spanish wines
TRANSCRIPT
SPANISH WINES
INTRODUCTION
• SPAIN HAS A HISTORY OF WINE MAKING THAT IS OVER A THOUSAND YEARS OLD, SO THERE IS A LOT TO KNOW ABOUT SPANISH WINE.• SPAIN IS WELL KNOWN FOR RICH RED WINES, CRISP WHITE WINES,
SPARKLING WINES OR “CAVA”, AND THE UNIQUE FORTIFIED SHERRY WINES OR “GENEROSOS”.
SPAIN - FACTSHEET• GRAPES ARE THE THIRD BIGGEST CROP IN SPAIN AFTER CEREALS AND
OLIVES• 15.5% OF THE WORLD'S VINEYARDS ARE IN SPAIN, MAKING SPAIN THE
NUMBER ONE RANKED COUNTRY IN THE WORLD IN TERMS OF AREA COVERED BY VINEYARDS.• SPANISH VINEYARDS HAVE A LOW YIELD (BECAUSE OF THE DRY CLIMATE)
MEANING SPAIN IS ONLY THIRD IN PRODUCTION BEHIND FRANCE AND ITALY.
SPAIN- FACTSHEET• DESPITE MOST OF SPAIN'S WINE BEING RED, 61.5% OF SPAIN'S VINEYARDS
ARE WHITE. THIS IS BECAUSE SPAIN ALSO MAKES A LOT OF BRANDY AND SHERRY. • THE MAIN RED GRAPE VARIETIES IN SPAIN ARE TEMPRANILLO, BOBAL,
GARNACHA (GRENACHE) & MONASTRELL. • THE MAIN WHITE GRAPE VARIETIES IN SPAIN ARE AIRÉN, MACABEO,
PALOMINO & PEDRO XIMENEZ.
SPAIN- FACTSHEET
• THERE ARE VINEYARDS IN ALL OF SPAIN'S 17 AUTONOMOUS REGIONS • THE BIGGEST SURFACE AREA OF VINEYARDS IS IN CASTILLA-LA MANCHA.• THE MOST DENSELY PLANTED VINEYARDS IN SPAIN ARE IN LA RIOJA. • SPAIN IS THE FIFTH BIGGEST EXPORTER OF WINE TO THE US AFTER ITALY,
AUSTRALIA, FRANCE AND CHILE.
The top 10 most popular grapes that are planted and originated in Spain are as follows..
AlbariñoThis thick skinned grape is Spain's most popular white grape, grown in the region of Galicia. The Albariño grape produces wines that are light, high in acid and usually have alcohol levels between 11% to 13%. It offers aromas of apricots and peaches and leads to a nice balanced finish, perfect for any type of fish, especially shell fish.
CarineñaOriginating in the town of Carineña, this red grape is known as a blending grape. This grape is known for making high acid wines with strong tannins, and is best used when blended with Garnacha and/or Syrah. Carineña is extremely popular as it offers large yields and can transform a simple Garnacha into a softer wine with deeper fruit, greater fragrance, and a superb balance.
Garnacha
One of the most widely planted grapes in the world, it originates in the region of Aragon. It grows well with hot days and cool nights and can be used alone or as a blend. Its known for offering a dark colour with high alcohol levels and flavours of red ripe fruit, coffee and leather, and usually having a long finish. In Spain, it is mainly used in the wine regions Navarra, Rioja, Priorat and Campo de Borja.
Graciano:
This red grape is most popular in the region of Rioja and is used as a blending grape. This grape can produce a dark colour, strong perfume and age extremely well, and is usually harvested later than most grapes, around late October. In Rioja, its usually used in Gran Reservas for better structure and to promote longer lasting wines.
Macabeo: Also called Viura, this white grape is used to make white Rioja's .It is the main grape used when making the famous Spanish sparkling wine, Cava. In Rioja they also blend this white grape with some red grapes, such as Tempranillo and Garnacha. In Cava it is blended with other white grapes to make sparkling wine. This grape makes mildly acidic wines that are made to be consumed young.
Mencia:
This red grape from the Bierzo wine region is leaner than most, with red fruit and a lively snap of acidity. It can be compared to Cabernet Franc, offering a dense perfume and made to be consumed young. Within the last couple of years, many talented Spanish wine makers have started to make wine with old vines of Mencia grapes, and have made them with more concentration and darker in colour.
