2009 Penin Guide to Spanish Wine

The 2009 Penin Guide To Spanish Wine has recently been released in the US. It is considered one of the most definitive books on Spanish wine. The Penin Guide is is a trade-sized paperback book and has only been available in English for a few years. I have been buying copies since 2006 and think they are valuable resources.

The 2009 Penin Guide is similar to the 2008 edition, which means it also lacks about 175 pages of general educational information about wine that had been in the earlier editions. I would like to see this section placed back into the book, making it more helpful, especially to those new to wine.

The book primarily consists of thousands of wine reviews and listings for the wines and wineries of Spain. It also provides information of the current vintage in Spain and specific information on each D.O. The 2009 contains about 400 more wines than the last edition. The book also mention that they have seen less use of new oak by Spanish wine makers, many now using second-hand barrels to impact less oak impact to the wines.

There are also twice as many white wines in this edition as there were in the last one. White wines are really starting to become popular in Spain, including from regions that once were known mainly for red wines. I have seen a surge locally in Albarino and a few other Spanish whites, though Spanish reds still seem the most popular here.

The price of the 2009 Guide is $45, the same as last year's edition. But, you can buy it online through Barnes & Noble for only $36, and even less if you have a membership there.

If you really love Spanish wines and want more specific information about Spain and its wineries, then this guide is worthwhile to you. It is a good resource to find Spanish winery websites and other contact information.