Greetings, Late notice, small group. Spanish wines at Oddfellows. Oddfellows / Boom 401 E Hennepin Minneapolis, MN 55414 612-378-3188 Yes: (mostly guesses) Bob Bill Betsy Roger Nicolai Karin Russ Cheers, Jim Spanish wines make a splash Tim Teichgraeber Special To The Star Tribune Published August 4, 2005 These are exciting times for Spanish wine. Spanish winemakers are rediscovering the great potential of their own vineyards in regions like Priorat, Bierzo, La Mancha and Jumilla, and American wine drinkers have been quick to appreciate the country's unique regional wines and their modest price tags. According to some industry figures, sales of Spanish wines were up an impressive 24 percent in 2004, despite the weak value of the dollar against the euro. Spanish wines have managed to modernize without becoming homogenized. There are stylish, zesty whites from Rias Baixas and Rueda, and a tremendous variety of regional red wines from Spain's extremely rocky, mineral-rich soils. Those crisp mineral flavors that often appear in Spanish reds distinguish them from most American wines, which generally come from earthier, younger soils. Here are a few suggestions to get you started on your exploration of Spanish wine. . 2004 Martinsancho Verdejo Rueda ($16). Rueda's crisp white wines are dynamite with seafood, but they also often have surprising depth and body to them. This is one of my favorites, with lovely green apple and lemon-lime flavors that are pure, fresh, crisp, but with a richer, melony center that adds a bit of weight. *** 1/2 (Grape Beginnings) . 1996 Marques de Caceres Reserva Rioja ($24). A classically styled reserve wine from a great Rioja vintage with deep blackberry, black cherry, cedar and toast aromas, a plush mouthfeel and cedar, licorice, chocolate and tangy black cherry flavors. It's heavily oaked, but shows the quality of the vintage. *** 1/2 (The Wine Company) . 2003 Guelbenzu "Azul" Ribera del Queiles ($15). A neat blend of cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo and merlot with spicy cherry, pepper and cinnamon aromas and sturdy, tangy cherry, plum, cedar, dried herb and spice flavors that possess a distinct Spanish character. *** (Grape Beginnings) . 2004 Carchelo Monastrell Jumilla ($11). A popular favorite made from old-vine monastrell (also known as mourv�dre) grapes with splashes of merlot, syrah and cabernet for juicy, youthful cherry, plum, anise and dried sage aromas and flavor with hints of limestone and raisin on the finish. *** (Grape Beginnings) Poorly kept secret . 2004 Marques de Caceres Rioja White ($9). Made from 100 percent viura grapes with mellow pear, cream and citrus aromas and flavors. It's not too flashy, but a nice straightforward fresh white for seafood or other light fare. ** 1/2 (The Wine Company) Local distributors Local distributors willing to take calls are listed at the end of each review. They can refer you to retailers who carry these wines. .Grape Beginnings, 952-933-7290 .The Wine Company, 651-487-1212, www.twcwines.com **** Exceptional *** Highly recommended ** Recommended * Satisfactory Tim Teichgraeber, formerly of Minneapolis, is a San Francisco-based wine writer and entertainment attorney. He can be reached online at tim(a)timskyscraper.com. � Copyright 2005 Star Tribune. All rights reserved. ----- End forwarded message ----- -- ------------------------------ * * Dr. James Lee Ellingson, Adjunct Professor jellings(a)me.umn.edu * * University of Minnesota, tel: 651/645-0753 fax 651 XXX XXXX * * Great Lakes Brewing News, 1569 Laurel Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104 *