Monastrell
The new wave of talented Spanish wine makers are using old vine Monastrell in these regions to create wines as dark as night, with relatively high alcohol levels and offering plenty of ripe fruit and great concentration.
Palomino: This white grape is the main source to make Sherry, Spain's famous fortified wine. This grape is mostly found in the region of Andalucía and is usually blended with other native grapes to make sherry.
Tempranillo:
Spain's most planted grape and its most famous grape. This grape is known for making some of the best wines in Spain, the top (3) regions that make the best Tempranillo are: Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro, where it is called "Tinta de Toro". This grape grows well in high altitudes, with hot days and cool nights. It makes bold red wines that offer plenty of fruit and tobacco.
Verdejo:
This white grape is grown in the region of Rueda and was always known for making sweet white wines. This grape is usually harvested at night and offers aromatic wines with plenty of fruit, low acid and perfect balance.
Some other produced grapes are as follows…
RED SPANISH GRAPES
Alicante Aragόn Bobal
Cabernet Sauvignon Callet Pinot Noir
WHITE SPANISH GRAPES
Airén Chardonnay Dona Blanca
Godello
AREA UNDER GRAPE CULTIVATION• IN 2014, SPAIN HAS THE GREATEST AREA OF VINEYARDS IN THE WORLD -
SOME 1.2 MILLION HECTARES WHICH COMPARES TO FRANCE’S 900,000 HECTARES.• 1 HECTARE = 107000 SQ FT• SPAIN NOW NEARLY TIED WITH ITALY AS THE WORLD’S #2 WINE PRODUCER
AFTER FRANCE.• THERE ARE ABOUT 4600 WINERIES IN SPAIN.
WINE PRODUCING REGIONS OF SPAIN
• THERE ARE OVER 60 DIFFERENT REGIONAL DOS PRODUCING EVERYTHING FROM LIGHT AND ZESTY ALBARIÑO TO INKY BLACK MONASTRELL.• THE BEST WAY TO START UNDERSTANDING THE AREA IS TO BREAK IT INTO 7
DISTINCT CLIMATES.
NORTHWEST “GREEN” SPAIN
• GALICIA, VERY UNLIKE THE REST OF SPAIN, IS WHERE LUSH GREEN VALLEYS ARE PLENTIFUL AND THE COMMON CUISINE INCLUDES LOTS OF FRESH FISH. • ALBARIÑO IS THE CHAMPION GRAPE OF THE SUB-REGION CALLED RIAS
BAIXAS (RYE-US BYE-SHUS), WHICH SKIRTS THE COAST.• THE AREA SPECIALIZES IN ZESTY WHITE WINES AND A FEW AROMATIC RED
WINES MADE WITH MENCIA (MEN-THI-YAH).
MEDITERRANEAN COAST
• THE COAST IS A VERY DIVERSE MACRO-REGION THAT CONTAINS THE SUB-REGIONS OF VALENCIA, CATALONIA AND MURCIA.• CATALONIA IS KNOWN FOR CAVA (SPANISH SPARKLING WINE) AND A HIGHLY
ACCLAIMED RED WINE SUB-ZONE, PRIORAT. • VALENCIA AND MURCIA ARE WARMER GROWING REGIONS THAT PRODUCE A BULK
OF VALUE WINES FROM DEEP RED MONASTRELL TO AROMATIC WHITE MALVASIA AND THE WIDELY PLANTED AIRÉN.
EBRO RIVER VALLEY
• THE SUB REGIONS OF LA RIOJA AND NAVARRA ARE FOUND IN THE EBRO RIVER VALLEY.• HERE, TEMPRANILLO IS KING AND LONG-STANDING BODEGAS SUCH AS
LOPEZ DE HEREDIA AND MARQUES DE MURRIETA MAKE AGE-WORTHY WINES. • NAVARRA PRODUCES A LARGE VOLUME OF ROSADO (ROSÉ) WINE OF
GARNACHA. • THE REGION ALSO PRODUCES OAK-AGED WHITE WINES OF VERDEJO AND
VIURA(MACABEO).• IN BASQUE COUNTRY, ZESTY WHITE WINES CALLED TXAKOLI (‘CHALK’OLLI )
ARE COMMON.
