equivilant spanish wine to shiraz / merlot types?

T

tessietwo

New member
Joined
Sep 11, 2008
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Don't have much experience of "decent" tasting Spanish wine.... am trying to find an equivalent to the shiraz / merlot types and any advice would be appreciated.

My particular favourite is an australian shiraz: camden park reserve - brilliant!

Have tried many riojas, including the famous Faustino gran Reserve 1 - but it did not do it for me!

Am not an "expert" in any shape or form and so do not know what to opt for. Have been so far disappointed with the cheap / average "plonk" and when opting for something that looks a little better (and costs more) have not been successful either!

Thanks in advance for any tips!
 
I think the Tempranillo would be the closest. In the regions of La Rioja and Ribero del Duero a Tempranillo is known as "Tinto del Pais".
If you want a great wine then I suggest a Ribera Del Duero from the Bodega Fuentenarro. They had an award winning wine in 2002. I managed to buy two bottles recently and it was superb. However, I live in Spain and wine here is much cheaper than anywhere else.
Wine is a personal taste. A great wine is the wine YOU like best.

Many people here in Spain like a La Rioja called El Coto. It's about a good an everyday wine you can buy. Most Spaniards will not pay more than 2€ for a bottle of wine. Because of that, wine is very reasonable here.
 
If you are talking about bigger bolder fruit and softer tannins go with a Priorat. These wines will cost you, and are a bit less traditional (have non spanish grapes like Merlot in them) but NEVER let me down.

Also Ribera del Duero has some killer fruit from a hot flat region of central spain (similar in climate to Barossa Valley that made Australian Shiaz so famous). Both these regions are gaining in popularity and will cost you. Rioja has some less expensive and easier to find offerings, but are more old world, high acid style. Try the Reserva or Grand Reserva, which are barrel aged for 3 and 5 years (respectively) and are a little softer and more nuanced, but not Vanilla oaky like many American and Australian wines.

For more check out
http://tv.winelibrary.com
 
Back
Top