I am starting to like the New World wines that are coming out of Spain. I was never a really big fan of the classic Old World classic Spanish wines but this new crop with their stylish labels are hard to resist.
Plus they are inexpensive.
This one called El Hada is an excelent white from Rueda which is mainly known for its red wines. The winemaker Jose Maria Vegas was a real pioneer in the region, the first to see the great potential for white wines there. He opened his winery in 1988, very new for Spain in Santiuste de San Juan Bautista, Segovia Spain.
I enjoyed this wine with a quick dinner at Uptown 596 in Upper Montclair. It is a great wine for Mediterranean dishes at Jackies, Falafel Hut, or Raymond's to name a few.
El Hada thats sells for around 10.00
Is a very balanced and gentle wine made from "50% Verdejo and 50% Viura. It has bright clear yellow with green touches, with soft herbal and fragrent grassy aromas, clean and precise fresh fruital flavours on the palate." Winemaker
Cucco is a red that sells for $10 to $12
Great with some skirt steak and fresh grilled farmers' market vegetables we ate at home.
Produced in the region of Jumilla located south of Valencia in eastern Spain, "Altos del Cuco is named for the stone shelters that can be found throughout the vineyards in this region.
The “Cuco” act as places of refuge for vineyard workers. They provide warmth in the winter and shade from the beating sun during the summer months. A second label from noted Spanish producer, Casa de la Ermita. Altos del Cuco is produced in the region of Jumilla located south of Valencia in eastern Spain.
This vineyard has limestone rich soil and the soft, rolling hills provide excellent drainage and optimal exposure for the Monastrell, Tempranillo, and Syrah vines. The vineyards are situated high above sea level which helps the grapes survive the warm temperature that easily exceeds 100ºF during the summer." Winemaker This terroir is perfect for making great wines.
Acustic is another red that sells for around $12
The wine critics loved this wine and said:
"Deep red with a bright rim. Compelling, scented bouquet of redcurrant, raspberry, fresh rose and minerals. Juicy red berry flavors pack solid punch but are surprisingly lithe, with good back-end lift and snap. Brisk red berry skin qualities dominate the long, taut finish. I really like this wine's energy."--Josh Raynolds of Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
"The 2006 Acustic is a notable value composed of 55% Samso (Carignan) and 45% Garnacha aged for 10 months in French oak. Dark ruby/purple, it exhibits a fragrant bouquet of cedar, spice box, mineral, and black cherry. This leads to a smooth-textured, elegant, sweetly-fruited wine already revealing considerable complexity. There is some silky tannin lurking in the background which will allow this tasty effort to drink well through 2020."--Jay Miller of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
"Deep cherry colour, powerful aroma, violet edge, warm, with character, sweet spices, mineral, mountain herbs, fruity palate, fine bitterness, mineral."--Penin Guide 90 Points!!!
Forget where I had this wine, but I do remember it was very good.
