One of the beauties of Spanish wine is the diverse range of offerings, from reds to whites to sparklers and beyond, all produced from many different grape varieties and in many different styles. We applaud the intrepid wine lover ready to dive into that bounty and explore, but it’s also satisfying to return again and again to some of Spain’s best-known styles: red wine from Rioja and white wine from Rías Baixas, for instance.
Both are delicious hallmarks of Spanish wine production and tradition, with their reliance on local grape varieties: Tempranillo for Rioja and Albariño for white wines in Rías Baixas. And both wines are ready partners with food; try Rioja with grilled lamb chops or mushroom dishes, and enjoy Albariño with almost anything from the sea.
In general, Riojas are medium-bodied with a focus on cherry fruit flavors and accents of herbs, spices and fresh earth. A tang of orange peel acidity and moderate tannins provide structure, although versions with additional aging in oak—especially new oak—can be a bit more robust. I find the sweet spot in terms of structure, expression, quality and price point is often among Rioja’s reservas (wines aged for a minimum of three years with at least one year in oak) and gran reservas (a minimum of five years of aging with at least two years in oak).
This lineup includes Quinta Couselo’s Albariño Rias Baixas Turonia 2022, one of the top scorers, a sleek and minerally white wine with melon, citrus and pink peppercorn. Read on and get our score and tasting note for this wine and eight others!
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Dining and Cooking