Blog: James Lawrence tours Penedes and Rioja

Blog: James Lawrence tours Penedes and Rioja

Justin Keay: Tremendous Toro

For most British wine drinkers Spanish wine broadly equates to Rioja - maybe also Navarra and Cava - despite this large country having regions that produce much better wines. For my palate, though there are honorable exceptions, Rioja has become one of the more boring wine regions; production is dominated by large producers making bland "modern" Riojas without those special characteristics that once made Rioja different. Given that Spanish wine - and Rioja - is dominated by one grape, tempranillo, the result not surprisingly is that wines can taste remarkably consistent - and not necessarily in a good way.

Unveiled - New Wave Spanish Wine Awards 2011

A team of judges assembled by Tim Atkin MW, have chosen a list of trophy winners for the New Wave Spanish Wine Awards 2011.

Gonzalez Byass takes on Wirra Wirra

Gonzalez Byass has taken on distribution of the premium Australian McLaren Vale winery, Wirra Wirra.

John Radford: my thoughts on Valencia's new Vino de Pago

With the news that the regional government of Valencia has ratified its first (and Spain's tenth) Vino de Pago - Finca Terrerazo - perhaps it's time to clear up the confusion about what a 'pago' really is.

Spanish producer Vicente Gandia signs deal with Bottle Green

Spanish wine producer, Vicente Gandia, said it has signed a deal with UK wine agency Bottle Green to help drive its wines in the UK off-trade.

Freixenet claims Mia is biggest still wine launch of the year

Freixenet has launched a new mainstream Spanish wine brand aimed at attracting more women to the Spanish wine category.

Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson head line up for Wine Future 2011 in Hong Kong

Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson MW are two of a stellar line up of wine personalities from around the world for WineFuture 2011 which is being held in Hong Kong between November 6-8.

Spain's Bodega Numanthia looks to widen distribution across specialist UK wine trade

Premium Spanish wine producer, Bodega Numanthia, is looking to widen its distribution of Toro region wines across the UK specialist wine trade.

UK Spanish wine trade welcomes new Caballeros

Mariano Garcia Fernandez, of the Mauro Group and Carlos Read, from Moreno Wine have been honoured as Caballeros, for their hard work and dedication to Spanish wine industry.

Le Bouchon Breton best in Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards

Le Bouchon Breton in London's Spitalfields market has been named the best place for a drink whilst out dining in the 2011 Harpers Wine & Spirit Drinking Out Excellence Awards.

Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards shortlist announced

The shortlisted restaurant and bars in this year's Harpers Drinking Out Excellence Awards have been announced.

Kofi Annan to address Spanish wine conference

Baron de Ley-El Coto invests €5m in new white varieties

Spanish wine group Baron de Ley-El Coto has bought Carbonera-Bergasa's 500-hectare estate in Rioja and plans to invest €5m in developing new white varieties approved by regional authorities three years ago.

Campo Viejo ramping up tapas campaign

Spanish wine brand Campo Viejo is ramping up its Viva el vino tapas campaign in the on-trade after the success of last year's marketing push.

González Byass celebrates 175th anniversary with London tasting

González Byass is presenting its entire range of wines, sherries and brandies to celebrate the 175th anniversary since the Spanish wine company's establishment.

Richard Siddle, blog: Viva Espana

It must be pretty special to be in any way Spanish this week. You only had to see the television coverage or pictures from the amazing homecoming the Spanish football team received from the hundreds of thousands of people in Madrid to see what their World Cup victory means to the people of Spain.

Last chance to win Gonzalez Byass trip to Spanish wineries

This is your last chance to win a trip to visit González Byass's Spanish wineries in a competition being run in association with Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Last chance to win Gonzalez Byass trip to Spanish wineries

This is your last chance to win a trip to visit González Byass's Spanish wineries in a competition being run in association with Harpers Wine & Spirit.

Win a trip to Spain with González Byass

González Byass is offering a trip for six independent merchants to visit the Spanish wineries in its portfolio.