Eat Spain Drink Spain 2026 began this week and will continue for the next two weeks. A celebration of Spanish food and wine, there will be events in shops, bars and restaurants all over the country. See foodswinesfromspain.com for details.
We are big fans of two Spanish wines in Ireland: albariño from Rías Baixas and Rioja. I have nothing against either of these, but Spain offers a huge range of other wines, from the lightest fine white wines to robust reds, as well as Sherry, one of the world’s great wines.
This week, we feature four wines, all made from Spanish grape varieties, three costing less than €20, and not an albariño or Rioja in sight!
Readers will doubtless be familiar with the devastating fires that hit Spain in August . For a number of wine producers, the fires were a disaster, burning down swathes of old vines, some a century or more old. The loss is irreparable, although the team from top producer Comando G posted that it could have been even worse. Apparently, in some places the vineyards acted as firebreaks, as they have more humidity and are planted further apart.
Medium- to full-bodied with plenty of spicy plum fruits and a lightly tannic finish. Locally, they would drink it alongside roast lamb or pork.
A very seductive, light, refreshing white wine with pear and apple aromas and vivid green fruits. Very good concentration and length. Drink by itself, with nibbles or with lighter fish dishes.
Pinto Wines, Dublin 9; Drinkstore, Dublin 7; Lilith Wines, Dublin 7; Martins, Dublin 3; Mortons, Galway; Mortons, Ranelagh, Dublin 6; 1601, Kinsale, Co Cork; Sweeney’s, Dublin 3
A new arrival to the country. Smooth and lightly textured with luscious peach and pear fruits, lemon zest and a subtle herby note. Try it with richer fish dishes and chicken dishes.
Fresh Stores; McEntee, Kells, Co Meath; Carry Out Mullingar, Co Westmeath, Lunney’s Carry Out, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim
A beautiful, elegant wine with sweet, light red cherry and strawberry fruits, refreshing acidity and a whisper of tannin on the finish. Try lightly chilled with roast chicken.
Blackrock Cellar, Co Dublin; Pinto Wines, Dublin 9; Loose Canon, Dublin 2; Green Man Wines, Dublin 6