Throughout Spain, Tempranillo thrives, displaying regional characteristics that define its sense of place, while maintaining a uniform style. Bodega Volver Finca Los Juncares vineyard was planted originally in 1957 in DO La Mancha, almost in the center of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain’s Meseta, or the expansive plain that covers most of the middle portion of the country. With over 3000 hours of sunlight, and very little rainfall a year, the fruit becomes highly concentrated and low yielding, The result, a Tempranillo wine with dense earthiness, black cherry, licorice, and toasted spice, enhanced by 14 months of aging in new and second-year French oak. For the quality of this special wine, the price can’t be beaten, you can find Bodega Volver single vineyard “Finca Los Juncares” Tempranillo for around $15.

We paired this with classic Manchego cheese, Spain’s famous sheeps’ milk cheese that comes from Manchega sheep grown in La Mancha, and a traditional dish of the region, Pisto Manchego…similar to a French ratatouille but with lots of paprika and topped with a poached egg. The perfect pairing, recipe to come shortly.