Two Spanish wines from O’Briens this week, both part of its Spanish wine sale .
The Jumilla region is in the southeast of Spain, a few hours east of Alicante. This is the original home of the monastrell grape, known as mourvèdre in France. Some 80 per cent of the vines in Jumilla are monastrell, which tends to produce rich, full-bodied wines, but the red below, a blend of monastrell and garnacha tintorera, is medium-bodied and lighter in alcohol than many of its regional stablemates.
The white wine is a blend of macabeo and airén, two Spanish grape varieties. Macabeo is known as viura in Rioja, where it is highly esteemed. Airén is grown in the centre of Spain and was once the most popular grape variety of all.
O’Briens has more than 90 wines in its Spanish wine sale. In addition to the inexpensive wines below, I would recommend the Alma Godello (€16.99 down to €13.49) the Lagar de Costa Albariño (€21.99 down to €17.59), the Enate Chardonnay (€21.99 down to €17.99) and the Enate Tempranillo Tapas 2024 (€16.99 down to €13.49).
Light, refreshing with rounded pear fruits and a good soft finish. This would make a good aperitif or summer party wine.
Medium-bodied with slightly earthy ripe dark fruits and a smooth finish.