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Celebrating 90 Years of Haskell’s: A Journey Through History and Community Connections
This year, Haskell’s Wine & Spirits is raising a glass to 90 years of serving the Twin Cities and beyond! From our...
Winemaking for Spain's most prestigious wine regions for red and white wines began almost 2,000 years ago. It’s a wonder anyone would have thought to plant grapes in these regions of extreme temperatures, blisteringly hot summers, bitterly cold winters, rocky terrain and high altitudes. The flag of Castilla y León bears images of castles and lions – symbolic of the expansive region's name, and a sense of purpose and prestige. Given this, it seems unlikely to be home to the most prestigious wine regions in Spain, but a river runs through it, and with that, the key to vibrant vineyards and the stunning wines that come from them. Ribera y Rueda were bestowed the Denominación de Origen (D.O.) status in the 1980’s – a prestigious designation, and the rest, as they say, is history
Ribera del Duero, home to a very distinctive style of Tempranillo called “Tinto Fino”, has raised the region’s wines to international prominence. Over a third of the vines are over 45 years old, leading to complex wines with balanced acidity, dark fruit and sturdy structure. Today, more than 300 wineries call Ribera home, including some of Spain’s most iconic names. Because of that, the bar is high to create exceptional wines with equally exceptional value. Ribera del Duero wines can go head-to-head at a fraction of the price compared to other super-premium wines from world-renowned regions like Napa, Bordeaux, Burgundy and Piedmont. If you're interested in getting a bottle of Ribera del Duero but are unsure what to look for, we can help! Here are three of our favorite Riberas (reds) you should get your hands on:
Visual: Cherry red color and with violet edge
On the Nose: Intense, expressive and fresh
Taste: Balanced, with a persistent but mature tannin, good acidity and pleasant mid-palate, long aftertaste and pleasant memory.
Visual: Vivid, floral red
On the Nose: Forest fruits interwoven with spicy notes
Taste: Red fruits with a light, fresh finish
Visual: Intense color with a bluish rim and a cherry-red core
On the Nose: Powerful concentration of fruit
Taste: Oak, vanilla, and tobacco
Rueda and its signature grape, Verdejo, is all about agriculture. World-class winemakers moved in the 70’s to make the world’s next great white featuring a grape with tremendous potential. Rueda is one of Spain's best-kept secrets - but not for long. It’s no surprise that Verdejo is Spain’s number one-selling white wine. The grape’s many forms of expression – sparkling, clean, crisp, young, aged, oak, unoaked – means it takes what the winemaker intends the wine drinker to experience. It also means that a glass of Verdejo will go with pretty much any type of tapa or other food. Explore a few of our favorites!
Visual: Straw yellow
On the Nose: White fruit, notes of lime and pineapple
Taste: Fresh, elegant, well-balanced Viura and Sauvignon
Visual: Straw yellow with greenish reflections
On the Nose: Aromas of apricot
Taste: Crisp and zesty with lemon and orange flavors
Visual: Pale yellow with bright green hues
On the Nose: Fruity aromas with hints of floral
Taste: Rich and fruity on the pallet. Well balanced with a fresh finish
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