Each week at Vino Gusto, Jake selects 6 of our wines for you at a special case price.
This week on ‘Gusto’s Grand Tour’, we’re taking you to Spain.
6 wines for £60.
2019 Txakoli, Bodega Agerre, Basque Country, Spain
Txakoli – the quaffing wine of San Sebastián. Head to Spain’s mountainous Basque Country and you’ll find the locals swigging this spritzy, zesty wine in all of the coolest pintxos bars. Should you find yourself trapped at home during a global health pandemic with the next flight to Bilbao looking some way off, this wine is the next best thing. Enjoy in a deck chair with a tin of good sardines.
2018 Duquesa de Valladolid, Verdejo, Rueda, Spain
This indigenous variety is the most widely planted grape variety of Spain’s most famous white wine region, Rueda. It’s having a bit of a ‘moment’ as producers are pushing the boundaries of what the wine ‘should be’. This is a great example, demonstrating elevated aromatic intensity of Verdejo, produced in collaboration with our importers.
2019 ‘Ikigall’, Gallina de Piel, Penedès, Spain
Gallina de Piel is an exciting winemaking project from David Seijas, former Head Sommelier at three-Michelin-starred restaurant El Bulli. David works with local growers, selecting the best vineyards and indigenous grape varieties to create wines with an emphasis on elegance and freshness. This wine is certainly that. Delicate and floral but with lip-smacking, lively acidity.
2017 `Hécula`, Monastrell, Familia Castaño, Spain
For generations Bodegas Castaño has been a pioneer in this region and has come to symbolise the best of what southern Spain has to offer: rich, warm climate wines made from grapes grown at altitude, resulting in wines of great character and finesse.
This wine is definitely that – cherry red in colour with rich, elegant aromas of blueberries, raspberries, black pepper and liquorice with a subtle floral touch. On the palate, it is full-bodied with richness and soft, velvety fruit that is integrated with oak notes in this extremely well-balanced wine.
2018 ‘El Circo, Garnacha, Aragon, Spain
Our popular house red in ‘normal times’, this wine is soft, supple and far too drinkable. Intense nose of ripe red fruit such as strawberries and cherries followed by a touch of spice. On the palate, it has smooth, firm tannins with a racy acidity and a very fruity finish. Perfect for ‘solo drinking’…
2016 Rioja Crianza, Bodegas LAN, Spain
This wine has been a Gusto favourite for some years. It is packed full of fruity flavour. Think strawberries and cranberries but with hints of toffee and vanilla through the clever, balanced use of oak. If you’re looking to drink alongside some food, Rioja is a classic pairing for lamb. We suggest smothering a joint in butter and thyme and roasting it on coals, low and slow.
