Welcome to The Society s Iberian Adventures The Wines of Spain and Portugal tasting.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Welcome to The Society s Iberian Adventures The Wines of Spain and Portugal tasting."

Neal Farmer
6 years ago
Views:

1 Welcome to The Society s Iberian Adventures The Wines of Spain and Portugal tasting. The wines of these two stalwarts of the old world have been undergoing a quiet revolution over the last 20 years. Both countries are blessed with a plethora of indigenous grape varieties Spain alone has as many as 600 and hugely varied geography, and we urge Society members not to overlook the resultant delights. As well as its rich vinous heritage, Iberia is also home to a generation of dynamic, talented winemakers, reluctant to follow trends and plant international grape varieties. Thanks to them, a new breed of full-bodied, fruity reds and moreish, mineral whites has emerged, more than able to compete on the world stage. The Society s sweetness code: White wines from bone dry [1] to lusciously sweet [9]. = sparkling wine = white wine = red wine S = screwcap closure F= fortified wine Spain The Spanish wine scene is going through exciting times. Its 67 regions are full of dynamic, talented winemakers who are making more and more delicious and individual wines for us to enjoy. With so many classified regions comes great diversity, with fresh and fragrant white wines in the northwestern regions of Galicia, the full, ripe red wines of Navarra, the richly oaked wines of Rioja and of course the sweet and fortified wines of Jerez in the south. Catalunya and North East Spain Located in north-east Spain on the border with France, Cataluña s climate is strongly influenced by the Mediterranean. The coastal belt is warm and calm with moderate rainfall, and with conditions becoming more arid and extreme further inland. It is here that most of Spain s cava is produced along with an eclectic range of traditional, powerful reds and cool-fermented dry whites. 1. [1] The Society s Cava Reserva Brut NV Produced for The Society by Sumarroca, a small family estate in Penedès, using the traditional cava grapes of parellada, macabeo and xarel-lo, plus a touch of chardonnay to add finesse. Second fermentation takes place in the bottle (as with Champagne) before the wine is aged on its lees for 30 months. Voted Best Value Cava at the Wines of Spain Awards. Drink now until % ref SG bottle 95 dozen 2. Salvaje Del Moncayo Garnacha 2014 High-altitude (810 metres) vineyards set in the Moncayo mountains in Aragon produce a thrilling (if surprising) style of Spanish garnacha. This lightly structured example is floral, gentle and succulent with hints of berry fruit. Drink this year and next. 13.5% ref SP bottle 83 dozen

2 Galicia Galicia is one of the wettest parts of Iberia with rainfall on the coast averaging more than 1,300mm a year which is well compensated for by an annual average of over 2,000 hours of sunshine. The Albariño grape thrives in these humid conditions alongside loureiro and godello, as well as the red skinned mencía which is making a popular comeback in the region. 3. [1] Pazo de Villarei Albariño, Rías Baixas 2014 A fruity and mouthwatering albariño which is a lovely introduction to the fresh, aromatic quality of Spain s now famous north-western grape one that produces elegant, fragrant and appley wines which show their best when unoaked, as here. Drink this year. 12.5% S ref SP bottle 102 dozen Murcia Murcia is a region in south-east Spain on the coast of the Mediterranean which encompasses a number of wine-producing areas including Alicante, Jumilla and Yecla. The area is dominated by red wine, with monastrell being the most planted variety, closely followed by garnacha. 4. [2] Saleta Moscatel-Sauvignon Blanc 2015 Generous, fresh and grapy Spanish moscatel, bursting with bright aromas of lime peel and a touch of rose petal. The dash of sauvignon blanc provides a crisp, dry base to this mouthwatering, aromatic white. Drink this year and next. 12.5% S ref SP bottle 71 dozen 5. Barahonda Monastrell, Yecla 2014 This full-bodied red, new to The Society, is made by the Candela family who have been making wine in Yecla, a region inland of Alicante, since It is a fragrant and succulent monastrell with spicy blueberry fruit in abundance. Drink this year and next. 14.5% ref SP bottle 78 dozen Ribera Del Duero Arguably Spain s second most important DO, Ribera del Duero is located in north-central Spain spanning the upper valley of the Duero river. At between 700 and 850 metres above sea level, the growing season is relatively short with frost being commonplace during winter, spring and autumn The region s principal grape variety is tinto fino (also called tinta del pais), a local variant on Rioja s tempranillo, which produces rich, deep-coloured red wines with the capacity to age. 6. Momo Vendimia Seleccionada, Ribera Del Duero 2012 This plummy, full-bodied Ribera del Duero comes from the small Bohórquez estate which neighbours some of the region s most famous producers. Spicy, velvety and very good value. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 114 dozen

