Tierra Buena White 2009 - $9.99

(80% Verdejo, 10% Viura, 10% Sauvignon Blanc; Rueda, Spain)

Rueda is in the central part of Spain, northwest of Madrid and southwest of Ribera del Duero. The chalky soils there are conducive to dry, minerally whites; this one shows green apples and lime with a persistence of fruit on the palate that makes it a real head turner. The main grapes grown are Verdejo, Viura (aka Macabeo), and to a lesser extent, Sauvignon Blanc. This adds a bit of confusion since Ruedas often resemble Sauvignon Blancs, especially New Zealand SBs. Verdejo is generally recognized as the second best white wine of Spain after Albariño. Jancis Robinson writes that Verdejo is the Spainish white grape “with the most discernibly aristocratic character.”

Bodegas Santo Cristo Viña Collado White 2009 - $7.99

(100% Macabeo; Campo de Borja, Spain)

Located in Spain’s northeast province of Zaragoza, 200 miles to the west of Barcelona, DO Campo de Borja is physically a continuation of southern Navarra, south of the River Ebro . It is an area rich in winemaking history which, like several other lesser known DO regions in Spain, has weathered serious hardships but is now poised to emerge as a region for quality Spanish wines. The rugged, mountainous area is bordered by the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra del Moncayo, and the vineyard sites that line these are situated between 350 and 700m in altitude. This is a very favourable condition for growing extremely ripe grapes in a dry environment free of rot or pests. Also known as Viura, Macabeo is the main grape in the sparkling Spanish Cavas. Bright pale yellow with greenish hues. Clean, fresh, lemon, citrus fruit aromas. Refreshing fruity wine with lemons, limes, orange blossom and pears, and balanced acidity leaving an agreeable aftertaste.

Bodegas Santo Cristo Viña Collado Rosé 2009 - $7.99

(100% Garnacha; Campo de Borja, Spain)

Produced from concentrated grapes to create a modern, intensely fruity rosado. Full-bodied, easy drinking, fermented in oak with spicy notes. Vibrant in colour with intense raspberry fruit, crisp acidity. Refreshing finish. Robert's favorite rosé this summer.

Bodegas Santo Cristo Viña Collado Red 2009 - $7.99

(100% Garnacha; Campo de Borja, Spain)

Robust and joyful Spanish reds like this are setting the wine world on fire! Garnacha, called Grenache in France, is familiar as the main grape in Cotes-du-Rhone reds. Bodegas Santo Cristo lies in the Campo de Borja wine region halfway between Madrid and Barcelona. This spot is ideal for harvesting fully ripened Garnacha (aka Grenache) grapes. As you might expect, riper fruit makes better wine. Smooth juicy, it shows engaging red berry fruit both in the nose & in the ripe, plump palate. A smashing picnic & BBQ red.

Burgo Viejo Tinto 2008 - $8.99

(85% Tempranillo, 10% Garnacha, 5% Mazuelo; Rioja, Spain)

Six families of farmers founded Bodegas Burgo Viejo in 1987. Burgo Viejo´s main asset has always been the exquisite winemaking process of grapes collected from its own vineyards throughout the years, back to the times when they were just a wine cellar selling in bulk (they started as a cooperative in the 1950’s). Burgo Viejo wines are exported to Japan, China, Denmark, UK, Belgium and the U.S. Very bright, deep and clean violet color; blackberry and licorice aromas in the nose; long-lasting, powerful and smooth taste in mouth.