The Manzanos Wines Journal
Stories of wine, passion, and craftsmanship from around the world, by the team behind a Spanish wine importer serving all 50 states.
How to Read a Spanish Wine Label: 4 Colors and 12 Words
Green, red, garnet or blue: the seal on the back of a Rioja tells you how long it aged. Decode any Spanish wine label in under a minute.
7 Spanish Wine and Cheese Pairings for Your Fall Board (2026)
Americans eat 41.9 lbs of cheese a year, and fall is board season. Seven Spanish matches, from aged Manchego with 93-pt Rioja to smoky Idiazábal with Garnacha.
Spanish Wine for Thanksgiving 2026: 7 Pairings for Every Course
Pinot Noir isn't the only Thanksgiving answer. Seven Spanish wines, from Cava to a 95-point Rioja Gran Reserva, matched course by course for November 26.
Spain's 2026 Harvest Came Early: 6 Things US Wine Buyers Should Know
Rioja started picking on August 6, one of its earliest harvests ever, and 2026 is its first vintage with lower-alcohol rules. Here is what it means for your glass.
Beyond Tempranillo: Rioja's 4 Other Red Grapes, Decoded for 2026
Rioja is legally allowed five red grapes. Almost every American wine list pours exactly one. Meet the other four, and the one that handles hot vintages best.
Tempranillo 101: What Spain's Signature Red Actually Tastes Like
Spain picks it early, and that one habit explains the whole wine. What Tempranillo tastes like, what to eat with it, and the serving temperature most people get wrong.
5 Spanish White Wines That Deserve a Glass Pour in 2026
Rioja plants nearly nine rows of red for every row of white. That lopsided ratio is exactly why Spain's whites are the smartest pour on a 2026 list.
Navarra Rosado: Spain's Original Rosé and Late Summer's Smartest Pour
Before Provence went pink, Navarra was already mastering rosado. Here's why Spain's original 100% Garnacha rosé is late summer's smartest, best-value pour.
The 4 Levels of Rioja: Crianza to Gran Reserva Explained
One word on the back label decides if a Rioja costs $12 or $60. Learn to read Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva like a pro buyer.
Why Rioja Is 2026's Smartest-Value Red for US Wine Lists
Spanish wine volumes are down in the US, yet export value jumped 8.4% to $3.43B. Here is why buyers who read the numbers are quietly loading up on Rioja.
Rioja's 2026 Moment: 5 Reasons America Is Trading Up to Spanish Reds
Americans are buying fewer bottles but spending more in 2026. Here's why Rioja's guaranteed aging makes it the smartest trade-up red on any US wine list.
Rioja Sales Fell 7.6% in the US. Gran Reserva Grew 16%.
Rioja shipments to the US dropped 7.6% — but Gran Reserva sales climbed 16%. The appellation isn't shrinking. It's consolidating at the top.
Drink Less, Drink Better: 7 Spanish Reds Winning US Wine Lists in 2026
Spanish wine exports to the US slipped 7% last year — yet Rioja is quietly becoming 2026's smartest-value red. Here's what US buyers are pouring instead.
Why Rioja Belongs on Every US Wine List in 2026
U.S. wine volumes are flat in 2026, but value is rising 2-4%. Here's why Rioja's aging tiers and 95-point credentials make it the smartest red on any list.
The Rioja Renaissance & Navarra's Garnacha Revival: Why Northern Spain Belongs on Your 2026 Wine List
Spain's Rioja is in full renaissance and Navarra's old-vine Garnacha is having its moment. Here's how buyers can build a northern-Spain list in 2026.
The Rioja Renaissance of 2026: Why Spain's Classic Region Belongs on Every American Wine List
Rioja and Navarra are in full renaissance in 2026. Here's why sommeliers and buyers are leaning into old-vine Tempranillo, Garnacha, and aged Reservas from Spain.
The Rioja Renaissance of 2026: Why Spain's Classic Reds Belong on Every American Wine List
Rioja and Navarra are in full renaissance in 2026 — old-vine Tempranillo and award-winning Reservas delivering unbeatable value for U.S. restaurants and retailers.
Decoding the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Rioja Vintages: A Buyer's Guide for the 2026 Wine List
How the new Rioja vintages stack up for sommeliers and retailers in 2026 — what to pour now, what to cellar, and where Manzanos Wines USA fits on your by-the-glass list.
Rioja's 2026 Renaissance: Why Spanish Wine Belongs on Every American Wine List
Rioja and Navarra are in full renaissance in 2026 — old-vine blends, fresh terroir, and award-winning value. Here is why Spanish wine wins by the glass.
The Quiet Rise of Rioja Blanco: Why Viura Belongs on Your Wine List in 2026
Rioja Blanco is having its moment in the US. Here is why sommeliers and retailers should make room for Viura, Tempranillo Blanco, and Garnacha Blanca on 2026 wine lists.
Why Navarra Rosado Is Spring 2026's Smartest Wine List Addition
Long before Provence colonized the rose category, Navarra was bleeding Garnacha into pink. Here is why American sommeliers and buyers should revisit it in 2026.
Why Rioja Still Sets the Standard: Inside Spain's Most Trusted Wine Region for 2026
From Tempranillo's elegance to oak-aged Reservas, Rioja remains the benchmark for Spanish wine excellence and the most reliable category for US wine programs.
The Rioja Renaissance: Why American Restaurants Are Falling in Love with Spain's Greatest Wine Region in 2026
Rioja is experiencing a 2026 renaissance. Discover award-winning Manzanos, Berceo, Siglo & Las Campanas wines — and why US sommeliers are turning to Spain.
The Rioja Renaissance: Spain's Most Iconic Wine Region Redefines Itself for 2026
Spain's Rioja is in full renaissance in 2026 — fresh terroir expressions, old-vine blends, and award-winning wines that belong on every serious wine list.
Spain's Rioja Renaissance: Why US Importers Are Doubling Down in 2026
Despite cellars overflowing in La Rioja, Gran Reserva wines are surging in the US market. Here's why Spanish wine imports grew 4.4% in 2024 — and what it means for American restaurants and retailers in 2026.
Rioja vs Navarra: Spain's Premier Wine Regions Redefine Excellence
Explore Spain's Rioja DOCa and Navarra DO regions, from traditional Tempranillo aging to modern export innovations. Discover premium Spanish wines from Manzanos.