Spain

Beautiful juicy and soft Garnacha from a high altitude vineyard in a dynamic Spanish wine region where hand tended bush vines are the norm and elevated hillside sites tend to be 800 to 850 metres above sea level. 

Gentle basket press and stainless steel fermentation give this wine its soft feminine and silky style, shining a new light on Garnacha's great charms and elegance while having higher acidity and tannin structure than is typical to this grape variety. The reason being the high altitude and granite soils, both of which enhance the structure of wines made in this region, which may have cool nights but which is considered hot property right now - learn more about the region, Sierra de Gredos, by trying the wine. 

Fontana Bodegas, who produce this wine, is based in Castilla la Mancha in Central Spain, and the grapes for this cheeky quaffer are sourced from the municipality of Ucl?s. where they grow at a height of 700-900 metres. The winemaking team consists of oenologist Tom?s Buendia and New Zealand based Master of Wine Sam Harrop, and their aim is to produce wines that offer an interesting modern take on local wine traditions, giving both a sense of place and remarkable value.

This is an elegant example of dry Muscat, showing the freshness and balance of high altitude vineyards. Pale, bright yellow, intensely aromatic and expressive on the nose, with aromas reminiscent of lychees, grapefruit and rose petals. Light bodied and very fresh on the palate, with the intense fruit perfectly balanced by the crisp acidity and a dry, mineral finish.

A fabulous Rioja, which is 100% Tempranillo and absolutely incredible marriage of beautiful quality Spanish grapes with outstanding winemaking. 

A stunner. 

New wave Spanish red blend of 60% Tempranillo, 26% Garnacha, 12% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, all lending this wine its deep ruby colour, full body and ripe dark fruit flavours of blackberries, blackcurrant notes and powerful plum flavours, supported by complex notes of oak, spicy aromas and a hint of cedar.

This dry Spanish white is a blend of Chardonnay and Parellada from the Penedès region in northern Spain. It's an interesting dry white blend of the world's most popular white grape, Chardonnay, with one of Spain's least well known whites, Parellada (best known for making cava sparkling wine). It is full bodied with flavours of stone fruit, creamy notes and a fresh zesty finish. 

Al Muvedre is a varietal Monastrell from Alicante created by Telmo Rodr?guez.

The grapes come from old vines in vineyards located in the town of Mon?var in the province of Alicante. The harvest, done by hand, is performed in late October, and goes through a process of fermentation in stainless steel and concrete. The wine is full of purple fruit, black olive tapenade and spice, a rustic, exciting expression of Monastrell.

Marques de Riscal Reserva is an exceptional Rioja made from old vines, planted pre 1970s. A touch of Graciano and Mazuelo (10%) adds complexity and crisp acidity. This is a medium-full bodied red wine with bright red fruit flavours, integrated oak and a long, juicy finish.

Bodega Terras Gauda overlooks the gentle green countryside of Galicia in north west Spain where its vineyards are planted. Terras Gauda uses its own yeasts, selected from its vineyards. These yeasts are unique to the winery and have been patented. This is one of the reasons the TG wines are so consistent because they don?t need to rely on commercial yeasts.

Chill this wine to 12 degrees and break out your best seafood, recommends wine importer Sophie Cotter, who brings this wine into New Zealand. 

Albarino is on trend globally right now and originally comes from north west Spain and the north of Portugal, where makes its fresh, zesty, dry as a bone and super flavoursome taste go particularly well with seafood. This wine comes from Terras Gauda Winery on the Spanish side of the Minho River, which separates Portugal from Spain.This region and its Portuguese counterpart over the border is the original home for the Albarino grape, known in Portugal as Alvarinho.

A traditional Rioja. Full bodied. Rich, red fruit aromas with noticeable oak influence. Very fruit forward on the palate.

Tempranillo is the king and queen of Spanish grape varieties with over 206,000 hectares in that country?s entire vineyard area, making it the most planted red grape variety and the second most overall after the little known white Spanish grape called Airen. 

This tasty and super affordable, dry Spanish red is made from organically certified vineyards in Ucl?s in Castile, Spain, where the vines are grown as part of an integrated ecosystem, along with old oak trees. This region's continental climate provides hot sunny days and cool nights, which provide favourable ripening conditions for the Tempranillo grape. 

The grapes in this wine are harvested in the cool of night and early morning, given a light crush and fermented in stainless steel to preserve fruit freshness. Maceration is typically eight to 10 days and no oak is used in the winemaking, so the fruit is hero in this smooth, medium bodied red. 

The name Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word temprano, which means early. It?s apt. Tempranillo is an early grape to bud in spring and it ripens early in autumn. Along with its big bunches of small, thick skinned grapes and relatively big yields (that?s means it provides a lot of grapes to harvest and make wine from), it?s a successful grape to grow. As for the taste, Tempranillo?s character tends to be soft, smooth, bright and fruity. What?s not to love? There?s

If you're a fan of dry white wine, try this sensational Spanish white from Telmo Rodriguez, one of the country's most revered winemakers for his role in reviving indigenous grapes and giving them a new lease of life with modern winemaking methods. 

This is 80% Verdejo and 20% Viura with dry, crisp, delicious flavours of ripe lemons and oatmeal notes. It's made from organically grown bush vines from vines at 750 metres altitude in Rueda, 90 minutes' drive north west of Madrid, on the fringe of Toro DO. The climate here is continental with hot summers,  cold winters and extreme temperature fluctuations. Rueda is a white wine only appellation and all grapes in this wine were hand picked into small baskets, then cool fermented in stainless steel with no additions - it's natural, but without the marketing noise - aside from a small touch of sulphur at bottling. 

Basa is a not-so-fruity Rueda Verdejo with the Viura in the blend to add zest and length to the wine. 

A gorgeous dry white - a must try.

Barbazul is a Spanish red blend of Tintilla de Rota, Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The nose is complex, with notes of red fruits, fig leaf and a touch of citrus, leading to a  palate that is tasty and fruit forward, with a lively acidity.