Unofficial "Spanish Wine Week" Returns to Port

The Wine Armada completed a successful mission exploring the two remaining St. Louis venues hosting Spanish wine tastings, during a week that featured three celebrations of the wines of Spain (here's a link to the first tasting "The New Spain," at the Wine Merchant, Ltd.). "Viva Espana" at Robust Wine Bar was the second target and led us on a journey throughout the entire Iberian peninsula in a relaxed, casual atmosphere with brimming trays of Spanish cheese and cured meats for the crew.

Our congenial master of ceremonies, Stanley Browne, was both knowledgeable and approachable, in launching the first leg of our adventure with the following wines:

2005 Marques de Geilda, Brut Reserva Cava

2009 Vina Mayor, Verdejo - Rueda

2007 Muga White Blend - Rioja

2006 Heredad Ugarte, Crianza - Rioja

2007 Onix Classic - Priorat

2007 Vale do Bomfim - Portugal

The entire line-up was more than up to the task, from the racy Cava, to the other worthy whites from the north. Guns were soon blazing as the reds from Rioja and Priorat peppered our palates with pleasing notes of cherries, vanilla and darker fruit. All was not "quiet on the western front," as a lone Portuguese wine reminded us of just how far our neighbor on the Atlantic has come in producing solid wine with great depth. We loaded up a bottle of La Cana Albarino, from the ample supply Robust offers for purchase, and made our way into the night, plotting our next attack in Maplewood within the next 24 hours.

Saint Louis Cellars was in our sites and we were anxiously anticipating the first in their "STAYcation" series. STL Wine Girl, Angela Ortmann, was the ship's captain and did an outstanding job in navigating the sea of Spanish wine within the posh, high tech meeting room. An enthusiastic crowd, snacking on plates of cheese, olives and other compatible wine pairing partners, was on hand to sample these wines:

2005 Marques de Geilda, Brut Reserva Cava

2008 Botani Muscatel Seco - Malaga

2007 Paco & Lola Albarino - Rias Baixas

2008 Tres Picos Garnacha - Campo de Borja

2008 Wrongo Dongo Monastrell - Jumilla

2007 Cuatro Pasos Mencia - Bierzo

Marques de Geilda once again led the charge, followed by the lively Muscatel from the south and the always refreshing Albarino. One of the Armada's perennial favorites, Tres Picos, began the wave of reds, with Wrongo Dongo setting the bar quite high for the incredible values from Jumilla. Cuatro Pasos was a pleasantly surprising conclusion to our expedition, showing the crew the accessibility in delicious flavors this increasingly popular Spanish grape, Mencia, has developed.

The Wine Armada couldn't resist buying a tetra-pack of Yellow+Blue Spanish Rosado from the very classy Saint Louis Cellars retail area. Keep an eye on the horizon for a future review of this summer sipper, in eco-friendly packaging, at wallet-friendly pricing. Viva Espana, indeed!