The nomenclature of "Vino de La Tierra" of Spain is roughly analagous to the "Vin de Pays" of France. Vino de la Tierra de Castilla is a large denominación located in central Spain and is noted for its hot, arid plains. But to say the region is just large is, at least, mild understatement - it is 600,000 hectares, that's 1.48 million acres, nearly 6% of the world's vineyards. So, there is a certain economy of scale at work here. Vino de la Tierra de Castilla is, for sure, a reliable source for some of the best value in good honest drinking wines. We've recommended Protocolo Tinto for years now, specifically for its high quality at its low price. Aromas of dark spicy berries and dusty earth; smooth on entry, then gently expansive, with a nice grip of smooth, rounded tannins and warmth and flavor to spare. And, by all means, do take note of the price!

Produced from 100% Tempranillo grapes harvested from bush vines grown at elevations at and just above 2,500 feet in the Peñafiel district of the Ribera del Duero appellation in northwestern Spain. The fruit is fermented in stainless steel, followed by ten months of aging in a combination of French and American oak, then six months in bottle. Bright ruby-red in color; with aromas at once fresh and complex, with not so subtle suggestion of fleshy ripe fruit, dried berries, roasted vineyard floor, sweet vanillin spice and toasted oak; smooth and well balanced on the tongue, medium-bodied with gentle intensity of flavor and polished-round tannins. Delightfully easy-drinking if mildly complex Iberian red at such an affordable price; a great match with bacon-wrapped scallops, artisanal sausage or cured meats, aged cheeses and hearty winter stews.

Produce of 100% Tempranillo from its home turf in Rioja in northern Spain — Riva Rey is the right Rioja for these tight economic times. Lucid garnet red in color; compelling aromas suggesting an arid winegrowing earth, berry, and a subtle toast; supple and welcome on the tongue, rounded at the edges with an appealing warmth and depth of toasty berry flavor that lasts long.

Deep ruby-red. Ripe red berry and cherry aromas are complicated by vanilla, pipe tobacco and potpourri. Fleshy, palate-coating redcurrant and cherry compote flavors deliver solid punch and pick up floral pastille and smoky nuances with air. The long, seamless finish repeats the deep cherry note and leaves dusty minerals and spices behind. This is delicious now but has the depth and balance to age effortlessly. Rated 92. ‑ Josh Raynolds, Steven Tanzer's International Wine Cellar September/October 2011

... 29 months in American oak, the first 10 in new barrels ... a fragrant, enticing, already complex offering that will continue to evolve in the bottle for several more years. Rich, savory, and ripe, this beautifully balanced wine will also have a 30+ year lifespan. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2026. Rated (92-95). ‑ Jay Miller, Robert M. Parker, Jr.'s The Wine Advocate Issue 195, June 2011

Aged 20 years doesn’t really tell the whole story here. Sandeman Royal Corregidor Rare Old Oloroso Sherry is actually based on a solera established in 1894, a prized portion of the legacy and tradition of the House of Sandeman in Jerez de La Frontera. Aromatically intense, Royal Corregidor combines the complexity of old Oloroso with the richness of Pedro Ximenez in splendid balance. Attractive mahogany color; sophisticated aromas that clearly bear close and careful consideration, suggesting a whole range of aromas like roasted nuts, raisined fruit and singed caramel; rich, finely polished, velvety feel in the mouth, just dry with deep and appealing flavors recalling all of its aromatic complexity and stimulating the senses with a long, contemplative finish; for some among us wine-loving souls, this is surely an elixir of almost ethereal proportion.

In centuries gone by, casks of sherry were lashed to ships sailing for the Indies as ballast and were found to develop an extraordinary smoothness and complexity. Lustau has revived this style of sherry in the East India Solera wine. An inspired mingling of aged dry Oloroso with aged sweet Pedro Ximenez. Raisined fruit, candied citrus peel, macerated cherries, caramel and roasted almonds are common descriptors that we might put forward, but somehow there is something left to be described – an ineffable – as if a benevolent form of alchemy were having its way with an already wonderful raw material. Richly textured and flavorful; just sweet; assuages the tongue whilst giving all its wonderful complexity of flavor.