In Spain, no matter if you make screwdrivers, at some point after you have saved some money, the first thing you want to own is a bodega. It is very important to the Spanish soul. Yolanda Garcia, winemaker, Bodegas Valduero.

To the Spanish winemaker a new Golden Age of winemaking has begun. Winemakers have catapulted themselves to new levels of quality while still in love with its bitter sweet past. With new technologies of stainless steel and temperature control, the quality of Spanish wines has been elevated to new heights, while still respecting the flavor and wisdom of the old ways. To many it was just a short 15 years ago that the Spanish at the Bodega would strip off their shoes and pants and hop in a cement vat to make wine.

Spain has the largest amount of land planted to vine in Europe but is only third in production behind France and Italy. The reason for this is the majority of the vines are old vines with very low yields, yet intense flavors. To add to that are the regulations of aging wines in oak which are the longest in all of the wine producing countries.

Some of the top regions for white wines in Spain are Rias Baixas for a crisp Albarino and Ribera del Duero for a refreshing citrus-almond white wine from the Verdejo grape. For reds the main region is in the center of Spain, RIOJA, followed by Ribera del Duero and the new regions of Penedes and Priorat. The best loved and most prized grape in these areas is Tempranillo. Tempranillo is to Spain what Cabernet Sauvignon is to Napa Valley and Sangiovese is to Tuscany. Some of the wines are 100% Tempranillo but many are blended to maximize our enjoyment of the best that Spain has to offer. Modern tastes have changed in Spain; a new appreciation of younger and fresher wines with more pronounced fruit flavors is now the norm. Please join us, particularly for this Saturday's tasting, to explore the many wines of Spain that we carry.

2005 Domaine du Salvard Cheverney, Loire, France. From France's Loire Valley, this wine is made from the Sauvignon Blanc varietal, but is different from the New Zealand and California style SBs. Pale straw yellow with aromas of lemon zest, the wine exhibits rich notes of yellow grapefruit rind, melon, floral and white peaches that are true to this grape. Light-to-medium bodied and balanced with crisp acidity, this 2005 bottling has exceptional focus and precision. The warm 2005 vintage produced ripe, concentrated wines in the Loire, and this one capitalizes on the grace of mother nature. Lovely for summertime drinking. ($13.49)

2002 Bodegas Borsao Crianza, Borja. Bodegas Borsao is known for producing exceptional medium-to-full bodied red wines that show great structure and depth. You may remember its 2005 Tres Picos Garnacha, which we sold out of so quickly earlier this year. This Crianza, which basically is a word used to indicate that the wine has aged for a certain period of time, is a fabulous blend of Tempranillo, Grenache and Cabernet. Intense in the mouth, it's fleshy and well-structured with an ample presence of dark berry fruits, vanilla and an ever pleasing, long aftertaste. ($13.49)

2005 Rudd Sauvignon Blanc, California. Known mostly for its higher end Cabernet Sauvignon, Rudd also produces a divine, extremely small production Sauvignon Blanc that is the only one currently planted on Mount Veeder. There are slightly fewer than 1,800 cases of this Bordeaux-style white, which is a blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc with just a touch of Semillon. It exhibits a crisp minerality along with a hint of figs, melons and grapefruit. It's fresh and lively and best consumed over the next several years. Only several bottles remain, so let us know if you would like a bottle. ($39.49)

2001 Rizz Barbaresco Reserva, Italy. For those who know and collect Barbaresco, Rizzi is one of the largest and most important wine estates in the Barberesco growing area. Deep garnet in color, maturing to a brick shaded orange, Rizzi's memorable Barbaresco displays intense fragrances of violets, roses and raspberries mingling with hints of dark fruit, spices, and vanilla. Full bodied and alluring, over time the power of youth fades to a smooth, complex version of Barbaresco, providing even greater balance and elegance. This is a gem that we think is truly worth having! ($43.99)

1999 Ceretto Asij Barbaresco, Italy. Another divine Barbaresco worth having in your wine collection. The history of Ceretto consists of three generations with more than seventy years of excellence in wine, serving as ambassador of Piedmont and throughout Italy. This single vineyard Barbaresco has good intensity and persistence. It displays lovely aromas of licorice and spices, with hints of red and black berries. Medium-bodied in the mouth, it has fine tannins, a well-balanced taste with good acidity, and a crisp, slightly chewy finish. It's drinking wonderfully now and will continue to age well for the next five years! ($47.99)

Friday, June 29 (5 pm to 8 pm) Italy's Red, White and Rose

Please stop in to see and taste our special Red, White and Rose Italian selections.

Saturday, June 30 (3 pm to 7 pm) Great Spanish Summer Selections

• Pares Balta Cava. Parés Baltà is situated south of Barcelona, in the Penedès region of Catalunya. The winery was founded in the 1930s in an area that has been producing wine since the 1700s. Parès Balta produces red, white, as well as Cava wines. Cava is a term used to indicate sparkling wine. Cava, meaning "Cellar" in Catalan, is made in the same style as Champagne. Exhibiting brilliant straw yellow colors, this Spanish sparkler produces fine bubbles with steady release. Dry and balanced with plenty of fruit, it has magnificent presence in the mouth. Sparklers too are lovely food wines. ($14.99)

• 2002 Bodegas Borsao Crianza. Please see tasting notes above in the Savory Selections area. ($13.49)

email: jessica@thesavorygrape.com

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