Joelle Thomson's Amazing Value Picks: The Spanish mix

It often seems ironic that the hottest, driest wine regions in the world are home to some of the boldest, juiciest, tastiest big reds, but they’re also so darned warm that good quality whites are sorely needed. Enter Spain. In terms of its wine production, this country is best known for delicious smooth reds so it may come as something of a surprise to find the outstanding whites and the certified organic rosé in this week’s column. These wines highlight another side to Spain’s wine industry – a lively, refreshing one that works well for summertime wherever in the world you are. Enjoy. Star Wine - 2016 Lirum Verdejo 17.5/20, 4 stars If you like Sauvignon Blanc, check out Verdejo - one of Spain’s great whites. The name comes from the word ‘verde’, which means green. This grape is thought to have originated in North Africa and spread to Rueda in Spain in about the 11th Century. It is now Spain’s 4th most planted white variety but there are virtually no plantings outside Spain, which may surprise you when sipping this elegant, fresh and refreshing dry white wine. Its flavours are dry, nutty and herbaceous. It’s medium bodied, crisp and refreshing; the ultimate summer white. View here. 2018 Fuego Verdejo 17.5/20, 4 stars It’s a Spanish week and it wouldn’t be replete without the country’s greatest white grape having a presence - and here it is. Verdejo. This grape is indigenous to Spain and grows in a wide range of regions, including La Mancha - Spain’s biggest wine region, south of Madrid and home to this wine. The flavours here are fresh, bright, clean, full bodied, dry and nutty. An outstanding white to drink with seafood, salty snacks and with friends on hot days - its vibrancy shines in every sip. View here. 2018 Casa Safra Verdejo Spain 17/20, 4 stars Here’s a dry Spanish white that’s a tasty partner with pizza, thanks to its fresh lemon zest flavours, which work beautifully well with pizza flavours to counterbalance creamy toppings. This wine is made from the great Verdejo grape – one of Spain’s rock stars of the wine world. Sealed with a screwcap. View here. 2017 Marques de Verdellano Vino Tinto 17/20, 4 stars Utiel Requena is a Spanish wine region in Valencia, which specialises in the Bobal red grape, which is blended here with Tempranillo (Spain’s most planted grape overall). Bobal and Tempranillo may not be the first two grapes to spring to mind but they work wonders together, thanks to one’s rustic fruity charms married to the other’s soft, smooth, spicy flavours. This is a winning smooth red combo – drinks brilliantly well now, especially with summer BBQs. View here. 2017 Reque Vin Bobal Tempranillo 16.5/20, 3.5 stars This is a big, juicy, ripe tasting, full bodied Spanish red blend of Bobal and Tempranillo, which tastes spicy flavours and dry with ripe plum flavours adding a smooth soft appeal. It has lovely balance and is very good value for money. View here. View here. Fuego Rosado Vino de Espana 2017 16.5/20, 3.5 stars We started this week’s column with a rosé - one of the world’s most popular wine styles - so let’s finish on the same pretty pink note. This pale dry rosé is all the rage with its light body and fruity flavours. This is fresh, crisp and a great drink wine to enjoy at lunchtime or as a first wine (or two) of the night. View here. Joelle Thomson is a wine writer, journalist and author. She’s an avid lover of wine and currently writes for Capital magazine, Good magazine, NZ Winegrower, Drinksbiz, and her own site, www.joellethomson.com. She also teaches, works in radio, and more, so we've enlisted her help to sniff out our amazing value wines!