I had the opportunity to visit a few weeks ago the most important Spanish wine fair in the country (Fenavin) and one of the most relevants in Europe. I set myself the challenge of choosing the ten more interesting wines for 10 euros or less that I tasted. Or almost, because three of the chosen ones cost a little more. But its quality is well worth the extra effort. This time I especially focused on wine from Galicia in the NW of Spain.
Year: 2021
Price: 8,47 euros
Grape: Albariño
% Alcohol: 12 º
Producer: Bodega Carballal
Area: DOP Rías Baixas
Controlled fermentation with indigenous yeast in stainless steel and aged on fine lees for two months.
This is the first wine made by the seven brothers who currently own the winery following the path of their father. 100% Atlantic wine with a straw yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose fresh fruit, apple and also hints of stone fruit, apricot.
Acidity well integrated. Elegant and fresh at the same time, a very lively Albariño, ideal for shellfish and white fish.
Year: 2018
Price: 10,50 euros
Grape: Albariño
% Alcohol: 12,5 º
Producer: Bodega Torres Agustí
Area: IGP Barbanza e Iria
A little hidden gem from Galicia. Its label caught my eye and its taste did not disappoint at all. In fact, the name of the wine is dedicated to the father-in-law of its producer, Manuel Bandín, who was in prison during the Franco dictatorship.
Fruit and mountain herb notes and a very interesting final salinity.
Like the previous wine, it is perfect for canned seafood, fish and white meats.
Year: 2021
Price: 9,90 euros
Grape: verdejo
% alcohol: 12,5 º
Producer: bodegas José Pariente.
Area: DOP Rueda
The classic from a classic winery that also makes a fantastic Garnacha in Gredos but was outpriced for our 10X10 challenge.
White and citrus fruits and aromas of fennel, scrubland with a mineral note at the end and a final taste of bitterness.
Perfect for appetizers, sausages and smoked meats.
Year: 2021
Price: 4,50 euros
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Vinícola de Tomelloso
Area: DOP La Mancha
Fenavin’s bargain. A very correct wine with an unbeatable value for the price that perfectly represents the spirit of the DOP La Mancha. It serves both as an aperitif by the pool or to accompany a light meal.
Aroma of red fruits, raspberry and strawberry, and greater persistence than might be expected considering its price.
Año: 2020
Price: 8,6 euros
Grape: Garnacha
Producer: Bodega López Campos
Area: DOP Méntrida
Méntrida is one of the most promising and at the same time most unknown wine areas in Spain. Hidden between the wines of Madrid and Gredos, the wineries fight to find its own place on the wine map. Almavid is a very fresh organic wine but with the character of the Aragonese Grenache that the current owner’s grandfather brought with him after the hit of phylloxera plague at the beginning of the 20th century.
A good opportunity to get to know the wines from a region with a lot of potential.
Tinto de maceración carbónica Ortega Ezquerro
Year: 2021
Price: 6 euros
Grape: Tempranillo
Productor: bodega Ortega Ezquerro
Area: DOP Rioja
One of the wines with the most hype on Social Media thanks to the fantastic comunication work of its winemaker, David Bastida Caro. Once again excellent value for your money in a young Tempranillo made using the carbonic maceration technique (see more info).
Aromas of red and purple forest fruits and floral tones with hints of liquorice.
Ideal to accompany game, red meats, roasts and cured cheeses.
Year: 2020
Price: 8,50 euros.
Grape : 90% Tempranillo y 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: bodega Finca Torremilanos
Area: DOP Ribera de Duero
I had the opportunity to listen to Ricardo Peñalba for the first time at Duero Wine Fest and I was very interested in his particular vision of Ribera de Duero wine, where they have been pioneers in organic and biodynamic farming for years.
Montecastrillo red is an organic wine aged for 4 months in French oak barrels. An absolutely versatile wine.
Cherry red with notes of coffee and liquorice and perfect for pizza and pasta.
Year: 2019
Price: 6,33 euros
Grapes: garnacha/ Mencía
Producers: vinos Barco
Zona de producción: DOP Valdeorras
Another excellent value for money wine where Grenache and Mencía harmonize perfectly. 12 months in oak barrel.
Ruby red with tile tones in which the wood contributes but does not weigh too much. Perfect red for good weather and barbecued meats.
Year: 2020
Price: 9 euros
Grape: Mencía
Producer: Ponte da Boga Adega
Area: DOP Ribeira Sacra
P from primero, first, in Spanish. The first of the young wines aged in steel tanks for 6 months.
Intense aroma, typical of the Mencía from Ribeira Sacra, with its notes of violet, rose, blackberry and pepper with a background of moist earth. Perfect to enjoy an Galician style octopus.
And the perfect excuse to visit his winery, located in one of the most special areas of Spain.
Year: 2020
Price: 10,30 euros
Grape: 100% Tempranillo
Producer: bodega Estancia Piedra
Area: DOP Toro
I could not close the list without choosing a wine from Toro, one of my favorites growing areas in Spain. An interesting discovery is Estancia Piedra Natural, aged for 6 months in French oak barrels.
Cherry red and aromas of fresh fruit, ideal for French cheeses such as Brie and Camembert.
Made by another wandering Scotsman, Grant Stein, who in 1997 decided to buy one of the largest plots of old vineyards in the DO. Currently they produce organic and natural wines with the utmost respect for their privileged environment.
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