Spain’s 25-year Rise

Mark-Paul Gavigan, who is importer Eric Solomon’s man in the midwest for European Cellars, was kind enough to draw our attention to a fascinating timeline recently published in Gourmet Magazine. It traces the introduction of Spanish wines to the U.S. market, starting in 1982, also the year the now well regarded appellation Ribera del Duero was established.

The 25-year ascension of Spain’s top vintners was given a well deserved birthday gift earlier this year when five wines from the country were accorded 100 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. This was a first for premium Spanish wines.

We have particularly enjoyed a lush Garnache from the Campo de Borja region, a 2003 Alto Moncayo (93-Wine Advocate). And high praise was heaped on a powerful Rioja red, the 2001 Bodegas Muga Torre Muga (95-Wine Advocate).

Here’s the timeline:

●’82 Wines from Spain created to promote Spanish wines – DO Ribera Del
Duero established

●’84 Trailblazer Stephen Metzler founds Classical Wines of Spain

●’86 Spain joins the EU; Robert Parker enthusiastically reviews the ’82
Pesquera and Vega Sicilia, bringing new attention to Spanish wine

●’88 DO Rias Baixas is founded, focuses on Albarino varietal

●’89 Modern Priorat is born with the first wine of the Gratallops Five;
DO Bierzo is established; maverick importer Jorge Ordonez founds Fine
Estates of Spain; Eric Solomon opens European Cellars

●’91 Rioja becomes the first DOCa

●’92 Cava toasts the world at the Barcelona Olympics

●’93 Wines of Spain debuts at the Aspen Food & Wine Classic; Alvaro
Palacios introduces L’Ermita

●’94 WFS launches the Great Match Wine & Tapas tastings

●’95 First vintage of Pingus crafted by Peter Sisseck

●’99 Spanish wines begin double digit growth in the US market

●’02 Jerez introduces VOS & VORS Sherry

●’03 New Spanish wine laws take effect; Wine Spectator embraces Spain as
the new wine and food frontier; New York Times Magazine declares Spain
‘the New France’

●’05 First DO Pago established under new Spanish wine laws

●’06 Spain top chef’s take the US by storm at Spain’s 10 Culinary
Institute of America’s Worlds of Flavor

●’07 The Wine Advocate awards five Spanish wines with 100 points