3 Navarra Neighbouring Rioja, Navarra is famous for its reds and rosé wines from the garnacha grape, although tempranillo plantings increased dramatically during the 1990 s. The region is split into five subzones according to climate, including the cooler slopes of the Baja Montaña close to the Pyrenean foothills and Ribera Baja, around the city of Tudela in the south, accounting for approximately 30% of Navarra s vineyards. 7. Viña Zorzal Graciano, Navarra 2014 Delicious, robust, earthy red from Navarra, made with Rioja s graciano grape. This has hints of blueberry flavour that is typical of this indigenous variety. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 83 dozen Rioja Spain s leading wine region is divided into three zones that run along the axis of the river Ebro. Rioja Alta occupies the Ebro valley west of Logroño and includes the wine making town of Haro. Rioja Alavesa is located north of the river and Rioja Baja extends from the suburbs of Logroño south and east to include the towns of Calahorra and Alfaro. Tempranillo is the most widely planted variety, which ripens well on the clay and limestone slopes, with garnacha, mazuelo and graciano also featuring in most blends. As for white rioja, the viura grape dominates and produces rich, fruity wines that respond well to oak ageing and, at some of the more traditional estates, deliberate oxidation. 8. [2] Navajas Blanco Crianza, Rioja 2013 A creamy-textured traditional white Rioja which combines the fruitiness of viura and toasty, nutty flavours from having spent at least six months in new French and American oak. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 90 dozen 9. [2] Marqués De Murrieta Blanco Capellanía Vineyard, Rioja 2010 Full and broad, this is an excellent example of oak-aged white Rioja from this historic estate using 100% viura planted in the single vineyard Capellania and aged for 22 months in oak. The wine is partially oxidised and shows a beautifully sherried mid-palate to complement the peach and melon aromas and savoury finish. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 167 dozen 10. Dominum QP Reserva, Rioja 2008 Cedary, smoky Rioja which is made in the traditional style with tempranillo, graciano and garnacha, and aged for two years in oak barrels. This is round, savoury and juicy. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 119 dozen 11. La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva, Rioja 2005 The new release of this exquisite gran reserva is superb. The 2005 is complex, muscular and beautifully integrated, and still young despite its decade of age. The 904 is a blend of 90% tempranillo and 10% graciano, aged for five years in oak and a further four years in bottle. Drink now until % ref SP bottle 336 dozen

4 Andalucía Andalucía is Spain s southernmost and warmest wine region encompassing eight provinces as well as the DO regions of Jerez, Montilla-Moriles and Málaga. It s traditionally been associated with strong, alcoholic wines which have been exported from the port of Cádiz since 1100BC. Today the area is most famous for the production of the fortified wine, sherry. 12. F Hidalgo Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada From the fine Pastrana vineyard in the Miraflores region, which has long produced the finest wines in Hidalgo s cellars, this is the best manzanilla pasada we have tasted. Concentrated by maturation in barrels, this lightly nutty manzanilla has the strength of character to stand up to a wide range of foods. Drink this year. 15% ref SH bottle 119 dozen 13. F The Society s Exhibition Mature Medium Sweet Oloroso Blend Produced for us by Sánchez Romate, this is a wonderfully rich and figgy oloroso. Ageing has concentrated not only the flavour but also the structure giving an intensely sweet wine that is opulent without being cloying. Its powerful structure allows it to stand up to most puddings, including those incorporating chocolate. Drink this year and next. 20% S ref SH bottle 143 dozen Portugal Portugal has been undergoing something of a quiet revolution over the last 20 years or so. A reluctance to follow trends and plant international grapes is now paying dividends and the new breed of full-blooded, fruit-filled wines are more than able to compete on the world stage. The unique flavours that are the hallmark of Portugal's indigenous grape varieties have become its trump card. Minho Situated on Portugal s north-west border with Spain, Minho shares its boundaries with Vinho Verde DOP but producers may use different varieties, and produce wines higher than the 11.5% ABV maximum for vinho verde. 14. [1] Anselmo Mendes Muros An gos Loureiro, Vinho Verde 2014 The second-most popular single-varietal style of vinho verde (after alvarinho) is loureiro, a grape most common in central Minho. Its wines have delightful floral perfume with mouthwatering freshness and appetising piquant palate refreshing and delicious. Drink this year. 12% ref PW bottle 95 dozen

