A number of months ago, I attended a tasting featuring the bulk the wines produced by Elvi Wines, and that are imported into the United States. While not all of these wines are below $30, they all represent extreme value. I love Spanish wine for its old-world feel, and its budget-friendly prices.
Elvi Cava N.V.:
Cava is a sparkling wine from Spain, that is often made in the traditional method, with in-bottle secondary fermentation. Because of this similarity in style to Champagne, the wines often bear more of a resemblance to their French predecessors than Prosecco or other sparklers made throughout the world. This wine features a funky, yet pleasing nose of butter and smoke. The mouth is extremely fresh melon, butterscotch and some minerality. The wine has a fresh feel, but also has some strength to stand up to fish or white meats. This is a nice buy at $18.99.
Score: A-
Vina Encina Tinto 2017:
This is a lower-level red produced by the winery, but is still extremely solid, and one that I buy for during the week or shabbat. It is made of 100% Tempranillo. The nose is nice with notes of red fruit, again some smoke, and some leather. The mouth is a bit one-dimensional, but still well made with nice acid, and gripping tannins. As the wine airs out, some notes of dried strawberry and some black licorice as well. $10.99
Score: B+
Vina Encina Blanco 2015:
This is one of my favorite budget-friendly white wines year after year. The wine is very racy, high acid, and extremely fresh–even three years from vintage. Notes of underripe kiwi, white peaches, and sweet melon abound. The acid is really kicking on this wine, and has a streak of minerality that keeps the wine interesting. This wine really shows better than an average wine at its price would. $10.99
Score: A-
Vina Encina Rosado 2017:
I don’t love this wine. The nose has a bit of sour apple, pear, and some minerals. The mouth is a bit disjointed for me. It starts to go sweet, and start to taste like candy. Not my cup of tea. I would not buy this vintage of this wine. $10.99
Score: C+
Herenza Rioja Crianza 2012:
This is the mid-level Rioja made by the winery (I will be tasting the lower-level version this weekend) and this is an extremely good wine for the price. The wine features smoke, mineral, back fruit, and a strong acid backbone that keeps everything in check. The mouth has ripe plums, earth, fresh tobacco, and leather. The tannins still need some time to settle on this wine and it should be decanted for about an hour if enjoyed now. $25.00
Score: A-
Herenza Rioja Riserva 2010:
I love this wine. The nose features cigar ash, floral notes, plums, and maybe some orange zest as well. The wine is extremely complex. The mouth is all cherry, with earth, strong acidity and pleasing tannin structure. Even though this wine is almost 8 years past vintage it has loads of time in the tank. It can be enjoyed now with aggressive air, but should wait at least another 3-4 more years in the cellar. Even at $62.99, which is a hefty price tag, this wine is a deep value. This wine is a breath of fresh air compared to a lot of other disjointed and poorly made premium wines. I would load up on this if you can. Also, if you can find the 2009 vintage, that one is even better in my view.
Score: A