The Joy of Discovering Different Wines
If you've eaten out in Spain this summer, there's a good chance you've noticed the same familiar names appearing on wine lists. Albariño. Verdejo. Rioja. Ribera del Duero.
There's absolutely nothing wrong with that. We enjoy all of them ourselves (see above - Rioja wines from Arizcuren).
But one of the greatest pleasures of Spanish wine is that it doesn't stop there.
Spain is home to hundreds of indigenous grape varieties, countless small family wineries and regions producing wines that many people have never even heard of. Yet many restaurant wine lists still play it safe, relying on the same familiar names because they're what customers recognise and they don't have the time or energy to explore other options.
The irony is that many customers are far more adventurous than they're given credit for. Sometimes, all it takes is one thoughtful recommendation or one carefully curated wine list for someone to discover a completely new favourite.
Recently, someone got in touch with us after dining at Little Jarana. They'd enjoyed a fantastic meal and discovered several wines they'd never encountered before. Abraham, the owner, suggested they contact us if they wanted to explore those wines (and more) further.
Little Jarana doesn't have an enormous wine list or a cellar full of prestigious labels. In fact, quite the opposite. Their success comes from paying attention.
Their wine list is carefully curated rather than extensive. The team knows the wines they serve because they've tasted them, giving them the confidence to recommend bottles that guests may never have considered ordering. Wine isn't treated as just another item on the menu; it's woven into the dining experience and becomes part of the conversation.
That approach has earned Little Jarana well-deserved recognition from Star Wine List, but more importantly, it creates memorable experiences for its guests.
We met the customer last weekend and what stood out wasn't how much he knew about wine. It was how curious he was.
He wasn't looking for another bottle of Albariño because he already knew he enjoyed Albariño. He wanted to discover wines he'd never tasted before.
After several conversations about the styles he enjoys and the kinds of wines he wanted to explore, we put together a selection that reflected that curiosity. It included a Viura from Rioja that challenges expectations of the region, two Manzanillas from Sanlúcar de Barrameda, an Albillo Real from Castilla y León, a Palomino from Bierzo, and a beautifully balanced blend of Treixadura and Albariño that ignored boundaries.
A bottle of Maisulan Viura white wine from Rioja Alavesa 
A close up photo of a bottle of Roto Palomino wine created by Verónica Ortega 
A bottle of Bodegas del Río Solera Playa Marea Baja 
A bottle of Esteban Celemín A Horquilla Albillo Real 
A bottle of Bodegas del Río Solera Playa Azul next to the esturay 
A bottle of Mixtura Blanco, made with Treixadura and Albariño
None of these wines were chosen because they were fashionable or widely recognised.
They were chosen because someone was curious enough to ask questions, open their mind and trust our recommendations.
For us, that's what discovering wine is all about.
It's also why we encourage restaurants, hotels and wine bars to think beyond the obvious choices. Albariño and Verdejo absolutely deserve their place on a wine list, but so do the many other remarkable grape varieties and wine regions that Spain has to offer.
Offering guests something unexpected doesn't simply make a wine list more interesting. It creates conversations, sparks curiosity and often leaves people with a memorable experience they'll talk about long after the meal has finished.
Little Jarana is a perfect example of that philosophy in action. Their team knows their wines, they're enthusiastic about sharing them, and they're confident enough to recommend something different. The result isn't just a better wine list - it's a richer hospitality experience.
At Wine Industry Mallorca, that's exactly why we do what we do.
We love introducing people to wines they weren't expecting to enjoy. Sometimes that's a volcanic white from the Canary Islands, an elegant Godello from Bierzo or a unique Gorgollassa from Mallorca.
A hand holding a bottle of Titerok-Akaet Paraje white wine in front of an Aloe Vera plant 
A bottle of Verónica Ortega La Llorona white wine, with some of it poured into a glass 
A hand holding a bottle of Dunord Vitícola Curolla red wine, made with Gorgollassa grapes
Spain's wine story is far bigger than the handful of varieties that appear on many wine lists.
So, the next time you're handed a wine list, don't automatically order what you already know.
Ask what's different.
You might just discover a wine you'll be talking about long after summer is over.
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