DUERO RIVER VALLEY
• THE DUERO RIVER IS THE SAME RIVER AS THE DOURO IN PORTUGAL.• THIS REGION IS NOTABLE FOR THE RICH WHITE VERDEJO OF RUEDA AND
THE RED WINES OF TORO, RIBERA DEL DUERO AND LEON. • THE WINE GRAPE OF TORO, CALLED TINTA DE TORO, HAS LONG BEEN
CONSIDERED A MUTANT OF TEMPRANILLO.• RIBERA DEL DUERO IS HOME TO ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS WINERIES IN
SPAIN: VEGA SICILIA.
CENTRAL PLATEAU
• THE CENTRAL PLATEAU OR MESETA CENTRAL IS THE INNER PLATEAU OF SPAIN WHICH IS HOME TO THE CAPITAL CITY, MADRID. • THE AREA HAS AN AVERAGE ELEVATION OF 2,300-2,600 FEET AND IS DRY
AND SUNNY. BECAUSE OF ITS CLIMATE CHARACTERISTICS, VINES ARE SPACED VERY FAR APART AND CLOSE TO THE GROUND. • SOME OF THE BEST VALUE RED WINES MADE OF MONASTRELL, SYRAH,
TEMPRANILLO AND GARNACHA COME FROM THIS AREA.
ANDALUCÍA
• ANDALUCÍA IS A VERY HOT AND DRY REGION FAMOUS FOR SHERRY. • STARK WHITE ALBARIZA SOIL MAKES PALOMINO VINEYARDS IN CÁDIZ LOOK
LIKE A MOONSCAPE. THE EVEN HOTTER, MONTILLA-MORILES PRODUCES FORTIFIED DESSERT WINES THAT ARE CALLED “PX“. AN AGED PX, SUCH AS BODEGAS TORO ABALA, HAVE SIMILAR NUTTY-DATE FLAVORS LIKE TAWNY PORT.
THE ISLANDS (INCLUDES THE CANARY ISLANDS)
• THE ISLANDS OF SPAIN OFFER A WIDE RANGE OF WINES FROM MENCIA-BASED REDS TO DESSERT WINES MADE WITH MOSCATEL. • THE VOLCANIC SOILS OF THE CANARY ISLANDS ADD A GRITTY TASTE OF
RUSTIC MINERALITY. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE VERY FEW EXPORTERS OF THE LIMITED WINES OF THE ISLANDS OF SPAIN.
SPANISH WINESSUB-REGIONS
SPANISH WINE - RED WINEVALDEORRAS IS A SMALL AREA IN THE EAST OF GALICIA AND ITS FRESH-TASTING REDS - MADE FROM THE NATIVE MENCIA GRAPE - ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
TORO PRODUCES EXTREMELY POWERFUL REDS -USING A MUTATION OF TEMPRANILLO.
CAMPO DE BORJA WINES - MADE FROM THE GARNACHA GRAPE - MUST ATTAIN A MINIMUM 13% ALCOHOL CONTENT, RESULTING IN SOME STUNNINGLY ALCHOLIC REDS!
LA MANCHA - LOCATED IN ARID PLAINS STRETCHING FROM MADRID TO VALDEPEÑAS - PRODUCES CLASSY REDS FROM THE CENCIBEL (TEMPRANILLO) GRAPE.
VALDEPEÑAS IS FAMED FOR TEMPRANILLO REDS THAT HAVE BEEN CASK-AGED AND LABELLED "RESERVA" OR "GRAN RESERVA". OAKEY AND FULL-FLAVOURED.
RIOJA IS ONE OF THE BEST-KNOWN AREAS FOR WINE. ITS RED WINE HAS A THICK, CREAMY TEXTURE AND FRUITY FLAVOUR. GRAPE VARIETIES OF THIS REGION, PRODUCTION METHODS AND NAMES OF WINE ARE TOO MANY TO LIST, BUT A GOOD GUIDE TO QUALITY IS THE LENGTH OF TIME MATURED.
