If you’ve yet to try any wines from Spain I encourage you to do so. Most of Spain’s vineyards are located in the country’s warmer regions, meaning the wines produced there are generally big, bold and flavorful. These wines beg to be paired with food, but they’re also extremely enjoyable when served on their own.

And don’t be fooled into thinking that good Spanish wines are limited to a handful of reds. The range of styles and variety of Spanish wines is surprisingly diverse, with something certain to please even the most finicky wine drinker.

For instance, the Lagar do Castelo 2007 Albariño (about $14) is a well-priced white wine that blew me away with its flavors and complexity. The intoxicating aroma suggests fresh nectarine, with a combination of stone fruit, citrus and savory flavors that lead to a dry, yet lingering finish.

Also noteworthy is the Agustí Torelló Mata 2005 Brut Reserva (about $19), another great example of Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain. Extremely fine bubbles lift the aromas of baked apple and toast from the glass, while the wine displays a clean, mineral taste with traces of melon and a bone-dry finish. Ideal as an aperitif or with shellfish.

A couple of red wine recommendations include the Pinuaga 2006 Tempranillo (about $15) from the Castilla region of Spain. With a lovely floral nose, slightly smoky notes and firm tannins, this wine will pair well with tomato-based sauces or paella.

And the Solpost 2005 Montsant (about $24) is a huge, yet elegant blend of Grenache, Carignan, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Flavors of berry, plum and dried fruit predominate, with black pepper and a touch of oak on the finish.

Look for these wines at the Fairhaven Market Haggen, or ask for them by name in the wine section of your favorite grocer and they can be special ordered for you.

2008 Santa Rita 120 (about $8): Santa Rita does it again! This amazing Chilean white wine will leave you wanting more. All the classic components are here…lovely aroma, ample citrus and melon flavors and a sassy splash of acidity. Serve it chilled with a side of raw oysters, light seafood, or pasta with heavy cream sauce.

Rotllan Torra 2001 Reserva (about $35): An incredible red wine from Spain. It begins with a beautiful, dark color and aromas of chocolate and cocoa. The flavors are rich and concentrated, with a burst of chocolate hitting you up front followed by a dry finish of black cherry and dark currant. This might best be described as biting into a chocolate-covered cherry…without the sugar.

Available in Bellingham, Washington at the Temple Bar, located at 306 West Champion Street. Price listed is for the 750 ml bottle, but it’s also available by the glass for $9. An outstanding, must-try wine!

Opening a bottle of Spanish wine is sometimes a bit like being Forrest Gump with a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to find inside.

But if you’re hesitant about giving wines from Spain a try let me assure you that there are some exceptional choices available locally. Spanish wines also come in a myriad of flavors and styles and there’s the potential for much greater variety than what you might find among domestic wines. To put thing in perspective – Spain is home to almost 150 wine producing grape varietals while in Washington State the bulk of our wine production comes from less than 30.

Cava, the sparkling wine of Spain, makes a great choice to serve when guests arrive. Try the Augusti Torello Aliguer Cava Brut Vintage 2004 (pictured at left, about $12) for starters. Made primarily from the macabeo grape and two other white varietals, it’s slightly yeasty with hints of apple and citrus and a crisp, bone-dry finish.

For another refreshing change of pace, the Lagar de Castelo 2006 Albariño (about $14) is an incredible white wine. It has a gentle floral aroma, beautiful honeydew melon and lime flavors, well-balanced acidity and a bit of herbaceousness. Serve it well chilled with salads, seafood or shellfish.

The Casa de Illana 2006 Tradición (about $12) is both an outstanding red wine and an outstanding value. This blend of bobal, tempranillo and syrah is loaded with cherry and berry flavors, followed by touches of licorice and sweet oak. Although it’s a fairly big wine with good structure, the fruit component and softness on the finish really shine through.

You’ll find these wines at local wine shops and grocers, and if not in stock they can be special ordered for you.

Lately I’ve been drinking some really nice Spanish red wines. These wines are especially enjoyable during the fall and winter months because they can be served with hearty, seasonal foods such as beef stew or a pot of cheese fondue accompanied by a variety of breads and meats. They can also be enjoyed by the glass in front of a warm fire on a lazy weekend afternoon.

Although Spain arguably makes some of the best tempranillo in the world, it also produces several other tasty red wine varietals more common to Americans. Here are a few Spanish red wines that deserve your attention:

2003 Casa De Illana Tres de Cinco (about $14) – This blend of syrah, merlot and cabernet sauvignon has an inviting aroma of fresh berries followed by flavors of black cherry and dark chocolate with a long, silky finish. I think it’s an incredible value for a wine of this complexity and taste.

2004 Aljibes (about $18) – Tasted blind, I would have guessed that this was a French Bordeaux – and this blend of 45 percent cabernet, 30 percent merlot and 25 percent cabernet franc could easily pass as one. Nice, understated dark fruit flavors are capped by a touch of toasted oak and soft tannins.

2004 Solpost (about $23) – Here’s another blend with the more traditional Spanish grapes of garnacha and carignan topped with a bit of cabernet. Made from 50 to 60 year old vines, this powerful but elegant wine has a floral nose, plush plum flavors and a finish of oak and spice.

These wines can be either purchased or ordered through Bellingham-area Haggen stores, Gateway Wines, Purple Smile Wines, and the Community Food Co-Op.