Drinking Spanish Wines in the UK

All photos by Robin Goldsmith.

I love tapas – really … totally … absolutely, but with one caveat – they have to be authentic, served in a Spanish bar, preferably in … wait for it … SPAIN, accompanied by a small beer or glass of wine. It all fits together so well – the food, the drink, the people, the language … in other words, the complete atmosphere and above all, it has to be natural, not forced, not a copycat version. Keep it real and I'm happy!

I have a rule when traveling abroad to countries where English is not the first language. If I have a smattering of the local lingo, I refuse to go to a bar or restaurant displaying an English menu, as I know the food won't be authentic and perhaps the wine choice won't be up to scratch either. Friends can vouch for this, but it's stood me in good stead when searching out great food and wine in Spain, Germany, Portugal and other countries.

Having spent some time in Spain in the 1980s, where I acquired my taste for tapas, I only later developed a real appreciation of the country's wines. A pivotal moment came when I attended a tasting given by the late great Spanish wine expert, John Radford. He introduced me and other participants to a grape variety, still unknown to this day to many people around the world and indeed within Spain itself. That grape was Godello – a personal revelation, as it effectively stuck out its tongue at Chardonnay and said "Hey look at me – I can make great wine too and I'm interesting, with my typical apple, stone fruit, honey and mineral characteristics bolstered by a deliciously creamy mouth feel!"

And so it was that when I bought wine in London or went back to Spain, Godello is what I often looked for. I'm now pleased to see more wines made from this indigenous Spanish grape starting to become available in the UK, but it doesn't stop there and you need only look at the more authentic tapas restaurants in London to see this reflected in their wine lists.

There is a New Spain, to quote the title of John Radford's superb book. There are now over 60 regional demarcated wine regions in the country, many new, which have lifted the reputation of and interest in Spanish wine to almost dizzying heights. Regional individuality is key – going beyond renowned areas like Rioja – as is investment in new technology, innovation and modern approaches and ideas to winemaking in general. A huge variety of terroir translates into an enormous diversity of wine styles from light and aromatic to intensely powerful and tannic. Both the big guns and small family wineries are building on this wealth of indigenous and international grapes planted throughout the country. With this in mind, I made a point of visiting the 25th Annual Wines from Spain Trade Fair in London on 20th March. Showcasing wine from around the country, there were also two featured "help yourself" tastings – 'White Wines from Indigenous Grape Varieties' and 'Tempranillo' – both of which gave a glimpse into the gamut of styles available from this European wine mecca. My personal highlights, in order of tasting, are mentioned below:-

Indigenous Whites

Palacios Vinoteca 'Nivarius 2012' DOCa Rioja (RRP £10.44 from Georges Barbier)

- 55% Tempranillo Blanco, 45% Viura

Notes of pear on the nose leading on to melon and a touch of orange on the palate plus good acidity.

Bodegas Fariña 'Colegiata Malvasia Blanco 2013' DO Toro (RRP £8.49 C&D Wines Ltd.)

- 100% Malvasia

Notes of apple, flowers and light honey on the nose leading on to apple, citrus and a touch of honey on the palate.

Pardevalles 'Albarin 2012' DO Tierra de León (RRP £10.99 from Moreno Wines)

- 100% Albarín

The rare Albarín Blanco grape, genetically different from Albariño, is indigenous to the south of León and Asturias. This wine from Pardevalles is aromatic with notes of beeswax and honey on the nose, while the palate shows grapefruit and honey plus good acidity.

Ramon Bilbao Monte Blanco 'Verdejo 2013' DO Rueda (RRP £9.95 from Ellis of Richmond)

- 100% Verdejo

Fresh, clean and crisp on the nose with gentle notes of pineapple, apple and aniseed, while the palate shows hints of lime, nuts and herbs plus minerality.

Marqués de Riscal 'Finca Montico 2012' DO Rueda (RRP £16.75 from Enotria World Wine)

- 100% Verdejo

An elegant nose of pear, pineapple and white flowers with gentle hints of fennel and a touch of butterscotch leading on to a similarly rich and well-structured palate

Finca Viñoa 'Blanco 2012' DO Ribeiro (RRP £13.50 from H2Vin)

- 92% Treixadura, 4% Godello, 2% Albariño, 2% Loureira

Pineapple, stone fruit and cashews on the nose continuing on to the creamy palate.

