The Wines of This Week's Tasting:
Lighter Spanish Whites and Reds
May 20, 2026
Blanco
2024 Coto de Gomariz ‘Flower and the Bee’ Ribeiro Blanco
From Ribeiro in cool northwestern Galicia, The Flower & The Bee,”is all crisp, light, and bright with beautiful white florals in the nose and forward green apple, nectarine, and pulpy orange fruit character. In the mouth. immediately tasty, it is unabashedly refreshing. and extraordinarily rich and nuanced for its price. Coto de Gmariz winery was the first to feature and does wonders with Ribeiro’s indigenous grape varieties
Aroma: Fresh rather bright forward, mineral, herbal notes; Mouth: Fleshy and forward, intense, nice concentration, good weight and length; Very Good Plus $19.95; Case, $16.99
2024 Alta Alella PB Pansa Blanca
The PB comes from Catalonia from organic Xarel-lo grapes. It’s wonderfully light and crisp with a pristine minerality. Fans of Chablis and Albarino will love its herbal, floral stone.
Aroma: Green apple, pear, white peach, lemon-lime zest, fennel leaf, Mediterranean sea breeze Mouth: Fresh, light bodied, crisp, lively acidity balanced with ripe fruits, crushed stone minerality, underlying salinity gives way to a refreshing finish. Very Good Plus $16.99, Case $14.49
2025 Lasalde Elkartea Txakoli ‘Balea’ Blanca
This distinctive Basque white wine has a slight effervescence, bright acidity and brininess will give you the impression of sea spray coming off the northern Bay of Biscay Serve it well chilled to fully enjoy the wine’s wonderful fruit and floral fragrance.
Aroma: Peaches, nectarines, melon, Meyer-lemon, citrus blossom and a touch of salinity, Mouth: Light, crisp, balanced acidity, touch of salinity, stonefruit, citrus, honey dew and a slight prickle sensation on the finish. Very Good $21, Case $17.99
Tinto
2025 Bodegas y Vinedos Artuke Rioja
Right away you’ll taste that Atuke’s is not your father’s Rioja It’s made fresher andand livelier from empoling the carbonic maceration method of Beaujolais that takes texture and flavors of Tempranillo to a new modern direction .
Aroma: This is an explosion of floral notes and red berries. Full of brightness and purity thanks to the carbonic maceration. Mouth: Juicy flavors of ripe raspberry and red plum, light body with bright acidity and soft tannins. Very Good $19.99, Case $13.59
2023 Alta Alella GX Garnatxa Negra
.A juicy, spicy, fresh balanced red wine that is everything you would want for a cookout. It just wants you to give it half an hour or so in the fridge bto cool it to cellar temperature. Garnatxa is Grenache from its origins a little south of the Pyrenees, another that drinks much better than the price.
Aroma: Red plum, fresh red berry fruit, white pepper, hint of chili spice and a touch of vanilla bean. Mouth: Juicy texture with a slight dry edge, red cherry, wild strawberry, orange peel, Mediterranean herbs, peppercorn, cardamon, medium bodied and a zesty finish. Pairs great with grilled vegetables, steak tips and any spiced rubbed meats coming from the smoker. Very Good Plus $18.99, Case $15.99
2022 Dominio do Bibei ‘Lalama’ Ribeira Sacra
Do you want a more substantial warm-weather red that isn’t too heavy? Try this . In cooler Galicia’s Ribera Sacra this blend of 85% Mencia and 15% other local grapes, offers both rich and savory qualities that give the impression of weight without being heavy.
Aroma: Savory red and blue berry fruit, warm toasted baking spice, peppercorns, campfire and tobacco. Mouth: Complex fruit and spice flavors, medium-bodied, balanced acidity, black plum, dried fig, blueberry, earthy tones, rounded mouthfeel and a smooth finish. Pairs well with any food from your charcoal grill. Very Good-Excellent $34, Case $28.99
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- Len Rothenberg
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