The Reign in Spain is certainly not too plain.

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Added: Sun Dec 2nd 9:17am
Posted in: Cuisine

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The phone rings the day before Thanksgiving, and the voice on the other end asked me what I was doing on Monday. Next thing I know, I'm on a plane to California going to a tasting of 15 or so really delicious wines from Spain.
Some of our group had just come back from the country, and had sent in several wines from the various regions there for us to taste. We are, like many now, looking to add some high quality Spanish wines to our portfolio.
10 years ago you could have taped a $20.00 dollar bill on a bottle of Spanish wine in a wine shop and no one would still buy it. WInes there used to be pretty insipid, occasionally good, with a few players making some great wine. And that was the reds...the whites were just not serviceable at all.
Fast forward to today, and Spain is the one of the hottest wine region on Planet earth.
Tremendous value for the dollar, you can find great reds from growing regions like Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Jumilla, Priorat and Penedes, super whites from Rias Baixas and Rueda.
Wines like Tempranillo, Garnacha, Monestrel will rival any Rhone style wines you can buy, and at half the price.
The spicy and flinty Albarinos from the Rias Baixas region and sleek and fruity Verdejos from Rueda are great alternatives to all the 'me too' white wines out there in the market.
What changed? Viticultual practices in the vineyards, investment towards new technology, an influx of great winemakers that saw the potential of growing the correct varieties in the right place ( you grow Pinot in Burgundy, Merlot in St. Emilion, Cabernet in Napa...that's where they thrive...same thing in the regions in Spain....grow what works and it really makes great wine).
Be the first on your block to visit your local wine merchant, peruse the Spanish section and bring a little bit of Spain to share with your friends. While your buddies are spending hard cash for the big name wines, you can come in with a great Spanish Tempranillo or Garnacha, spend half the price and get twice the flavor...which of course, is three times the fun!