This months Wine School will be split into two parts. First I would like to continue our journey around the world with a quick stop in Spain to visit six wines from six very different regions. Then I would like to offer you six wine suggestions to have with your Thanksgiving Day Feast.

Spain has more land under vine than any other country in the world. Recently they have started concentrating more on quality than quantity. This is why I only selected six wines from Spain, instead of a full case. Spanish wines are just now starting to make their way onto retail shelves.

Spain's wine laws are also in their infancy. We have learned about the AOC from France, and the DOC from Italy. Spain's wine governing body operates much like the other systems and is called the Denominacion de Origen. There are 62 Dos to date in Spain and two regions that have earned the status of DOCa, or Denominacion de Origen Calificada. The two regions are Rioja and Priorat, both of which are represented in this month Wine School selections. The laws are confusing and complex, so rather than tire you out with them please trust our selections and explore Spain's wines with enthusiasm and an open mind.

I will use a consistent legend throughout my selections:

1. GrapeVariety
• ProducerWinery
• FantasyName
• PlaceName
• Vintage
• Price

1. Verdejo 50%, Sauvignon Blanc, Viura (White)
• Bodegas Naia
• "Las Brisas"
• Rueda, Spain
• 2006
• $10.98
• This is Spain's white quaffing wine. We tasted the big sister wine called "Naia" the first week of Wine School which was made from 100% of the Verdejo grape. Las Brisas is the little sister; lighter, crisper, and easier on the wallet. For fans of Sauvignon Blancs this will be a sure winner.

1. Albarino (White)
• Burgans
• Rias Baixas, Spain
• 2006
• $13.95
• I predict that Albarino will be Spain's workhorse white wine. It offers a beautiful floral nose, and a bright fruity taste. For members of the "A.B.C. Movement" (anything but chardonnay) , Albarino offers a crowd pleasing alternative. Albarino is the name of the grape grown in the wet coastal region of Rias Baixas in Northern Spain.

1. Tempranillo (Red)
• Condado de Haza
• Ribera del Duero
• 2003
• $23.95
• Tempranillo is a very interesting wine that can be aggressive when it is young, and then transform into almost Pinot Noir lightness as it ages. The 2003 will drink like a big red California blend or "Meritage" even though it is made from a single grape variety (100% Tempranillo). It will offer dark fruits, but you will also get tobacco, spice and leather in the wine.

1. Tempranillo 70%, Garnacha 20%, Mazuelo y Graciano 10% (Red)
• Bodegas Muga
• Rioja, Spain
• 2003
• $27.95
• In the region of Rioja they typically blend Tempranillo with other grapes to take the edge off, and build even more character in the wine. In addition to the all the character you will get from the fruit, they tend to age the wine in American Oak barrels instead of French Oak barrels that are popular with American wineries. American Oak imparts dill, coconut, and sour cream flavors to wine. Rioja is a festival of flavors in the mouth.

1. Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Red)
• Clos Martinet
• "Martinet Bru"
• Priorat
• 2003
• $29.95
• Priorat boasts some of the oldest vines in Spain, and a handful of the youngest most forward thinking winemakers. The old vines offer concentrated powerful fruit, and the young winemakers harness that to offer cleaner, more new-world styled wines to appeal to the international market. This is a "born-again" wine region that's demand has skyrocketed at lightning speed, followed closely by its' prices. Martinet Bru is the second label to Clos Martinet and offers a window into why the Priorat region is so successful.

1. Monastrell 50%, Syrah 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20% (Red)
• Casa Castillo
• "Las Gravas"
• Jumilla, Spain
• 2001
• $27.95
• Down south in Spain it is hot, and the wines from Jumilla are full bodied and rich. The Monastrell grape is known as Mourvedre in France, which is also blended with Syrah in the Rhone Valley. Casa Castillo adds Cabernet Sauvignon to these two grapes to produce a thick, juicy red blend. This is a nice segue into our next six wines, because it would go nicely with Thanksgiving Dinner, for people who enjoy full bodied reds.

1. Gruner Veltliner (White)
• Nigl
• "Kremser Freiheit"
• Kremstal, Austria
• 2005
• $17.95
• This is our first introduction to the Gruner Veltliner grape since Wine School started. Gruner is a great food friendly wine, which is why I selected one for your Thanksgiving Edition of Wine School. Gruner Veltliner is a round, fat, spicy white wine, even though it is not aged in oak barrels. That is what helps it stand up to food and build on the meals flavors.

1. Gewurztraminer (White)
• Hugel & Fils
• "Hugel"
• Alsace, France
• 2005
• $21.99
• This is what I am drinking with my Turkey to add more spice to my "stuffing". Like the Gruner Veltliner, Gewurztraminer is a spicy, unctuous, white that never sees the inside of an oak barrel. The flavor profile of Gewurztraminer screams Thanksgiving, so try it for yourself!

1. Pinot Noir (Red)
• La Crema
• Sonoma Coast, California
• 2005
• $21.95
• Pinot Noir continues to gain in popularity, so take this opportunity to introduce your family to it over Thanksgiving Dinner. Pinot is light bodied, and fruity, so it will not overpower the white meat, but it is big enough to stand up to the dark meat.

1. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Viognier, Cinsault, Carignane (Red)
• Bonny Doon
• "Le Cigare Volant"
• California
• 2001
• $25.95
• Bonny Doon makes some crazy wines from California. This one is made to emulate a Chateauneuf-du-Pape from the Rhone Valley in Southern France. Dry and spicy, with loads of earthy dried herb flavors. I think this is as hearty and earthy as Thanksgiving Dinner itself. Curl up to the fire with this wine after dinner and read the story on the back of the bottle…ZZZZZZZZ

1. Syrah (Red)
• Paul Jaboulet Aine
• "Les Jalets"
• Crozes Hermitage, Rhone Valley, France
• 2005
• $20.99
• This is actually from the Rhone Valley in France. Made from 100% Syrah grape by Paul Jaboulet Aine, who is one of the best producers in the Rhone. This is a nice introduction to Southern French wines. Impress the family with your knowledge of French wines learned from September's Wine School!

1. Zinfandel (Red)
• Turley
• "Juvenile"
• California
• 2005
• $27.95
• America's indigenous grape with America's indigenous holiday. Wave your flag, celebrate your heritage with your family. The Turley family is one of the pioneering families with the Zinfandel grape. They have taken this wine to international fame, at unprecedented prices. The "Juvenile" is the baby of the family.

Happy Thanksgiving!
From Our Family At Young Equipment Sales To Yours!

All Wines were purchased at Seaholm Wines & Liquors in Huntington. They offer a 5% discount when you buy a full case. Our Wine School case cost $280.17 after discount and taxes this month.

If you would like us to make our Wine School selections from "your" favorite wine store, please e-mail the store information to jake@vinosos.com.