K&L Spain & Portugal Newsletter: Rioja, Cava, Albariño, & More

Having already traveled to both Spain and Portugal this year, I can say with confidence that the quality of wines coming from the Iberian Peninsula has never been better. From world-class collectibles capable of aging for decades to under-the-radar values offering remarkable character for modest prices, there has never been a more exciting time to explore these regions.

Among the bottles that have impressed me most is an extraordinary release of López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Riojas, spanning back to the 1960s and only now being released from the winery’s cellar. Also of note are the elegant Ribera del Duero wines from Dominio de Atauta, our newest direct import partner, deftly balancing power with grace, and the newest Rioja releases from the exceptional Miguel Merino, a producer we have long admired. Across both Spain and Portugal, producers are combining tradition with renewed energy, and the results are simply extraordinary.

— Rachael Ryan, K&L Spain/Portugal Wine Buyer

---

THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS

• The Case for Collecting Spanish Wine: World-Class Quality at a Fraction of the Price


• Introducing Dominio de Atauta: Our Newest Spanish Direct Import


• Bodegas Miguel Merino: “Updated Classic” Rioja from Briones


• Spain for Summer: Albariño, Cava, Txakolina, and Chillable Reds


• The Douro Valley: Beyond Port


• Mark Your Calendars: K&L's Upcoming Tasting Events

For wine collectors seeking exceptional quality and value, Spain remains one of the most compelling—and often overlooked—categories in the fine wine world. While regions such as Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Napa Valley command increasingly high prices, Spain continues to offer world-class wines with remarkable aging potential at just a fraction of the cost, and many of the country's most iconic labels remain undervalued relative to their international peers. Read more On The Trail.

Why Spain remains the smartest buy in fine wine

We just signed a direct import deal with one of the most exciting producers in Ribera del Duero—and it means you get access to pre-Phylloxera old-vine Tempranillo at prices that shouldn't be possible.

Ribera del Duero often sits in the shadow of its more famous neighbor, Rioja, but wineries like Dominio de Atauta are proving why this region deserves far more attention. I’m thrilled to introduce this winery as our newest Spanish partner. The wines are consistently impressive, and our direct relationship means that we’re able to offer the wines at sharp prices, too. Read more On The Trail.

Ancient vines, high elevation, striking value

Rioja has no shortage of excellent producers, but few walk the line between honoring the past and reimagining the future as gracefully as Bodegas Miguel Merino. In recent years, they’ve been turning heads in the staunchly traditional region and are now well-known for their “updated classic” style, as they like to call it. They’re one of the most exciting wineries that we import directly. Read more On The Trail.

A family winery built on tradition and reinvention

When most wine drinkers think of Spain, highly structured and ageworthy reds from Rioja or Ribera del Duero most often come to mind. During the warm days of summer, however, Spain reveals an entirely different side, defined by vibrant whites, serious sparkling wines and chillable reds perfectly suited to afternoons in the sun. From the cool Atlantic coast of Galicia to the Mediterranean-influenced vineyards of Penedès and the hills of Navarra and Aragón, Spain offers an incredible range of wines for warm weather that deliver the authenticity and sense of place that make the country's wines so compelling. Read more On The Trail.

Refreshing summer sippers

The Douro Valley is synonymous with breathtaking ancient terraces—even achieving UNESCO World Heritage status for these incredible old vineyards carved into hillsides overlooking the river—and, of course, the Port wine that is produced here. In recent decades, however, the region has increasingly begun to explore red wine production. While some unfortified wines were always made for local consumption, they were largely overshadowed by Port. The perception lingered that the Douro's indigenous grape varieties, such as Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz (Tempranillo), Tinta Barroca, and Tinto Cão, were primarily suited for Port's powerful, sweet profile. This only began to change in the second half of the 20th century. The Douro appellation for these unfortified wines (separate from the Port appellation) was only formalized in 1998, showing just how new this style of wines is for the historic region. Read more On The Trail.

Wines that need to be on every wine drinker’s radar

Return to Top