5 Setúbal Setúbal is a port and DOP region on the Sado estuary south of Lisbon, the Portuguese capital. Despite being predominantly known for its fortified muscat, the area is becoming well known for its dry white wines made from predominantly verdelho, antão vaz and arinto. 15. [2] Adega de Pegōes Colheita Seleccionada, Setúbal 2014 Four grapes (three local, plus a splash of chardonnay) blend effortlessly to make this creamytextured food-friendly white, now an established favourite in our range. Drink this year. 13% ref PW bottle 81 dozen Beira Interior Beira Interior is a large, diverse but sparsley planted DOP in central Portugal where the shallow granite-based soils and harsh continental climate have great influence over production and style. Attaining phenolic ripeness can be a problem here and so growers are turning to earlier ripening varieties such as mencía. 16. Rui Madeira Beyra Mencía, Beira Interior 2012 The mencía grape is often known as jaen in Portugal and is increasing in popularity both here and in Spain. Deep-coloured brambly red from cool vineyards in the east of Portugal, farmed sustainably. Drink this year. 13% ref PW bottle 111 dozen Alentejano For centuries, Alentejo s main link with wine was cork. Portugal provides approximately half the world s cork, with Alentejo, a large, sparsely populated area in southern Portugal, being the main region for cork oaks. Today it is famed for its fruit-led wines that provide easy drinking at an early age. 17. Terrenus Tinto, Alentejo 2011 A vinho regional from an old mixed-planted vineyard of 80 to 100-year-old bush vines in the Portalegre sub region of north-eastern Alentejo, close to Portugal s border with Spain. The blend is aragonez, trincadeira, alicante Bouschet and other indigenous varieties, rounded by 14 months in French oak. Rich and ripe with the seam of fresh minerality typical of winemaker Rui Reguinga s style. Drink now until % ref PW bottle 131 dozen

6 Dão Surrounded by granite mountains which shelter Dão from the Atlantic, Dão has become one of Portugal s leading areas, specialising in elegant, mineral red wines. Although white wine is produced in the region, production is around 80% red, with local varieties touriga nacional, tinta roriz, mencía and alfrocheiro prevalent. 18. [1] Quinta De Saes Reserva Encruzado, Dão 2013 Unusually for the Reserva wine this is 100% encruzado, made by Alvaro Castro at sister property Quinta de Pellada. Extended skin contact, slow fermentation and bâtonnage have produced a fine and balanced wine with both volume and minerality. This characterful Portuguese grape produces wines that can age well, but we suggest indulging in its present charm over the next 12 months or so. 13% ref PW bottle 155 dozen 19. Jardim Da Estrela, Dão 2013 From the faboulous Dão Sul estate this is a lighter style of Dão than those typically found in the region. With flavours of sweet red fruits, this is a juicy and refreshing wine made from local grapes touriga nacional, tinta roriz and alfrocheiro. Drink this year. 13% ref PW bottle 75 dozen Douro Portugal s best-known region is named after the river which rises as the Duero in Spain before turning south to form the frontier with Portugal and then west through the granite mountains to the Atlantic ocean at Oporto. The area is most famous for its fortified wine, port, made using the local varieties of touriga nacional, touriga franca, tinta cão, tinta roriz and tinta barroca. 20. [2] Old Vines in Young Hands Branco 2014 A relatively new wine from old mixed-planted vineyards high in the Douro, where a younger generation is making its mark at the local co-operative. Fragrant, mineral and utterly charming white. Drink this year. 12.5% ref PW bottle 59 dozen 21. Old Vines in Young Hands Tinto 2014 A fragrant and supple blend from the Old Vines in Young Hands winery and one that is now a Wine Society favourite having been declared a 2013 Wine Champion in our annual blind tastings. Drink now until % ref PW bottle 69 dozen

7 22. Niepoort Vertente, Douro 2012 Vertente was first produced in 2000 to offer an approachable but nevertheless fine and ageworthy wine that would serve as an introduction to Dirk Niepoort s premium cuvées. Fragrant and poised, still with a touch of creamy oak, this has a good underlying structure and fine length. Drink now until % ref PW bottle 179 dozen 23. F The Society s LBV Port 2010 From the Symington stable, this port has benefited from cask ageing, producing a firmly flavoured wine which finishes on a sweet, ripe note. This port doesn t require decanting. Drink now until % ref PT bottle 173 dozen

PASTOR DIAZ WINES FROM LA RIOJA

PASTOR DIAZ WINES FROM LA RIOJA THE REGION The D.O. Rioja covers a large growing area straddling the banks of the River Ebro along a stretch of over 100 kilometres running from north-west to south-east