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Rosado wine; Cava; Vinto tinto; Vino blanco; Sherry - Jerez; Mike's Top Spanish wines; Spanish wine dishes; Cocktails;

SPANISH WINES

The wonderful climate in Spain is an essential element in the creation of some stunning spanish wines. Everyone has heard of Rioja the quintessential Spanish nectar and it well deserves the world wide accolades it has received over the years. If you are a wine enthusiast like me you will certainly savour the powerful aromas of this tasty red wine. However let`s be honest, if you were encouraging a new wine drinker to take an interest, you would not start with a Rioja.

ROSADO WINE - VINO ROSADO

There are much easier drinking wines to enjoy. For instance, there are a multitude of fantastic Rosado wines which are very drinkable but no less serious than the strong reds of Rioja. Try the Marques de Caceres for a fruity wine with syrup like consistency on the tongue, you won`t be disappointed. Another excellent Rosado is the Faustino IV which has a superb pedigree,like so many other spanish wines. For more information, visit our rosado wines page

CAVA

Also do not disregard the sparkling Cava wines of this country. Champagne from France is often brilliant but sometimes well over-priced. Instead try Freixenet from Catalonia, the sparkler in the black bottle. This wine is super tasty and an effervescence and character to rival many champagnes but for a quarter of the price. Another fabulous Cava is the Cordoniu, which is appropriately presented with champagne-like label. These wines would grace any special celebration, trust me. For more information, visit our cava page

RED WINE - VINO TINTO

If you really do enjoy the reds, try a Raimat, a wonderful example of the popular Tempranillo grape. It`s strongish but easy to drink especially with meat. You will not be disappointed. For more information, visit our tinto wines page

WHITE WINE - VINO BLANCO

For white wine lovers look no further than a nice Penedes. This large wine producing area offers a wide range of excellent and drinkable marques. Look out for the hock shaped bottles; I have never had anything less than an impressive experience from one of these. For more information, visit our vino blanco page

SHERRY - JEREZ

No article on wine in Spain would be complete without a mention of sherry. I believe there are quite a few wine lovers who don`t drink much of this fortified wine. It is actually a very different drink to normal wine. However you cannot be but impressed at the popularity and character of many of the sherries from the Jerez region. The soil and climate in the region provide the foundation for this celebrated liquour

Map - see the main Spanish wine regions

MIKE'S TOP WINES - UPDATED WEEKLY!

See our ever-growing list of affordable Top Spanish Wines, sampled and reviewed for you personally by Mike. For culinary lovers, also check out our Spanish Wine dishes page, which details the best dishes to be accompanied by our wine list.

Sherry - Jerez

SPANISH COCKTAILS

NAME	RECIPE	HISTORY	TO SERVE
CUBA LIBRE	1/2 lime juice coke 2 oz Havana Club or other rum	The original Cuba Libre is made with Havana Club rum, as it was invented in Havana, Cuba, around 1900.	Mix the lime juice and coke with ice cubes, add Havana Club and serve in a long glass.
AGUA DE VALENCIA	¼ litre Cava Spanish Champagne ¾ litre Orange juice 50g sugar 1 oz Gin 1 oz Vodka	It was created in 1959 by Constante Gil in the Café Madrid de Valencia, when a group of travellers asked him to serve them a new and inventive drink.	To a glass of orange juice, add a bottle of Cava. Add the vodka and gin. Add sugar to sweeten. Refrigerate to cool. Usually served in a pitcher containing several servings.
CALIMOCHO	50% red wine 50% Cola	Invented in the 1972 Basque festivals by Kalimero and Motxo (called Kalimotxo in its makers` honour) when the wine they had bought was of bad quality and they decided to mix it with something so as not to lose money.	Use a large glass and fill it half of wine and half of coke. Add plenty of straws.
SANGRIA	Red wine Chopped fruit Orange juice Spirit (brandy or triple sec) Lemonade 1 tsp. sugar	A punch which originated in Portugal and Spain. Its name comes from the Spanish word ‘sangre` meaning blood	The strength and taste can vary greatly depending on the spirit and quantity used. Serve in a pitcher with lots of ice.(White wine can be used instead of red to make Sangría Blanca)
MOJITO	1 teaspoon powdered sugar Lime juice (2 ounces) 4 mint leaves 1 sprig of mint 2 oz Havana Club white Rum 2 oz club soda	A traditional Cuban cocktail which became popular in the United States during the late 1980s.	Often bartenders use lime juice instead of lime wedges to save time, but for a crisp flavour, real limes and fresh mint leaves should be used. Serve with ice. Visit La Bodeguita del Medio in Cuba for the true Mojito experience!

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Visit a Spanish vineyard

IN RIOJA

Walk & Wine Spain: Rioja Vineyard Self Drive Holiday Details from PURA AVENTURA

- Enjoy Rioja`s varied scenery, fine wine and delicious food at your own pace.
- Experience the flexibility and freedom of your own vehicle.
- Combine walking, vineyards and culture with fine food and wine.

IN BARCELONA

Cava tour - Barcelona and Spain from barcelonaadventure

- Visit the famous internationally renowned Cava Winery of Cordorniu, located outside Barcelona
- Sample some of the vineyard's best Cavas
- Interactive tour of the vineyard during which the whole process is explained, from the harvesting of the grapes, through fermentation to the actual bottling and tasting

Buy Spanish wine

Laymont and Shaw - Specialist in wines and spirits from Spain and Portugal

Laymont and Shaw have recently been appointed UK distributor for Valdivia, the first sherry bodega to be founded in Jerez so far this century.

Other things to view on our website

Our travel guide of Spain

Paella - Spanish Food