Wine with Leslie: The best of Spanish wines and a stunning new whiskey
Pic: Istock
Spain, just mention of the country has me thinking of sunny days, long lunches and longer dinners.
There is no region of Spain that I could not happily live in, and I suspect most Irish people feel the same.
Spanish wine is easily the most reliable and arguably the most exciting wine in your local wine shop.
From the joyous whites of Galicia and Rueda to the elegance of Rioja and Ribera del Duero to the juicy reds of Catalonia and Valencia to the complexities of dry sherry.
The annual ‘Eat Spain Drink Spain’ Festival runs from October 1-19 this year with tastings, wine dinners, tapas trails, interactive workshops, and a programme of events all over Ireland.
I will be hosting a wine and food evening in the Mustard Seed in Limerick on Wednesday, October 9, one of my favourite places.
The cooking in the Mustard Seed is a joy and we have some gorgeous wines to taste.
I will be joined by Sharon Noonan of the ’Best Possible Taste’ Podcast whose local radio show is now ten years old.
The following evening, Thursday, October 10, I will be hosting a similar evening in JP McMahon’s Cava Bodega in Galway, one of Ireland’s very best tapas restaurants.
Further events are being finalised as I write this, so for more information visit foodswinesfromspain.com and click on Upcoming Events.
As you might expect, my wine selections this week are all from Spain and include an old favourite and two wines making their debut.
The Bohórquez Ribero del Duero below is imported by TheAllotment.ie, an excellent online wine shop created by wine industry veteran Chris Gifford.
Chris also has some exclusive wines from the Veneto and from Piedmont’s Giorgio Pelissero, of which more in a couple of weeks.
I’ve featured this brilliant natural wine before but not in 2024. Gonzalo Gonzalo Grijalba farm biodynamically and use whole bunch fermentation, minimal intervention and low sulphur so expect bright primary fruit flavours — black cherries, raspberries and blueberry fruits, and an appealing freshnes. Serve chilled or cool.
I love Treixadura, a grape only really found in Galicia and Portugal. This is a gorgeous example, complex floral and stone fruit aromas, layered and fruity with peach fruits balanced by citrus freshness and good length. Big brother to Pazo Casanova Treixadura (€18) which has similar stockists.
Imported exclusively by TheAllotment.ie, a progressive and rather excellent online store run by the ever wise Chris Gifford. Age has likely softened this a little but it is still ripe and full flavoured with exotic and dark fruit aromas and layers of blackberries and cooked raspberries. Smooth and complex and a proper autumn treat.
Redbreast whiskey has a new expression in the core range. Following the 12, the Lustau, and the stunning 15, there is now an 18-oear-old. As usual, the whiskey is aged in Oloroso and Bourbon casks and now ruby port and cream sherry casks have been added to the mix. Christmas cake and vanilla scents with mint and chocolate touches — smooth palate, honeyed and complex with ginger and pepper touches and a silky dried fruits finish. Delicious.