Easy Entertaining
Look no further than the Spanish pantry for most of your holiday entertaining needs. A spread of tinned fish, olives, and potato chips may be all you need, but pintxos, jamón Serrano (or Ibérico for the splurge), and of course, Spanish cheeses will round things out. And if you want to zhugh up your tablescape, we’ve got easy and delicious recipes for that.
Gran Vino de Rueda
All parties start with white wine, so whether you’re going to a party or bringing a gift – or both – Verdejo can be your thing. Perfect for friends who love pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc, Verdejo is a luxury version of both. A great choice is Gran Vino de Rueda, the newest wine category in the Rueda DO and possibly the most special. The grapes come from vines at least 30 years old with a relatively low yield. Fewer grapes equals greater concentration. These wines make great pairings with the rich bites of the season.
Ribera del Duero Cosecha
In some ways, a Cosecha is like Christmas morning – full of surprises. Many Cosecha Tempranillos are on the younger side and meant to be drunk right away but can be priced for the most eager collector. Trying to impress the wine lover in your life, then trust us – there’s a Cosecha for you (and them).
Cellared Wines Speaking of “later,” there’s a whole world of Ribera del Duero and Rueda wines meant to lay down for a while. Reserva and Gran Reserva Tempranillos have already been aged three and five years respectively (and maybe more), so they can be enjoyed right away. The same is true for lees- and oak-aged versions of Rueda Verdejos, they are ready for a long winter’s nap in the cellar.
Clarete
What? A pink wine in winter? You bet. Just like the Tempranillo aka King of Grapes in Ribera del Duero, clarete can be considered the king of rosés and always a good find at any retailer.
Say Cheese
While Spanish cheeses are the obvious go-to for a party featuring the wines of Ribera del Duero and Rueda. For artisan American cheeses pairings, click here. Looking for our favorite wine and cheese pairings, download our cheese pairing guide and read our how-to article here.
Say cheers with the perfect glass to any occasion
If you want to create a truly memorable evening (or be a hero in the gifting department), then think about glassware. There have never been more options than now. Whether you want a glass for a specific varietal or a one-wine-fits-all universal glass, there’s an option for you. Don’t know where to start? Head right here.
