ten list has been making a bold statement with their quality wines at a remarkable price. When people think Washington state they think rain and clouds, but in the Columbia Valley, this couldn't be further from the truth. The Cascade mountain range in the east blocks the wet weather creating an almost desert-like growing conditions. Within a degree or two, producers can predict the temperature and weather patterns in the region. This consistency in climate makes for high-quality wines year after year. So whether it's and '09 or an '03, you can rest assured the wines of the Columbia Valley are going to be a good bang for the buck. The list of my favorite producers includes Hedges, Dusted Valley Vineyards (Boom Town label), Columbia Crest and Novelty Hill. The dominant grape varietals in the region are Riesling, Syrah, and Cabernet Sauvignon, but a few winemakers are producing some breathtaking Chardonnays.

Well, there you have it, a list of the top ten value wine regions. While there are a few that didn't make the list rest assured they received consideration. There is so much quality juice on the market for less than $20 that consumers can often be fooled by retail end-caps and cute labels. Stick to these quality regions, and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

I hope you have a chance to try a few wines from these value-packed regions. If there is one you think should be on the top ten list or a wine you tried and liked please feel free to drop me a line via email, facebook, or by posting a comment here on the blog.

Until next time thanks for reading and make sure to check out Cru Wine Online's new member services chock-full of daily wine and recipe pairings complete with entertaining videos.

Salut,

Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

La Mancha, No More Stinky Shoe!

As the quality of Spainish wines continues to rise, so does consumption in the United States. From their clean crisp white wines in the northwest to their amazingly value packed sparkling wines, called Cava, in the northeast - the region is producing some well received wines. The country has shed its stinky shoe reputation that plagued the nation in the 1980's and is quickly becoming a major player on the retail shelves in the United States. Wine lovers are drifting from the traditional regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero and are looking for exciting new values from DO's (wine regions) in the heart of Spain like La Mancha, Jumilla and Manchuela.

These regions in the heart of Spain just a decade or two ago were believed to be the barbecue stain on the nations clean white shirt. La Mancha, for example, received a bad wrap in the 1980's because they had a problem controlling and producing quality juice. The problems started in the vineyard and stuck with the juice all the way to the bottle. In the vineyard growers were harvesting their fruit too late. They let the grapes pass ideal ripeness which resulted in unbalanced grapes to make wine from.

In the winery their facilities were unclean and they couldn't control fermentation (the process of converting grapes in to wine). This resulted in the stinky shoe aroma that unfortunately became their calling card. With a little help from technology they are now able to control the temperature resulting in fresher, brighter, more flavorful wines.

Bright flavors and fresher wines aren't the only La Mancha qualities enticing Americans, the price is an important factor too. Wines from popular regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat can be expensive. One of the many reasons for this is the use of oak. Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Priorat use a lot of oak either to cater to the market demand or by law, and oak is expensive. A standard Barrique Bordeaux wine barrel can hold 59 gallons of wine and will make roughly 300 bottles or 25 cases. If you made this size of barrel from Limousin French Oak and applied medium toast (literally burning the inside) to it you would be looking at paying up to $1000 or more per barrel. That's an extra $40 per case, just for oak.

Regions like La Mancha are producing a style of wine that has less oak influence, if any at all. The producers from the region put more emphasis on fruit and freshness than depth and complexion. Because the prices of La Mancha wines are a fraction of those from Priorat if the region does use oak they must come up with clever ways to impart the flavor while trying to maintain a budget. Some examples of their creativity include stainless steel barrels lined with oak staves. This way a winemaker can choose how much oak they want to use and how much surface area they desire without having to pay the price for an entire barrel. In addition to submerging oak staves in to a stainless steel vessel some producers use oak chips or saw dust filled tea bags. Again, helping them impart oak flavor without having to pay for the barrel.

Beyond new winemaking techniques the wine prices from the region remain low because it produces a lot of juice, and I mean a lot. With only 300 wineries La Mancha accounts for almost 40 percent of all the wine produced in Spain. With that much juice they literally flood the market each year with low priced wines.

Now, before you go out and buy every La Mancha wine you can get your hands here are two things you need to know. Buy with caution. There is just as much, if not more, poor quality juice being produced as their is good. When buying a bottle of wine from La Mancha ask your sales rep, store clerk or sommelier about the wine before purchasing. Most of the time the juice is good and that's why it made its way on to the shelf or the list. But buying inexpensive wines to put on end caps or use as house wines can be appealing to some retailers and restaurateurs, so be advised.

Second, La Mancha wines aren't meant to age. The region is hot so the grapes get very ripe. This results in a fruit forward style that is high in alcohol. With only 3 or 4 years of age these wine lose fruit which heightens the alcohol perception. So stay away from anything with too much vintage depth (age). Instead go for the bright, young Tempranillos from the region. These wine display amazing fruit and character for the price. The region also produces quality single varietal and blended wines from red grapes like Garnacha, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah.

In terms of green grapes the region grows varieties like Airen (the most widely planted grape in the world accounting for over 30 percent of the grapes planted in Spain), Viura (also called Macabeo and is one of the grapes used in the production of Cava) and Chardonnay. White wines from the region can be a bit too alcoholic, so steer clear of lighter grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc.