SPANISH WINE - WHITE WINERÍAS BAJAS - IN THE REGION OF GALICIA -HAS A REPUTATION FOR FRAGRANT, FLORAL, DRY WHITE WINES PRODUCED FROM THE GRAPE VARIETY ALBARINO.
RIBEIRO - MEANING "RIVERSIDE" - PRODUCES EXCELLENT WHITES WITH STRONG OVERTONES OF ORANGE BLOSSOM.
RUEDA PRODUCES WHITE WINE ONLY - SOME OF SPAIN´S MOST AGREEABLE, LIGHT DRY WHITES.
LA MANCHA ALSO GROWS THE AIREN GRAPE, PRODUCING A REFRESHING, LEMONY WHITE WINE.
VALENCIA IS RENOWNED FOR ITS MOSCATEL DE VALENCIA - A SWEET WHITE WINE. THIS WINE DOESN´T UNDERGO NORMAL FERMENTATION, BUT IS MADE BY ADDING GRAPE SPIRIT TO FRESHLY-PRESSED MUSCAT JUICE
SPANISH WINE - ROSÉ WINENAVARRE - LOCATED ON THE RIVER EBOR - IS KNOW FOR ITS FRESH, FRUITY ROSADA OR ROSÉ WINE.
CIGALES PRINCIPALLY MAKES DRY ROSADOS AND A LITTLE RED, USING THE TWO MAIN GRAPES OF RIOJA.
SPANISH WINE - SPARKLING WINEPENEDÈS - NEAR BARCELONA - IS THE CENTRE OF THE CAVA INDUSTRY AND BASE FOR THE MIGHTY HOUSE OF TORRES. A PROLIFIC REGION, IT ALSO PRODUCES A WIDE VARIETY OF GOOD QUALITY RED AND WHITE WINES.
ASTURIAS IS FAMED FOR ITS CIDER - BOTH SPARKLING AND FLAT - LOCALS POURING OUT THEIR CIDER IN A VERY UNIQUE WAY.
READING THE WINE LABEL
THE LABEL WILL MENTION ONE OF THE FOLLOWING TYPE OF WINES:• TINTOS MEANING RED WINES• BLANCOS OR VINOS BLANCOS MEANING WHITE WINES • ROSADOS MEANING ROSE WINES• CAVA MEANING SPARKLING WINES
LEVEL OF AGINGTHE NEXT THING MENTIONED ON THE WINE LABEL IS THE LEVEL OF AGING.
THEY ARE:• JOVEN• BARRICA OR ROBLE• CRIANZA• RESERVA• GRAN RESERVA.
LEVELS OF AGING• JOVEN THIS MEAN “YOUNG” IN SPANISH. JOVEN WINE USUALLY HAS LITTLE OR NO OAK TREATMENT IT IS USUALLY FRUITY AND MEANT TO BE DRUNK WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF
RELEASE.
LEVELS OF AGING• BARRICA AND ROBLE BARRICA MEANS “BARREL AND ROBLE SIMPLY MEANS “OAK”. THESE TERMS INDICATE THAT A WINE HAS SEEN SOME OAK BARREL AGEING,
BUT NOT ENOUGH FOR THE WINE TO BE LABELED A “CRIANZA”. USUALLY, THIS MEANS AROUND 4 MONTHS OF OAK AGEING. THESE WINES ARE
MEANT TO BE DRUNK WITHIN A FEW YEARS OF RELEASE.
LEVELS OF AGING• CRIANZA –• THE WINE HAS BEEN AGED IN OAK FOR A WHILE. • A CRIANZA MUST BE AGED FOR A TOTAL OF 24 MONTHS, EITHER IN OAK OR IN BOTTLE
BEFORE RELEASE. • CRIANZA WINES ARE GENERALLY READY TO DRINK WHEN RELEASED AND CAN LAST FOR SAY
5 YEARS OR SO. • OFTEN THEY HAVE GOOD FRUIT CHARACTER WITH THE SMOOTHNESS OF OAK AGEING. A
WINE MAKER WILL SELECT BETTER GRAPES GENERALLY FOR A CRIANZA THAN FOR A BARRICA OR A JOVEN.
