Spain
If You Only Have Time for the Class 6 BX
Great Spanish wines you can grab on base.
| Wine | Varietal / Region | Notes | Taste | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 890 | Rioja / Tempranillo | Benchmark traditional Rioja Gran Reserva | Cherry, leather, bold | $50–$100 |
| Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial | Rioja / Tempranillo | Historic, refined Rioja | Spice, red fruit | $70–$120 |
| Marqués de Cáceres Crianza | Rioja / Tempranillo | Classic Rioja, balanced, great quality/value | Cherry, vanilla, smooth | $10–$20 |
| Marqués de Murrieta Reserva | Rioja / Tempranillo | Classic Reserva Rioja, smooth oak influence | Cherry, spice, earthy | $30–$40 |
| Borsao Selección Garnacha | Campo de Borja / Garnacha | Great value, approachable | Juicy, herbal, smooth | $15–$25 |
| Borsao Garnacha | Campo de Borja / Garnacha | Excellent value, expressive | Berry, spice, herbal | $10–$25 |
| Tintilla de Rota | Andalusia (Rota) / Tintilla | Rare local Andalusian wine | Sweet, bold, unique | $15–$25 |
| Pazo de Señorans Albariño | Rías Baixas / Albariño | Fresh, crisp, great with seafood | Citrus, peach, light | $12–$20 |
| Alazules Airén | La Mancha / Airén (white) | Crisp and refreshing — often sold in Europe/US | Peach, Apple, Floral | €10–15 (~$11–15) |
| Felix Solis "Montefrío" Airén | La Mancha / Airén (white) | Widely distributed Spanish value white, tropical and balanced | Tropical, Balanced, Light | €9–12 (~$10) |
| Las Tinadas / El Cérrico Airén | La Mancha / Old-vine Airén | Crafted in amphora from heritage vines — smoky, mineral — highlighted by Jancis Robinson | Mineral, Smoky, Crisp | €15–20 |
| Raventós i Blanc 'de Nit' Rosé (SPARKLING) | Penedès / Macabeo–Xarel·lo–Parellada–Monastrell | Organic, estate-grown cava rosé with elegance and finesse; critically acclaimed | Dry, Strawberry, Mineral | €18–25 (~$20–27) |
| Gramona Imperial Gran Reserva (SPARKLING) | Penedès / Xarel·lo–Macabeo–Chardonnay | Long-aged (30+ months), refined and complex; a premium cava option | Dry, Brioche, Nutty | €25–35 (~$28–38) |
| Juvé & Camps Reserva de la Familia (CAVA SPARKLING) | Penedès / Macabeo–Xarel·lo–Parellada | Top-rated brut nature cava; dry, elegant, and long-finishing | Dry, Lemon zest, Almond | €18–30 (~$20–32) |
Interesting and Less Common
If unavailable at the NEX try Bodegas El Gato
| Wine | Varietal / Region | Notes | Taste | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tintilla de Rota | Cádiz (Andalusia) / Tintina | Rare indigenous grape from Rota, a true local specialty | Sweet, dark, smooth | $15–$25 |
| Txakolina (Txomin Etxaniz) | Basque Country / Hondarrabi Zuri | Unique Basque wine, refreshing and different from typical whites | Crisp, fizzy, citrus | $20–$30 |
| Bierzo Mencía (e.g., Descendientes de J. Palacios) | Bierzo / Mencía | Elegant, medium-bodied alternative to Rioja | Berry, floral, bright | $20–$35 |
| Albariño (e.g., Martín Códax) | Rías Baixas / Albariño | Expressive, crisp white from Galicia, perfect with seafood | Citrus, floral, light | $15–$25 |
| Priorat Garnacha & Cariñena (e.g., Scala Dei) | Priorat / Garnacha/Cariñena | From the rugged Priorat region, rich and complex | Dark, spicy, bold | $25–$40 |
| Manchuela Bobal (e.g., Finca Terrerazo) | Manchuela / Bobal | Lesser-known grape with great structure and value | Earthy, juicy, peppery | $20–$30 |
| Montilla-Moriles Pedro Ximénez | Andalusia / Fortified Sweet White | Southern Spain's answer to sherry, great dessert wine | Raisin, fig, sweet | $15–$30 |
| Garnacha Blanca (e.g., Viñas del Vero) | Somontano / Garnacha Blanca | A rare white from Garnacha grape, aromatic and elegant | Pear, floral, balanced | $15–$25 |
Explaining Spain's Sparkling Wine
Cava is Spain's version of sparkling wine, made in a way that's very similar to Champagne. Like Champagne, Cava gets its bubbles from the traditional method (or méthode traditionnelle), where a second fermentation happens inside the bottle. This process creates finer bubbles and a more complex flavor.
Cava is mostly made in Catalonia, near Barcelona, using local grapes like Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada instead of the French grapes used in Champagne. Most Cava is dry, which means not sweet — look for "Brut" or "Brut Nature" on the label if you like crisp, dry wines. If you want something a little sweeter, try "Sec" or "Semi-Sec."
Cava is an affordable, fun, and food-friendly sparkling wine that's perfect for everything from celebrations to casual evenings.
So What is Rioja?
Tempranillo is a grape, while Rioja is a wine region in Spain where that grape is most famously grown. Think of it this way: Rioja is the place, and Tempranillo is the main grape grown there.
Most red wines from Rioja are made primarily from Tempranillo, often blended with small amounts of other grapes to add flavor and structure. So, when you drink a red Rioja, you're almost always tasting Tempranillo — but not all Tempranillo comes from Rioja. Tempranillo is also grown in other regions like Ribera del Duero and Toro, where it can taste a bit bolder or more intense.
Region & Grape Overview