In short, there are some really exciting wines being produced in the region but buy with caution. Thanks to adventurous consumers the quality has gotten better but it still has a long way to go. The only way to encourage more consistency is to support the region and purchase the quality products. So get out there and drink, if for no other reason than to show the world wine market you support quality at a value. Who knows, maybe it will inspire quality production in places like Turkey or better yet some place domestic like Nevada (the two have a similar climate and are on similar latitudinal lines to La Mancha)? If La Mancha can do it, why can't Nevada? Go Rebs!

As always thanks for reading and if you liked this pass it along to a friend.

Salut,
Nicholas Barth

Certified Sommelier

Wine Director

Cru Wine Online

2010 FIFA World Cup Finals: Netherlands 0 - Spain 1

In light of the recent Spanish victory over the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals yesterday I decided it only right to post today on the wine laws of Spain. Let me begin by explaining that the wine laws of Spain are difficult to define because they are ever changing. By the time you finish reading this post they will most likely have changed something. Also, this is a little wine geeky, so be advised this does come in video form at Cru Wine Online's YouTube channel.

In this post I'm going to explore the regions governed by the INDO's Ministry of Agriculture. The INDO stands for Instituto Nacional de Denominaciones de Origen. Since Spain's induction in to the EU they, in accordance with EU laws, formed a governing body to regulate and define their wine laws. The INDO specifically regulates regions like Rioja, Jumilla and Cava. Other regions like Cataluna and La Mancha have self-governing wine associations within their delimitation or wine zone.

The INDO laws are broken in to four tiers. The bottom tier or, most basic wines produced, are called Vino de Mesa or Table Wines. VdM's can be regionally blended and bear no vintage or geographic origin. This level is comparable to the basic table wines of France called the Vin de Table or Italy's Vino da Tavola.

The next step up from the basic wines of Spain are the Vino de la Tierra or Wine of the Land. VdlT's are required to state the origin from where the wine was grown and produced and must contain a minimum alcohol content. This is equivalent to the Vin de Pays (now called IGP) of France. But unlike French IGP's the Spanish VdlT is usually a stepping-stone to the highest classification. I say unlike because French IGP's are happy just where they are, no need to go anywhere - they are doing what they want when they want, like a teenager.

The next level of classification is a fairly new category. Better than VdlT and not quite DO status, Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geograica or VCIG are the Spanish equivalent of the VDQS's of France. Because of this categories youth it is still being defined and therefore is subject to change. But basically, VCIG’s are in the on deck circle waiting for the call up to the big leagues. The Robin to the greater Batman.

And that brings us to the highest quality (Batman) or the fourth tier of Spanish Wines. Vinos de Calidad Producidos en Regiones Determinadas or VCPRD, which basically translates to Quality Wine Produced in a Specific Region. Under the VCPRD are the sub categories of Denomincacion de Origen or DO and Denominacion de Origen Calificada or DOC. VCPRD's are regulated by the Consejo Regulador who define the parameters for growing, making, and marketing quality wine in Spain. Whew, the German wine laws are looking more appealing with every line. (German wine laws are arguably the toughest to understand and pronounce - the words often have 17+ letters)

Back to Spain. DO is the first of the two tiers defining quality wine in Spain. These wines have stricter requirements and a producer must undergo 5 years of examination before even being considered for DO status. There are currently more than 67 DO's including regions like Penedes, Rias Baixas, Ribera del Duero and many more.

Even more quality than a DO status is the DOC. This status is equivalent to Italy's DOCG. There are currently only two DOC's in Spain, Priorat and Rioja. Rioja was the first region to be awarded with the title in 1991. Then in 2003 Priorat was given the accolade. In Priorat, where Catalan is spoken, many refer to the DOC as DOQ or Denominacio d'Origen Qualificada. I know what you are thinking. This is really confusing. But just look at Spain as having 4 tiers of quality and the top tier has an a an b subsection.

To recap, VdM's or Table wines are the most basic, then VdlT's or Wine of the land are next, followed by VCIG and finally VCPRD which has a DO and a DOC sometimes called DOQ. Okay, you are right, this is more confusing than texting my 16 year old cousin.

Strip it down and all you need to know is that Spain is producing a lot of juice, and some is really really good. Stick to the DO's and you'll find some great wines at occasionally remarkable values. Regions like La Mancha and Jumilla are producing some really good juice so keep your eyes open for some delicious values, but buy at your own risk because these hot regions can produce some crappy stuff too.

Spanish wines have really made an amazing turn for the better in the last 20 years; so they don’t all smell of that old stinky shoe aroma you remember from drinking their wines in the 80’s. With producers using regional varietals like Tempranillo and Albarino to internationals like Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, there are some unique wines being produced.

Still, traditional regions like Rioja continue to make some great quality wines, and not always at exuberant prices. Their regulations on oak and aging requirements are designed for the producer to age the wine for you, so that you the consumer can drink upon purchase.

While this post may have came across as confusing rest assured the INOQ will most likely change the laws next week creating a new system for us to learn anyways, so don’t stress. Just remember that Spain is making a lot of really good quality juice and you can often find some great values.

As always thanks for reading and make sure to check out the Cru Wine TV split on Spanish Wine Laws.

Salut,

Nicholas Barth
Certified Sommelier
Cru Wine Online
Wine Director