LEVELS OF AGING• RESERVA –• AN EASY ONE TO TRANSLATE, “RESERVE”. • SELECTED, HELD BACK, AND AGED LONGER. RESERVAS ARE USUALLY THE HIGHEST
QUALITY GRAPES THEWINE MAKER HAS, AND THE WINE SEES LONG OAK AGEING. • A MINIMUM OF 36 MONTHS OF AGEING BEFORE RELEASE IS REQUIRED• RESERVAS ARE GENERALLY VERY SMOOTH, FULL, COMPLEX, AND CAPABLE OF LASTING
UP TO 10 YEARS OR SO.
LEVELS OF AGINGGRAN RESERVA – • ONLY MADE DURING GOOD VINTAGES, THESE WINES ARE THE PINNACLES OF THEIR
GENRE. • THEY ARE MADE FROM THE BEST SELECTED FRUIT A PRODUCER HAS, USUALLY IN
SMALL QUANTITY. • THEY MUST BE AGED FOR A TOTAL OF 60 MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BE
RELEASED!• THE BEST LAST FOR DECADES.
RED WINES
MARQUES DE RISCAL GRAN RESERVA
THIS IS ONE OF THE FIRST BODEGAS IN SPAIN TO USE THE BORDEAUX METHOD OF WINEMAKING. THE RIOJA ESTATE IS NOW FAMOUS FOR ITS PINK
AND SILVER CITY OF WINE BUILDING DESIGNED BY FRANK O. GEHRY. THE GRAN RESERVA, MADE FROM TEMPRANILLO, GRACIANO AND MAZUELO, IS
MADE IN SMALLER QUANTITIES THAN SOME OF THE BODEGA’S OTHER BOTTLINGS, BUT ISN’T TOO EXPENSIVE OR HARD TO OBTAIN. IT HAS GREAT AGING POTENTIAL, IF THE 1945 MARQUES DE RISCAL IS ANY EVIDENCE— IT IS CONSIDERED TO BE ONE OF THE GREATEST RED WINES EVER PRODUCED
IN SPAIN (BUT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND).
MARQUÉS DE MURRIETA CASTILLO YGAY GRAN RESERVA
ESPECIALANOTHER RIOJA BODEGA FAMOUS FOR BRINGING THE BORDEAUX METHOD TO SPAIN. THE WINE IS
MADE FROM TEMPRANILLO AND MAZUELO AND HAS A DISTINCT FAT, HIGH ALCOHOL AND HIGHLY
PIGMENTED CHARACTER. IT IS RELATIVELY AFFORDABLE. ANY SPANISH WINE JUNKIE SHOULD
GET A FIX FROM MURRIETA.
VALDEMAR INSPIRACIÓN
VALDEMAR MATURANA TINTA
THIS BODEGA HAS ALWAYS STOOD FOR INNOVATION—THE FIRST BARREL-FERMENTED WHITE RIOJA, THE FIRST GARNACHA RESERVA
AND THE FIRST CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA IN RIOJA WERE ALL MADE HERE. ALONG THESE LINES IS THE INSPIRACIÓN MADE FROM
100% MATURANA TINTA, A NATIVE GRAPE THAT WAS NEARLY EXTINCT BEFORE RIOJAN VITICULTURALIST JUAN CARLOS SANCHA
MADE AN EFFORT TO REVIVE THE VARIETY. FIRST MADE IN THE 2005 VINTAGE, IT’S A MUST-TRY FOR LOVERS OF SPAIN’S UNIQUE GRAPES
TORRES MAS LA PLANAANYONE WHO KNOWS SPAIN KNOWS THE NAME TORRES. THIS IS ONE
OF THE LARGEST WINE PRODUCERS IN SPAIN (THEY MAKE MORE WINES THAN ONE CAN KEEP STRAIGHT) AND A PROFILE OF THE TOP
SPANISH WINES WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT A TORRES BOTTLE. MIGUEL TORRES INTRODUCED STAINLESS-STEEL FERMENTATION AND TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED FERMENTATION TO SPAIN IN THE 1960S. THIS IS ONE OF THEIR HIGHER-END BOTTLES, MADE FROM CABERNET
SAUVIGNON. THE TORRES PERPETUAL FROM PRIORAT IS ANOTHER GOOD TORRES WINE TO TRY.
