Monastrell

Aged Manchego's firm texture, nutty profile, and sheepy undertones demand beverages with sufficient structure and complexity. Spanish wines like Tempranillo and Sherry have evolved alongside this classic cheese, while the suggested beers offer complementary malt sweetness or palate-cleansing qualities that enhance the cheese's rich, crystalline character.

Chorizo and bean stew features smoky, paprika-forward pork sausage with earthy beans in a rich, savory broth. This hearty Spanish-influenced dish requires beverages that can complement its bold flavors while cutting through the richness with either tannins or carbonation.

Paella's complex savory profile with saffron, seafood, and/or meats benefits from wines that offer bright acidity to cut through the rich flavors while complementing the dish's Mediterranean character. The recommended beers provide refreshing carbonation and complementary yeast or malt notes that enhance paella's distinctive blend of land and sea flavors without overwhelming them.

Spain continues to be one of the world's great sources for wine values, and this organic red blend from Bodegas Venta la Vega showcases exactly why. From the lesser-known Almansa region in southeastern Spain, this bottle offers remarkable quality and character at a price that makes it perfect for everyday enjoyment. The 'Adaras Aldea' (meaning 'village') blend combines Garnacha (Grenache) and Monastrell (Mourvèdre) – two Mediterranean varieties perfectly suited to the hot, dry conditions of the region. These organically farmed vineyards sit at high elevation (over 2,400 feet), where cool nights help the grapes maintain freshness despite the intense daytime heat. The result is a wine with generous fruit and spice but enough structure and acidity to keep everything in balance. It's the kind of honest, unpretentious red that reminds us why we fell in love with wine in the first place – it delivers pure pleasure without unnecessary complication or inflated prices.