As summer draws to a close and we start to cozy up to fall, it’s time to bring out your warm clothes, knit a new scarf or start planning a fall weekend getaway. The onset of cooler weather also makes it the perfect time to get back to exploring wine. Trilogy at Vistancia offers a wine club for members with trips to wineries, wine tasting and other educational opportunities to learn about all facets of wine. In this club, you don’t have to be wine educated, just wine curious.
Exploring Spanish Wines
Autumn, with its gourds, savory spices and hearty stews, is just the right time to enjoy red wine. Some of our favorite red wines come from Spain. Though not as famous for its wines as Italy or France, Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world with 2.9 million acres dedicated to grapes across the country. Spanish wineries grow hundreds of varieties though 80 percent come from 20 grapes including two of our favorites: Tempranillo and Rioja.
The medium-bodied Tempranillo, as known as the noble grape of Spain, often displays notes of vanilla, leather, herbs, plum, and berries. This lovely wine typically grows in two regions: La Rioja in northern Spain just south of the Basque Country and Ribera del Duero which lies along the river Duero in Castilla-Leon. Rioja, with Denominacion de Origen Calificada (D.O.C. Qualified designation of origin), is naturally grown in the region it’s named for, La Rioja as well as in Navarre and the Basque province of Alava. One of the best aspects of this jammy, versatile wine is that it doesn’t need to be aired before drinking.
Pairing
Luckily both the Tempranillo and the Rioja wines are known for being quite food friendly making pairing them much easier. Either of these wines pair well with a variety of food from chicken to a hearty steak or a hard cheese. If you want to stick within the country, one of the most perfect pairings for a Tempranillo or a Rioja is Paella, one of Spain’s most well-known dishes due to both wines ability to stand up well to its many flavors and ingredients.
Share Your Passion for Wine
Exploring wine is always more fun with a crowd. If you enjoy exploring any sort of wine varietal while socializing, creating your own wine club with your friends will be fulfilling. Each month select a different region, choose two wines and invite your friends over for a wine tasting. We’re sure you’ll enjoy entertaining and learn even more about wine.
However you choose to enjoy exploring the wines of Spain we hope you enjoy the beginning of fall. Cheers!