My sister is vacationing in Spain and just sent me an email asking whether there was any Spanish wine that she should bring back. My initial thought was - No, it’s not worth it to schlep a bottle, or even a case, back from Spain just to save a few dollars over the US price. However, high end Spanish unicorns are not my wheelhouse. Does anyone have any ideas on what really good special wines might be available in Spain that are not available in the US? Type not really relevant. A new experience is worth it even if you don’t like the wine.
Comando G. Not sure if they are any easier to find there.
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I imagine it is easier to find some of the smaller production Raul Perez wines as well. Another producer I enjoy for (modern) Rioja is Roda, which is close to nonexistent in my market. Not sure if that is the same for you, but you could look into their Cirsion or Roda I bottlings in particular.
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Fedellos do Couto, Laura Lorenzo, Callejuela, Pablo Soldavini, Augalevada, Roberto Olivá. Bernabeleva came to mind, but I’m pretty sure those are found in the US.
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Raul Perez isn’t much easier to find in Spain. Our usual sources for our yearly trip said in May of this year that it has become very hard to get his wines.
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Is she asking for you or for her? Ever consider Euro market-only bourbon or scotch?
Heredia rosado or whites easier to find?
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I’d have her bring back a suitcase full of conservas.
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I find them at a store in Miami, but it is a good suggestion… definitely not easy to find.
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Unfortunately no, at least retail, restaurants is another story….but depending where you are in Spain you could find excellent aged Rioja with impeccable provenance at very good prices. Last year, in Haro, I bought 1/2 case of ‘85 Remelluri Gran Reserva, OWC at $60 per bottle.
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My sister in in Madrid. She has been searching for Raul Perez wines since the name popped up here and has had no luck. Any good ideas on a good wine shop in central Madrid that might have something worth bringing back?
Vintaged Sherry.
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Lechazo…
Jay,
Have her try to find reserve bottles of Hacienda Monasterio.
secret that wine berserkers need to know about.
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Agree with Robert on Comando G. WSP shows their Rumbo al Norte available in Spain. There are no US bottles. Whether or not the price is worth it is up to her.
Where in Spain is she?
All that aside, when I go to Spain, what I try to bring back is Turrón de Yema Tostada (though it’s harder to find this time of year), because the ones they export pale in comparison, night and day (though even those are good), with the ones you can get there. Also, cookies/wafers from La Despensa de Palacio which are some of the most amazing on the planet. (EDIT: seems they’re closed for the summer).
Be careful of provenance. The bottle I brought back from Barcelona purchased from a recommended retailer few years ago looked fine but was cooked.
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Not for everyone and no idea what the US gets but I always look out for Els Jelipins when around there. (Last experience was getting a 120EUR bottle at a wine bar in Montpelier during Millesime Bio in early 2020 before COVID hit the fan)
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If you are into sparkling wines:
Vintage Corpinnat sparkling wine (not cava). For example:
- Recaredo 2018 Brut nature
- Huguet de Can Feixes 2014 Reserva 7 anos Brut Nature
- Gramona, III Lustros 2013
The following cava are not really in the typical style of cava, but both are amazing:
- Celler de les Aus, Capsigrany Rosado 2017 (if you only get one bottle, this is my recommendation)
- Parés Baltà, Blanca Cusiné 2012 (aged min. of 6 years)
I’ve brought back aged rioja, things from the 60s that were priced right to take into account bottle variation. Three of 4 were outstanding.
It might be less risky with things like 81 Prado Enea. Give her a list of the good rioja years in the 80s (I forget them or I’d tell you now).
We were in Madrid last month and liked Lavinia. There is also a tasting bar there.