rioja

If you haven't yet ventured into Spanish wines, it's time you start.  Spain has more acres devoted to wine grapes than any other country in the world.  They don't produce as much wine as some other countries because of their obsession with quality.  They don't force plants to produce over their natural limits, and they don't overcrowd their vines.  Spain...

I never can resist a good Rioja. My favorite red wines are dry and smooth but bold, with lots of complex flavors. Riojas nearly always hit the mark for me. Red Rioja is a classic, bold red wine, made mostly from Tempranillo grapes, which lend flavors of plum, dark berries, leather, dry herbs, and a very noticeable (but pleasant) dusty...

While wine purists may roll their eyes at this post, making Sangria has become a popular topic.  Taken for what it is, basically a mixture of wine and fruit, Sangria is often a summertime "gateway beverage" that leads non-wine drinkers to eventually explore the richly-rewarding world of wine.  (Some folks say wine coolers act in a similar way.)  While Sangria...