COMPAÑÍA DE VINOS TELMO RODRÍGUEZ ALTOS DE LANZAGA
TELMO RODRÍGUEZ HAS BEEN CALLED “SPAIN’S MOST CELEBRATED ITINERANT WINEMAKER.” HE TRAVELS THE COUNTRY IN SEARCH OF
FORGOTTEN REGIONS AND VINEYARDS IN AN EFFORT TO PRESERVE SPAIN’S TRADITION UNDER THE PRESSURE OF COMMERCIAL WINES. HE MAKES
COUNTLESS WINES IN REGIONS ALL OVER SPAIN. THIS IS THE TOP TELMO RODRÍGUEZ WINE FROM RIOJA, MADE MAINLY FROM TEMPRANILLO WITH A
LITTLE GARNACHA AND GRACIANO, FIRST PRODUCED IN 1999. ANOTHER OF TELMO’S WINES, GABA DO XIL, A RED WINE FROM THE MENCÍA GRAPE, IS
SO AWESOME THAT IT WAS FEATURED IN JAPANESE MANGA IN 2010!
WHITE WINES
BLANDY'S 1998 COLHEITA SINGLE HARVEST
VERDELHO (MADEIRA)PRICE$50
MADE FROM ONE OF THE NOBLE GRAPES OF MADEIRA AND AGED IN WOOD, THIS MEDIUM-DRY WINE IS RICH, CONCENTRATED AND
DENSE, WITH JUST HINTS OF FRUIT AND ITS ORIGINAL PERFUMED CHARACTER. A WONDERFUL TANG SHOWS AT THE END AS
FRESHNESS KICKS IN. LIKE ANY OLD WOOD-AGED WINE, IT IS READY TO DRINK.
— R.V. (12/1/2014)
DOMAINE DES BAUMARD NV VERT DE L’OR
VERDELHO (VIN DE FRANCE)
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A SMALL PARCEL OF VERDELHO, PLANTED ORIGINALLY IN THE 19TH CENTURY AND NEVER
OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED. THE WINE HAS A BEAUTIFUL BOTRYTIS CHARACTER, MARKED BY PURE ACIDITY, BY LEMON AND HONEY AND GREAT FINAL
FRESHNESS. SCREWCAP. — R.V. (6/1/2011)
BLANCO NIEVA 2011 PIE FRANCO VERDEJO
(RUEDA)
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PRICE$28THIS GETS GOING WITH APPLE, PEACH AND MINERAL
AROMAS THAT ARE PURE AND ALLURING. IT FEELS LIFTED BUT A LITTLE CREAMY, WITH GREEN BANANA, LIME, ORANGE AND KIWI FLAVORS. SOLID AND LONG
ON THE FINISH; THIS IS EXEMPLARY UNOAKED VERDEJO.
— M.S. (11/1/2012)
RAFAEL PALACIOS 2005 AS SORTES GODELLO
(VALDEORRAS)
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PRICE$35PALACIOS STARTED HIS VALDEORRAS WINERY IN 2004, AND IN SHORT ORDER HE HAS ESTABLISHED HIMSELF AS A QUALITY
LEADER. HIS AS SORTES IS 100% GODELLO, FROM DRY-FARMED VINES WITH AGE. THIS WINE IS RICH, WITH AMPLE OAK, FRESH AND
DRY FRUIT FLAVORS, AND A WALNUT-INFUSED FINISH. QUITE BURGUNDIAN IN STYLE.
