Trio of Spanish Reds Especially Enjoyable During the Fall and Winter Months

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.