June is Spanish Wine Month

From the old in Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Sherry and Penedès to the new in Bierzo, Yecla, Toro and Priorat, there is much to cover.

You can start your education at a free special event on Saturday, June 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Cambie and 39th Signature Store. Attendees will take a virtual tour of Spain through guided wine sampling and sample bites prepared by Vancouver's Café Barcelona.

Throughout the month, a dozen B.C. restaurants will each feature at least three Spanish wines by the glass as a special addition to their regular offerings. In the meantime, you can start your journey today with these six picks.

Celebrate the end of the day or the week with Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava N/V is made in Penedès, just north of Barcelona. Our annual appraisal of this bargain bubble seldom wavers. Fresh floral, nutty, lemon notes greet the nose. The palate is fresh, with a creamy mousse and more dried pears, citrus, apple, nutty honey almond flavours. The finish is dry but elegant and with plenty of flavour. It is a grade "A" sparkler made for appetizers or light meals.

The Castillo de Monséran Viura 2007 lacks the gloss of most New World whites, but it is made for food. From its earthy, menthol, grassy, gooseberry, grapefruit, lime aromas to its fresh, crisp, clean passion fruit palate, there is surprisingly good intensity and length. Best with grilled squid, clams or simple tomato pizzas. Excellent value.

Normally I wouldn't be that interested in a blend of chardonnay and sauvignon blanc. Yet, in the case of Alaris Chardonnay-Sauvignon Blanc (Organic grapes) 2009, it works. Juicy, light and bright with a floral undercurrent, this is the ultimate summer sipper. It's fresh, sophisticated, ethereal, and food-friendly. Best of all, it is organic. Try with light tapas, summer seafood salads and pastas.

Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2007 is another super cheap but tasty monastrell from Yecla. Look for black cherry, pepper, floral, chocolate and savoury notes. The entry is soft and supple, with a pinch of rustic tannins but with good body. Chocolate, peppery, dried herbs, black cherry, fig and licorice root flavours impress. Good fruit and intensity makes this a great value. Believe it or not, the wine is dry-farmed (no irrigation and that keeps yields naturally low) and the vines are 40 to 60 years old. All for $9.50. Can you say barbecue red?

The recent scandal in the Languedoc, where the French shouldn't even be making Pinot Noir, can only help the future of authentic wines like the delicious Luna Beberide Mencia 2007, from Bierzo. Be sure to air this one out for 30 minutes, but then be prepared for a delicious drop of red wine that focuses on minerality, earth and licorice with just a dusting of red fruits. Soft, supple, delicious red wine that is ready for food. An impressive effort that will improve in the bottle for the next three years.

Miguel Torres expanded his empire from Penedès to Priorat with the release of the Torres Salmos Priorat 2006, a Grenache, Syrah and cabernet sauvignon blend. Typically dark and powerful with a black cherry jam, earthy, spicy, smoky, floral nose, the textures are supple with small but grainy tannins. The palate is juicy chocolate, peppery, blackberry jam and black cherry licorice flavours dusted in dried herbs. There is a fine concentration of fruit and freshness in a red that will live another decade in the bottle. Drink with strong dishes of pork or lamb.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava N/V, Penedès, Catalunya, Spain

Price      $16

UPC       033293690009

Score    88/100

Remarks              A grade "A "sparkler made for appetizers or light meals.

Castillo de Monséran Viura 2007, Cariñena, Aragon, Spain

Price      $10

UPC       03378639007125

Score    86/100

Remarks              Excellent value for the curious wine drinker.

Alaris Chardonnay - Sauvignon Blanc (Organic grapes) 2009, Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price      $16

UPC       00843702764234

Score    87/100

Remarks              Organic, fresh sophisticated ethereal and food friendly.

Castaño La Casona Monastrell 2007, Yecla, Valencia and Murcia, Spain

Price      $9.50

UPC       008422443002519

Score    86/100

Remarks              Dry farmed 40 to 60 years old vines for $9.50.

Luna Beberide Mencia 2007, Bierzo, Castilla-Leon, Spain

Price      $17

UPC       8437002954123

Score    88/100

Remarks              Soft supple delicious red wine that is ready for food.

Torres Salmos Priorat 2006, Priorato, Catalunya, Spain

Price      $39

UPC       08410113003416

Score    90/100

Remarks              There is fine concentration of fruit and freshness.