Spain is home to some of the oldest vines in the world and we think some of the best value wines around! This week we’ll be exploring some excellent choices for yearend celebrations whether you are cozy up to a fire or making mimosas on Christmas morning. But in our blog this week we wanted to highlight two of the grapes that have helped put Spain on the map for great wine!

The first grape probably Spain’s most iconic, Tempranillo. The grape goes by a variety names across Spain and Portugal and is known for its love of American Oak, so if you like bourbon these may be the wines to try! Tempranillo is grown throughout Spain but the two most famous regions for the grape are Rioja, where the wine tends to be a bit bolder and bigger, and Ribero del Duero, here the wine tends to be a bit lighter and fresher. One handy tip to know is that if a wine says Reserva or Grand Reserva those are legally defined terms and means the wine has spent more time in oak, giving it an even more robust flavor.

The other grape that is a mainstay in Spain is Garnacha, or as the French call it Grenache. Spanish Garnacha tends to be a bit earthier than its French cousins, typically adding a depth of flavor that is impressive for the price of these affordable wines! While Tempranillo may be the most famous grape Garnacha is notable for its versatility. It makes an appearance in the great reds of Priorat, but also plays a part in Spain’s sparkling wine, Cava. Garnacha can also make a excellent rose wine, mean the grape can kind of be whatever a winemaker wants it to be. On top of that great versatility is the fact that Garnacha is both heat and drought resistant, in an ever warming Spain this is a hugely valuable trait, and bodes well for the grapes international reputation and plantings.

No matter what your Spanish wine of choice there is always a great variety of these delicious bottles to find at your nearest Crown! Stop in and let us help you pick out some of our favorites!