Santiago Ruiz 2013 DO Rías Biaxas (RRP £14.99 from Stevens Garnier)

- 70% Albariño, 15% Loureira, 10% Treixadura, 5% Godellora

Intensely aromatic with notes of flowers, nuts and honey continuing on to a well-structured, fresh palate with good acidity.

Bodegas Martin Códax 'Roberta Godello 2013' DO Monterrei (RRP £7.99 from Buckingham Schenk)

- 100% Godello

A delicate nose of apple, white flowers and cut grass leading on to a smooth palate of apple, nuts and herbs.

Bodegas Valdesil 'Godello Sobre Lias 2012' DO Valdeorras (RRP £15.99 from Ehrmanns)

- 100% Godello

An aromatic, elegant nose of apple, citrus and yeast notes leading on to a rich, creamy palate of apple, citrus and butterscotch with a mineral finish, a slightly savoury quality and good acidity. I absolutely love this wine.

Tempranillo

Bodegas Pardo Tolosa Vinos de Alborea SL 'Senda de las Rochas 2008' DO Manchuela (Ex Cellar 3.60€)

- 100% Tempranillo

Superb value wine showing notes of blackberries, spice, a touch of wood and smoke plus hints of game.

Pago de la Jaraba '2009' DO La Mancha (Ex Cellar 8€)

- 85% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

An elegant, smooth wine redolent of ripe berry fruit and cherries, smoke and spice with gentle oak notes. The company also makes delicious artisan Manchego cheese and flavourful olive oil with a peppery bite. Their 2012 is described later on.

Casa Mariol 'Ull de Llebre Criança 2010' DO Terra Alta (RRP £10.49 from Top Selection)

- 100% Ull de Llebre

Fresh, herbal and fruity with notes of cherries plus good acidity and tannins.

Faustino 'I Gran Reserva 2001' DOCa Rioja (RRP £18.99 from Cellar Trends)

- 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo

An elegant, classic Rioja style with red fruit, soft vanilla oak notes, well-integrated tannins and minerality. No surprise this was Decanter's No. 1 'Wine of the Year 2013'.

C.V.N.E. 'Contino Reserva 2007' DOCa Rioja (RRP £19.99 from Hatch Mansfield)

- 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 3% Mazuelo, 2% Garnacha Tinta

An aromatic and fruity nose with notes of raspberries and blackberries carrying on to a well-rounded, fruity palate.

Finca Allende 'Allende Tinto 2007' DOCa Rioja (RRP £19.30 from Fields, Morris & Verdin)

- 100% Tempranillo

A beautiful wine from a sometimes difficult vintage showing rich, fruity notes of red and black berries with hints of cedar wood and tobacco. Superb!

Bodegas Terra Vinis 'Cosecha Real Crianza 2010' DO Ribera del Duero (Ex Cellar 3.55€)

- 100% Tinta del País

A concentrated fruity character on the nose and palate, with notes of raspberries, vanilla, spice and good tannins.

Torres 'Celeste Crianza 2010' DO Ribera del Duero (RRP £12.49 from John E Fells & Sons Ltd.)

- 100% Tinto Fino

The first of the wines I tried from this ground-breaking family company, which has been producing wine in Spain since 1870. An intense, fruity and spicy nose leading on to a full-bodied palate of black fruit, ripe tannins and a touch of smoky oak.

Around the room

Juvé y Camps 'Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva 2009' DO Cava (RRP £17.99 from Ehrmanns)

- Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo

With 36-month ageing in bottle prior to release, this is an elegant Cava with grapefruit, toast, nuts and delicate herbal notes.

Juvé y Camps 'Gran Juvé y Camps 2008' DO Cava (from Ehrmanns)

- Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo

Top-quality Cava from this renowned producer, showing notes of tropical fruit, lime, white flowers, honey, buttered toast and nuts.

Bodegas Valdesil 'Pezas da Portela 2011' DO Valdeorras (from Ehrmanns)

- 100% Godello

A superb mineral-fresh Godello with citrus, pineapple and white peach notes opening up on the mid-palate plus a gentle nutty creaminess on the finish.

Torres 'Pazo de Bruxas' DO Rías Baixas (£12.99 from John E Fells & Sons Ltd.)

