This was the 15th annual [1] Great Match; Wine and Tapas, which previewed more than 250 wines Spanish wines, representing large variety of Spain’s 67 denominations (DO). This tasting was exclusively open to food/wine professionals and to the press, giving them a first-hand look at the latest wines from Spain. This event was extremely well organized and I already look forward to next year’s event.

As you can imagine, I did not sample all of the 250 wines. I narrowed my selection to about 100 wines, which were either recommended to me by my peers or which I had read reviews about.
From the moment I started the tasting till the time I left to attend another tasting ([2] Moet & Chandon at the all new [3] Trump International Hotel & Tower, Las Vegas), almost 5 hours had passed. It gave me plenty of time to talk with the Spanish wine representatives and winemakers.

Now let’s talk about wine: I will not go in detailed analysis of the wines I tasted as it would take days for me to do so; however you are welcome to contact me should you wish to know about a particular wine. Instead, I am categorizing them into wine types, my personal favorites in NO PARTICULAR ORDER. All wines listed are wine I am considering to buy for my personal consumption and will recommend to my clients. There will also be a section called “Funky Aromas” which will feature a list of wines with very “different/unique” aromas.

The MSRP below was provided to me at the tasting by [4] Great Match.

[5] Cava (sparkling):
Mont Ferrant, Blanes Nature, 2003, Do Cava, MSRP $19.99

White Wines: (Albarino wines are to be drunk young or they will lose their appeal. 2-3 years at most.)

- Terra Firme, 2007, DO [6] Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00
- Albarino Santiago Roma, 2006, DO [6] Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00 (note: Unique style; handpicked, grapes are cryo freezed to delay fermentation process, malolactic fermentation cut at 70% via temp. control, ages 3 month on its lees and finishes the fermentation process once bottled. No Oak.)
- Paco y Lola, 2007, DO [6] Rias Baixas, 100% Albarino, MSRP: $55.00 (note: Most refreshing, crisp and well rounded Albarino I ever had. Only 30% of the best harvested grapes are used to make this wine. Plenty of floral aromas, good acidity and no oak. Can’t wait to have this wine again with Asian Cuisine or just to sip on my patio.)

Rose Wine:

- Gran Feudo Rosado, 2007, Bodefas Julian Chivite, [9] Navarra, Grenache, MSRP: $19.00

Red Wines:

- Montecastro y La Planeta 2002, DO [10] Ribera del Duero, 100% Tinto Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP: $55.00
- Pasanau Finca La Planeta 2002, DOCa, [11] Priorat, 80% Cab. Sauvignon, 20% Grenache, MSRP: $60.00
- Finca Antigua Crianza, 2004, DO [12] La Mancha, Tempranillo Blend, MSRP: $15.00
- Mascun, 2005, Bodegas Osca, DO [13] Somontano, 100% Syrah, MSRP: $25.00
- Matamangos, 2003, Agricolas Santa Rosa, DO [14] Almansa, Blend of Garnache/Monastrell, MSRP: $29.00
- Fra Guerau, 2003, DO [15] Montsant, Grenache/Syrah, MSRP: $15.00
- Rento, 2003, Grupo Matarromera, DO [10] Ribera del Duero, Tinto Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP: $75.00
- Val de los Frailes, 2003, DO [17] Cigales, Fino (local Tempranillo), MSRP $70.00
- Campo Viejo Reserva, 2005, Juan Alcorta, DO [18] Rioja, 75% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Mazuelo (Carignan) MSRP: $12.99
- Ysios, 2001, DO [18] Rioja, Tempranillo, MSRP; $29.99
- Navarro Lopez Old Vines Crianza, 2002, DO [20] Valdepenas, Tempranillo, MSRP: $12.99
- Rentas de Fincas, 2003, DO [18] Rioja, Tempranillo, MSRP : $14.00
- Earth 2.0, 2003, DO [9] Navarra, 50% temp. 50% Merlot, MSRP : $21.00

Dessert Wines:

- Seleccion Especial, Jorge Ordonez, 2005, DO [23] Malaga, (Muscatel), MSRP: 20.00
- Don PX Gran Reserva 1979, Bodegas Toro Albala, DO [24] Montilla-Moriles, [25] Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: $60.00
- Sandeman, Character Medium Dry Amontillado, DO [26] Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino Fino and a hint of Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: 19.00
- Lustau Peninsula Palo Cortado, Emilio Lustau, DO [26] Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino Fino, MSRP: 21.00
- Sandeman, Royal Esmeralda Amontillado VOS Sherry, DO [26] Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Palomino, MSRP: 22.00
- Donecq Venerable, Vintage 30 years, DO [26] Jerez-Xeres-Sherry, Pedro Ximenez, MSRP: 45.00

Funky Aromas:

- Protos Verdejo 2007, DO [30] Rueda (white), MSRP: $12.00 has not only floral aromas as expected but some funky arm pit like aromas too, making this wine my funky pick of the tastings.
- Don Olegario Albarino 2005 (white), DO [6] Rias Baixas, MSRP: $22.00 has a chimney like taste/aromas all over it. Similar to what you find in a Haut Brion blanc, even though the wine characteristics are completely different. Worth the experience.

Looking to build up your wine collection or to start one? Most Spanish Red wines, especially Sherries age very well. I recommend that you slowly start stocking up on a few cases of Spanish wines before they become more popular, hence more expensive.

Cheers!