Grapes of Spain

"Grapes of Spain has been importing wines from Spain since 2002 and currently has a portfolio of some 36 producers and 90+ wines from all parts of the country. Located just outside Washington DC, the company is owned and operated by Aurelio Cabestrero who is originally from Madrid. Before becoming an importer, Aurelio worked as a sommelier in Spain’s Café de Oriente and in Washington DC for the Taberna del Alabardero and Marcels restaurants. We have come to know Aurelio over the years as a first-class sommelier and a highly knowledgeable and dynamic importer of Spanish wines.

We recently visited with Aurelio and his long term colleague Andrew Holod to catch up with Grapes of Spain’s top value wines. As Aurelio has often said: “I always search for wines that provide the best value for the money whether at $10 per bottle or $100.” After examining our reviews of the wines in Aurelio’s portfolio, readers will realize if they don’t already that Spanish wines offer tremendous value for money and are authentic expressions of the country’s diverse terroir. Moreover, there are many talented winemakers and Spanish cooperatives producing wines of value and quality. Of note is the unique collaborative venture between Aurelio and Isaac Fernandez, one of Spain’s most acclaimed winemakers.

The wines reviewed below by appellation are only a small portion of Aurelio’s selections, but they are a good representation of the wines currently being produced in Spain today. They are also for the most part priced at $15-$20 per bottle."
Further information about these wines click on the wine names below.

The Wines by Region:

Rias Baixas

Mar de Viñas 2018 - 90 points

Gran Vinum Selección Especial 2018 - 92 points

Nessa 2018 - 90 points

Esencia Divina 2018 - 92 points

Txakoli

Txakoli Malda 2018 - 89 points

Bierzo/Ribeira Sacra

Adras Mencia 2016 - 90 points

Luna Beberide Godello 2017 - 91 points

Finca la Cuesta 2015 - 91 points