- 100% Albariño

A distinctive and increasingly popular grape variety, Albariño is known for its aromatic qualities with typical characteristics of stone fruit and citrus. This is a stylish example from Torres, showing floral notes combined with pear, lime and peach.

Torres 'Jean León Chardonnay 2011' DO Penedès (On-trade £15.99 from John E Fells & Sons Ltd.)

- 100% Chardonnay

Stunning Chardonnay from the Jean León label, the legendary winemaker synonymous with the introduction of top-quality single vineyard 'Pago' wines in Spain. Aged on its lees for approximately six months in French oak barrels, the result is elegant and creamy with notes of tropical fruit, nuts and a savoury edge.

Torres 'Milmanda 2011' DO Conca de Barberà (£24.99 from John E Fells & Sons Ltd.)

- 100% Chardonnay

A supremely elegant single-vineyard, intensely aromatic Chardonnay, which exhibits notes of pineapple, stone fruit and nuts with a touch of cream and spice.

Txomin Etxaniz '2012' DO Chacolí de Guetaria-Getariako Txakolina (£15 from Moreno Wines)

- 90% Hondarrabi Zuri, 10% Hondarrabi Beltza

A fine example of a light and fruity Txakolí, a fresh, crisp white wine of typically between 9.5% and 11.5% ABV, made in the Basque Country, with its characteristic gentle spritz and refreshing lemon acidity.

Txomin Etxaniz 'Uydi Late Harvest Txacoli NV' DO Chacolí de Guetaria-Getariako Txakolina (£24.99 from Moreno Wines)

- Hondarrabi Zuri, Hondarrabi Beltza

Some peach on the nose, followed on the tangy and persistent palate by fresh, medium-sweet grapefruit and blood orange.

Bodegas Ochoa SA 'Reserva 2007' DO Navarra (£15.99 from PLB Group)

- 60% Tempranillo, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

A superb, aromatic Navarran wine from a single vineyard, displaying notes of cherries, plums and black pepper spice with elegant tannins and good acidity. A wonderful example of the quality that can be achieved in Rioja's neighbouring region.

Celler d'Encastell 'Marge 2011' DOCa Priorat (£19 from ViVino Wines)

- 60% Garnacha Tinta, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon

Elegant notes of blueberry and spice with a savoury edge and a touch of game.

Pago de la Jaraba '2012' DO La Mancha (Ex Cellar 8€)

- 85% Tempranillo, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Merlot

A youthful, fruity nose of cherries carrying over on to the palate with a touch of coffee on the finish. This wine shows good potential, needing a few more years to become more rounded and integrated.

Bodegas Rodríguez La-Cave 'Barbiana Manzanilla NV' DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry y Manzanilla (RRP £13.49 from Bibendum Wine Ltd.)

- 100% Palomino Fino

Light, dry, fresh and yeasty, this is a fine example of the classic Manzanilla Sherry style.

Bodegas Rodríguez La-Cave 'Goyesco Amontillado NV' DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry y Manzanilla (RRP £11.49 from Bibendum Wine Ltd.)

- 100% Palomino Fino

With over five years under flor and three under oxidation, this is an unusual and elegant sherry between a Manzanilla and an Amontillado, which retains the freshness of the former and the nutty spice of the latter.

Bodegas Alvear 'Pedro Ximénez Solera 1927 Montilla-Moriles NV' DO Montilla-Moriles (RRP £12.99 from Bibendum Wine Ltd.)

- 100% Pedro Ximénez

Rich caramel, molasses, raisins and orange notes in this unctuous sweet wine.

The global relevance of the Spanish wine industry should not be underestimated. According to the drinks business, Spain, which has a larger planted surface of vineyards than any other country, has now become the world's biggest wine producer, showing an increase in volume of 41% in the past year. Moreover, Drinks International reports that the most admired wine brand for 2014 is Torres.

Modern or pioneering companies like Torres, Bodegas Martín Códax and Bodegas Beronia, or traditional yet forward-thinking wineries like Marqués de Riscal, CVNE and Bodegas Faustino have made the world wine map all the more intriguing. They've also added to my immeasurable pleasure of eating at a Spanish restaurant and especially of 'ir de tapas' – the choice of wines to go with my tapas ever more rewarding. íMuchas gracias, señores y señoras. Muchas gracias!