Spain Wine Tasting: A Taste of Iberian Elegance

This month, we embarked on a vibrant Spain wine tasting at Stem Wine Bar. First, we savored six exceptional bottles alongside Chef Dom’s creative small plates. Meanwhile, Paul and Jules brought their signature warmth (Jules’s quick wit always delights), and Brian dazzled with his encyclopedic wine knowledge. To begin the evening, we enjoyed a sparkling Gratien & Meyer Crémant de Loire rosé—a crisp celebration to launch our tasting journey.

A Quick Sip of Spain

Spain’s wine regions reflect diverse climates and ancient roots. Rías Baixas, in Galicia, is cool and Atlantic-influenced, producing zesty Albariño with bracing acidity. Meanwhile, Penedès, near Barcelona, brings fresh bubbliness via Cava from local varieties like Trepat and Garnacha. Priorat DOQ, in Catalonia, is known for its powerful reds from old vines rooted in slate (llicorella). It shares elite status with Rioja, where aging standards create elegant, oak-matured wines like Faustino’s Reserva. Yecla in southeast Spain offers warm-climate Monastrell with Mediterranean intensity, while Jerez gives us Pedro Ximénez—rich, sweet, and perfect for dessert indulgence.

Round 1: Coastal Whites & Cava Rose

La Caña, Rías Baixas 2023, Albariño
Food Pairing: Cana de Cabra goat cheese, caramelized onions with sherry on a baguette

• Smell & Taste: Lime, green apple, grapefruit, nectarine, citrus blossoms, and saline minerality with zingy acidity.
• Winery Note: La Caña is a quality-driven Albariño from Rías Baixas, sourced from old vineyards and dry-farmed on sandy alluvial soils. It’s known for its complexity, juiciness, and food-friendly acidity.
• Pairing Highlight: Moreover, the creamy goat cheese and sherry onions mirrored the wine’s brightness and briny finish.

Los Dos Brut Rose Cava, Penedès NV (Trepat, Monastrell, Garnacha)
Food Pairing: Pulpo a la Gallega—braised octopus with paprika and potatoes

• Smell & Taste: Light strawberry, cherry aromas, rose petal with crisp citrus, balanced by fine bubbles.
• Winery Note: Los Dos Brut Rose is a refreshing Cava blend featuring regional grapes Trepat, Monastrell, and Garnacha, offering an easy-drinking aperitif with bright acidity.
• Pairing Highlight: Additionally, the savory paprika and tender octopus resonated with the wine’s freshness and slight effervescence.

Round 2: Bold Mediterranean Reds

Tosalet, Priorat 2022 (Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon)
Food Pairing: Dátiles con jamón—dates wrapped in Spanish ham with marcona almond & goat cheese

• Smell & Taste: Deep red berries with mineral flint, dark spice, and medium-bodied tannins.
• Winery Note: Tosalet is a modern, innovative Spanish producer that honors local grape traditions while embracing New World winemaking. Sourced from Priorat’s old-vine terraces, they combine native varietals with techniques like cold-soak fermentation and precise temperature control to craft expressive yet polished wines.
• Pairing Highlight: The salty-sweet date/ham combo mirrored the wine’s fruit depth and mineral backbone.

Faustino V “Reserva”, Rioja 2018, Tempranillo
Food Pairing: Carrillada de cerdo—Pedro Ximénez braised pork cheeks with potato purée and caramelized onions

• Smell & Taste: Dark cherry, tobacco, vanilla, smooth tannins, and nuanced oak from aging.
• Winery Note: Faustino V “Reserva” is a classic Rioja produced from Tempranillo aged for 24 months in oak and 12 months in bottle, offering finesse, elegance, and depth.
• Pairing Highlight: The tender pork and sweet onions brought out the wine’s soft fruit and oak complexity.

Round 3: Intense & Luxurious

Bodegas Trenza “La Nymphina”, Yecla 2020, Monastrell
Food Pairing: Albóndigas (meatballs) with mushroom sauce and Idiazábal cheese baguette

• Smell & Taste: Black cherry, cassis, clove, anise, espresso bean, pomegranate, dried sage, toasted oak, dark chocolate..
• Winery Note: Bodegas Trenza embodies family, friendship, and teamwork. Founded by brothers David and Jonas Tofterup alongside partner Jennifer Powell, the team “braids” their shared experiences into every bottle. Their collaborative approach celebrates communal effort and mutual creativity.
• Pairing Highlight: Savory mushroom sauce and cheese echoed the wine’s earthy structure.

Hartley & Gibson, Jerez NV, Pedro Ximénez
Food Pairing: Burnt Basque cheesecake with orange blossom and honeycomb

• Smell & Taste: Luscious raisin and toffee with honey, dried fruit, and a finish both sweet and rich.
• Winery Note: Hartley & Gibson’s Pedro Ximénez (PX) is an unfortified sweet sherry—intensely sweet, unctuous, and perfect for dessert.
• Pairing Highlight: The creamy burntness of the cheesecake matched this wine’s decadent notes beautifully.

Featured Flight Wines

Mas Martinet Bru, Priorat 2021 (Carignan, Garnacha, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon)

• Smell & Taste: Features a succulent core of ripe black fruits like blackberry and black cherry, layered with savory notes of anise, clove, white pepper and fenugreek.
• Winery Note: Sourced mainly from the single Mas Seró vineyard in Priorat’s “Vi de Vila” zone, where slate soils and cooling Garbinada sea breezes contribute to its elegance and drinkability

Rioja Alta Viña Arana Gran Reserva 2016 (Tempranillo, Graciano)

• Smell & Taste: Boasts a complex bouquet of red plum, cherry, red currant, vanillia, licorce, clove, nutmeg, toasted caramel, dried tobacco.
• Winery Note: La Rioja Alta’s flagship Gran Reserva blends high-altitude Tempranillo with 5% Graciano, aged three years in American oak, then aged further in bottle using traditional candle-racking methods—resulting in an elegant, age-worthy wine released after roughly six years

Favorite Bites of the Night

These dishes stole the show:

• Aboveall, the Dátiles con Jamón stole the spotlight. Salty Spanish ham wrapped around sweet dates, with creamy marcona almonds and tangy goat cheese. The harmony of textures and flavors made it an unforgettable starter.
• Carrillada de Cerdo (Pedro Ximénez-braised Pork Cheek) – The slow-braised pork cheek was melt-in-your-mouth tender, resting on velvety potato purée and caramelized onions. Comfort food elevated, this dish paired beautifully with a smooth Rioja.
• Lastly, the Burnt Basque Cheesecake – A glorious finale: rich, caramelized cheesecake topped with orange blossom and honeycomb. Perfect with the luscious Pedro Ximénez, this dessert closed the evening on a truly indulgent note.

Coming Soon: August – Washington & Oregon

Meanwhile, looking ahead to August—we’re heading stateside for a Washington & Oregon wine tasting. Expect crisp Riesling, elegant Pinot Noir, and robust Cabernet from the Pacific Northwest. In addition, keep an eye out for exclusive pairing details and tasting dates as soon as they go live.

📅 Dates: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays throughout August 2025
📍 Location: Stem Wine Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste 516, Marietta, GA 30068
🎟️ Tickets: Available on Eventbrite

Explore More of Our Southern Hemisphere Tastings

Love this Spain journey? Dive into our recent explorations:

• Australia & New Zealand Wine Tasting – six standout wines, chef-crafted pairings, and evocative winery stories from Down Under.
• Chile & Argentina Wine Tasting – a deep dive into bold Malbecs, crisp Sauvignon Blancs, and memorable food pairings from South America.