Winesday with The Wine Shop – Spain
Dan and Ellen O’Connell at The Wine Shop in Koloa. Photo courtesy of The Wine Shop.
Tasting Kauai is happy to partner with the O’Connells for Winesday with The Wine Shop. Owners Dan and Ellen O’Connell are a delightful couple whose passion for wine is infectious, their knowledge is vast, and their service is friendly. Their beautiful store carries everything from wine and spirits to gourmet foods and sweet treats. Check in with Tasting Kauai every Wednesday to learn about their favorites. ¡Salud!
At our wine tasting last Saturday at The Wine Shop, we focused on party wines that are of good quality and affordable for both hosts and their guests. Spain is a great country to explore for these types of wines. Spain is now the second largest producer of wine in the world, surpassing even Italy. It has more than 50 wine regions and hundreds of native varietals (grapes). Some of the more common varietals are Tempranillo, Granache, Malvasia, Granache Blanc, Monstrell, Tinto Fino, Albariño and Verdejo, to mention a few. Some of the DO regions (Denominacion de Origen) that are most familiar are Rioja, Penedes, Ribera del Duero, Jerez, Rueda and La Mancha.A visionary named Jorge Ordonez has changed the way Spanish winemakers make wine. He insisted on modernization and continuity and this contemporary approach has proven to be a successful recipe, in particular here in the United States. From the dry fruity Albariño to the full-bodied Monstrell with deep color and big fruit characteristics, Spanish wines have become popular for every occasion and can be paired with a variety of cuisines.
Let’s not forget about Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine. It is made in the traditional method as champagne is from France, and costs a third of the price. Much in the same way that champagne is used to celebrate a special event, the Spanish Cava is a great alternative at a perfect price to serve at your next party.
See you at The Wine Shop!
Aloha,
Dano and Ellen O’Connell
The Wine Shop is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. On the first Saturday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m., they host monthly wine tastings. For more information call 808-742-7305 or visit www.thewineshopkauai.com. The shop is located just across the street from the Koloa Post Office.