— M.S. (9/1/2006)
BODEGAS VALDERROA 2004 PEDROUZOS 1.5L
GODELLO (VALDEORRAS)
PRICE$80FROM EXTREMELY OLD GODELLO VINES, THIS BARREL-FERMENTED WINE COMES ONLY IN MAGNUMS. IT’S CURRENTLY SHOWING A LOT OF OAK, BUT IT’S ALSO EXTREMELY WELL STRUCTURED. IT HAS AN
ACID BACKBONE THAT NOBODY COULD CRACK. VERY SERIOUS, WITH INTENSE APPLE, PEAR AND MINERALITY. MUCH LIKE A FINE
BURGUNDY. — M.S. (9/1/2006)
ROSE WINES
2010 PROTOCOLO ROSE TIERRA DE
CASTILLA SPAIN 13%
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DUSTY ON THE NOSE WITH DARK CHERRY FRUIT AND A NICE VINOUS ELEMENT. THIS SMELLS A LITTLE BIT ON THE SWEET/FRUITY SIDE BUT BLIND, ONE MIGHT EASILY THINK THIS IS A RED WINE. VERY LEAN ON
ENTRY AND PRECISE WITH LOW, PURE LIGHTLY MINERAL-LACED FLAVORS OF EARTHY WILD CHERRY/BLUEBERRY FRUIT. THIS IS WELL
PUT TOGETHER WITH A NICE FOUNDATION OF ACIDS AND SUPER FINE TANNINS. THE FINISH SHOWS A NICE BURST OF MINERAL, HERB AND BLACK FRUIT TONES THAT LINGER BEFORE ENDING ON AN ALMOSTY
PEACHY TONE. A REALLY COMPLETE AND FUN ROSÉ. 89PTS
2000 LOPEZ DE HEREDIA TONDONIA ROSADO GRAN
RESERVA 13.5%
NICELY AROMATIC ON THE NOSE, IF NOT FRUITY, WITH MINERAL EARTH NUANCES SUPPORTING A COMPLEX ARRAY OF EVOLVED, NUTTY SHERRY AND HINTS OF
MUSTINESS THAT GROW AROUND THE CORE OF WILD RASPBERRY AND DRIED ORANGE PEEL TONES. ON THE PALATE THIS IS TENSE AND CRISP WITH NUANCED ALMOND, BITTER ORANGE RIND AND RASPBERRY NOTES THAT LEAD TO A LONG,
LAYERED FINISH THAT REVEALS MINERAL, RED FRUIT AND AROMATIC WOOD NOTES. NOT YOUR TYPICAL ROSÉ, AND AFTER AGING FOR OVER FOUR YEARS IN BARREL AND SIX YEARS IN BOTTLE, HOW COULD IT BE? NONETHELESS, THIS IS A BRILLIANT WINE, MORE AKIN TO A GREAT AGED WHITE WINE THAN A ROSÉ. IT’S SUBTLE AND COMPLEX, PERFECT FOR RICH FISH DISHES AND CHEESE. 92PTS
2010 VIVANCO TEMPRANILLO-
GRENACHE RIOJA 13.5%
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VERY FRUITY ON THE NOSE WITH A SWEET UNDERTONE TO THE RASPBERRY/STRAWBERRY FRUIT. A TOUCH OF RS UP FRONT IS PAIRED WITH RATHER ASSERTIVE FRUIT AND AN OPULENT MOUTHFEEL. THIS IS A LOVELY SIPPING ROSÉ, PERHAPS A TOUCH SWEET AND FRUITY, BUT
IT FINISHES DRY AND WITH GOOD CLEANSING ACIDS. IT’S A BIT SIMPLE IN FLAVOR PROFILE, A TOUCH OF MEAT AND LEATHER ACCENTING THE
RASPBERRY FRUIT, BUT IT’S A NICE, BOLDER ROSÉ. 88PTSFIND OUT MORE
2010 VEGA SINDOA GARNACHA ROSADO NAVARRA 13%
LIGHTLY AROMATIC WITH A HINT OF PEAR, SOME STONY NOTES AND AN OVERLAY OF LIGHTLY MINTY, LIGHTLY HERBAL ASTRINGENT RED BERRY FRUIT.
