Gift Guide 2023: The best Spanish red wines to savor

What do you picture when you hear the word "Spain"? For many, the answer is sunshine, architecture, tapas and, of course, wine. Ah, that wine! And although Spain produces excellent dry whites and fantastic champagnes, the real hero here is the quality of the red wines.

Spanish cuisine:

Iberian ham, red wine, cheese, olives and olive oil. From oaky Riojas to full-bodied Ribera del Duero, fresh Biers and, perhaps best of all, smooth as silk Priorat, Spain's many wine regions offer something for every red wine lover.

Here are the best red wine gifts from Spain to welcome this holiday season:

Clos de l'\''Obac.As one of'' 'The original wineries involved in bringing about the resurrection of Priorat wines in the late 1980s and early 1990s, Clos de l'\'Obac is the epitome of Priorat itself. Power, structure and complexity define this magnificent red wine made from grapes from seven vineyards around the town of Gratallops planted with Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot and Carignan varieties. The more than 50-year-old Carignan and Grenache vines give this wine its unique Priorat characteristics, while the other varieties guarantee its balance of power and finesse. Also not to be missed is the sweet Dolç de l'\''Obac, a delight for the most ardent opponents of sweet wines.
Las Lamas Another founder of the Priorat Renaissance, and arguably one of the' 'The refreshing lightness of the Pancrudo varietal from Gómez Cruzado. The winery was founded in 1886 in the railroad district of Haro, and today's Gómez Cruzado is led by a group of young winemakers dedicated to promoting a lighter, fresher and more modern approach to wine production in Rioja. Unlike its Tempranillo-based neighbors, Pancrudo is made from 100% Garnacha (Grenache) and fermented first in stainless steel barrels, then in French oak barrels and finally in concrete eggs. The result is a wine of bright cherry color with aromas of red berries.
La Florens.Look at the wine regions of Monsant and Priorat on a map, and it seems like one hugs the other. As a result, Monsant is sometimes referred to as the less glamorous 'whites'' 'compared to the rich "yolk" of Priorat. And while Monsantes red wines tend to be lighter, fresher and easier to drink than their full-bodied cousins, the magnificent La Florens is no pushover. Winemaker Josep Grau specializes in organic wines of minimal intervention, such as the magnificent La Florens, which he himself describes as "embodying the personality of a kind, calm, happy, modern man, full of humanity.... who will ask you to close your eyes, stroke you and take you away in a moment of intimacy. "
Corimbo I.Ribera del Duero, located along the banks of the Duero River, is one of Spain's most prestigious wine regions. Its red wines are as good, prestigious and full-bodied as those from Rioja and' 'Priorata.

310 994 $

Spain, Alicante

373 625 $

Spain, Alicante

105

129 581 $

Spain, Costa Blanca

35 634 $

Spain, Langreo

2 200 000 $

USA, LA

218

331 511 $

Spain, Alicante

110

The locals here call Tempranillo "Tinto Fino" or "Tinta del País" because it differs from grapes grown in other regions of Spain: its berries are smaller, with thicker skins, darker color and medium acidity, resulting in more complex wines. One such example is the exquisite Corimbo I, with its rounded tannins and notes of black currant, oak and light vanilla. It goes perfectly with red meat, game and grilled meats.

Perpetual.Made from a classic blend of Garnacha (Grenache) and Carignan, Perpetual is a wine made by time and terrain. The vines, which range from 80 to 100 years old, grow on steep, rocky slopes. The grapes,' 'French oak barrels for 16 months. It has a deep, vibrant red color and intense aroma with perfectly matched, elegant oak. Roda I is fruity on the palate with lively tannins. It blends perfectly with long aging.

Finca Dofí.Even though Alvaro Palacios makes some pretty excellent wines in Rioja and Bierzo, it is his line of Priorat wines that has received the most international recognition. Although he comes from a long line of Rioja winemakers, it was in Priorat that Palacios, along with René Barbier and other founders of the region, earned his fame. His first wine was Clos Dofí (later renamed Finca Dofí), followed by a series of collaborators, including the more affordable Les Terrasses and the ultra-rich L'\''Ermita. However,' 'If you're looking for a wine that's relatively affordable and guaranteed to wow even the most seasoned connoisseurs, this is it.

Viña ArdanzaYou'll be hard pressed to find a better wine than this at a similar price point. Affordable and ready to drink immediately after purchase, Viña Ardanza also always receives top marks from various international wine rating systems. Its intense garnet color and soft, rounded tannin make it delicately spicy with notes of balsamic licorice, cloves, nutmeg and black pepper, with subtle hints of ripe red fruit and raspberry jam. It pairs particularly well with barbecue, red meats and stews, specialty or smoked cheeses and even chocolate desserts with frosting.

Bastard Negre.Although' 'To an English-speaking person the name of this wine may seem overly obscene, it is actually named after the rare Catalan grape variety from which it is made. This variety was discovered by leading Catalan natural winemaker Pepe Raventos on his property at Les Terrases del Serral vineyard in Penedès and was originally thought to be Monasterell until DNA analysis confirmed its unique identity. Like all of Pepe Raventos' wines, Bastard Negre is created according to biodynamic and organic principles and it is made with minimal intervention. It is fresh on the nose, spicy in the fall, with notes of balsamic vinegar, spice and black fruit.