BRIGHT AND CRISP ON ENTRY WITH AN IMMEDIATE RUSH OF RED CHERRY, RASPBERRY FRUIT THAT’S FRAMED WITH A GENTLE SPICE NOTES AND SOME INTERESTING AROMATIC TOP NOTES. THE MID-PALATE HERE TURNS A LITTLE
CREAMY AND RICH, AND WHILE LESS INTERESTING TO ME, SHOULD PROVE TO BE WILDLY POPULAR. THIS FINISHES WITH THE ACID REASSERTING ITSELF AND
GOOD LENGTH TO THE STONY RED FRUITS. NICELY DONE. 88PTS
2010 MARQUES DE RISCAL ROSE 13%
EARTHY AND FUNKY RIGHT OUT OF THE BOTTLE WITH COMPLEX, SLIGHTLY SWEET NUTTY, OLD WOOD, AND DRIED SPICE TONES OVER SLIGHTLY MEDICINAL BLACK RASPBERRY FRUIT WITH A GENTLE VANILLA TOP NOTE. THIS IS LOVELY IN
THE MOUTH, BRIGHT ACIDS SUPPORT TRANSPARENT, CLEAR BLACK AND RED FRUIT TONES WITH FLORAL, WAXY AND GENTLY SPICY ACCENT NOTES FLOATING AROUND THE MOUTH. THE WINE FINISHES WITH IMPRESSIVE WEIGHT, LENGTH AND GOOD CLARITY TO THE BLACK RASPBERRY FRUIT, WITH MEDICINAL AND DRIED SPICE TONES. THIS IS ELEGANT AND FINE AND ALL YOU CAN ASK FOR
FROM A ROSÉ. 90PTSFIND OUT MORE
SPANISH WINE WITH FOOD - SHERRY• SPANISH WINES PAIR VERY WELL WITH SPANISH TRADITIONAL DISHES• SHERRY AND ITS NEARBY COUSIN, MONTILLA, ARE EXCELLENT MATCHES FOR
ANYTHING FROM JAPANESE (ESPECIALLY SUSHI AND TEMPURA) AND OTHER ASIAN CUISINES, TO FRIED FOODS, TO A BROAD RANGE OF ARTISAN CHEESES• SWEET SHERRIES MATCHED TO BLUE CHEESES ARE SPECTACULAR• AMONG DRY SHERRIES MANZANILLA IS A GREAT MATCH FOR SHRIMP, OYSTERS,
SCALLOPS, CLAMS, AND OTHER SHELLFISH
SPANISH WINE WITH FOOD - CAVA• IT CAN BE USED AS AN IDEAL, INEXPENSIVE BY-THE-GLASS APERITIF • ITS PALATE-REFRESHING QUALITIES ALSO MAKE IT IDEAL WITH SPANISH
TAPAS; WITH ALL KINDS OF SEAFOOD--ESPECIALLY MOLLUSKS AND CRUSTACEANS; AND WITH AMERICAN-STYLE APPETIZERS. • CAVA CAN SERVE AS A COLD, REFRESHING COUNTERPOINT TO THE HEAT,
AND IT IS DELICIOUS WITH A BROAD RANGE OF ASIAN CUISINES (SUSHI, CHINESE FOOD, EVEN SPICY THAI DISHES).
SPANISH WHITE WINES WITH FOOD• IT SUITS COOKING STYLES THAT RANGE FROM THE SIMPLEST GRILLED
SHELLFISH AND OTHER SEAFOOD OF NORTHERN SPAIN TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN COOKING TO ASIAN CUISINE, INDEED ANY FOOD THAT CALLS FOR A CRISP, FRUITY, OFTEN MINERALLY WHITE WINE.• SPANISH WHITE WINES MARRY WELL WITH TRADITIONAL LOCAL DISHES
SUCH AS ARRÒS NEGRE (BLACK RICE FLAVORED WITH SQUID INK), CATALAN MAR Y MUNTANYA (SURF AND TURF) DISHES SUCH THOSE USING SEAFOOD AND GOOSE AND SUQUETS (FISHERMAN-INSPIRED SEAFOOD STEWS).
SPANISH ROSE WINES WITH FOOD
• MOST ARE EXCELLENT COMPANIONS TO A BROAD RANGE OF DISHES FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD– SEAFOOD,PORK, ASIAN CUISINES, AMERICAN BARBECUE, MEXICAN AND SOUTH AMERICAN CUISINES AND OF COURSE, WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF SPANISH DISHES FROM PATATAS A LA RIOJANA (POTATOES WITH CHORIZO) TO SEAFOOD AND OTHER PAELLAS.
SPANISH RED WINES WITH FOOD• THEY DO WELL WITH PIZZA, STEAKS, AND CHEESES, AND ALSO WORK WELL
WITH MEXICAN AND SOUTHWESTERN AMERICAN CUISINE. • SOME SPANISH RED DESSERT WINES GOVERY WELL WITH EGG-BASED, NUT-
BASED AND CHOCOLATE DESSERTS.
