Two days before the 2nd lockdown was imposed to us, we had the opportunity to taste Spanish wines, the majority of which are not imported to Greece. Obviously we didn’t gather in a central hotel or a restaurant as we would have done in the pre-Covid era. But there are some entities or rather some people who find alternative ways to make us happy trying new things. Credits given to Spanish Embassy and specifically its enterprising commercial department that provided us with ten wines to try. So everyone was able to try them in his place and watch the whole presentation via his computer. The wines covered almost all categories of Spanish vineyard, except Sherry. We started with two Cavas, continued with three whites and ended up with five reds. Below are the wines in the order they were tasted.
Parxet Cuvee 21 Ecologico 2018 D.O. CAVA (Imported from All About Wines)
Beautiful foam in the glass, with gentle secondary aromas, that testify the short stay with the yeasts. Soft, slightly oily mouth feeling that makes this sparkling flexible even for brunch.
Laieta Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2016 Alta Alella D.O. CAVA
Typical bread crust aromas, with ripe fruit, result of 30 months aging with the lees. Dry creamy texture, with sharp acidity, that gives the wine freshness. The fine bubbles and length add extra points to a high performance set.
Sapientia Verdejo Ecologico 2018 El Lagar de Moha D.O.P Rueda
Next stop is Rueda and the Verdejo grape that emerges as one of the key strength of Spanish vineyard. Not unfairly after giving us gracious aromas of pear, nectarine and pepper in a fine body. Stone fruit with discreetly oily finish that composes a profile worthy of domestic reds.
Turonia 2019 Albarino 2019 Quinta Couselo D.O. Rias Baixas
There is no tasting of Spanish wines without Albarino since we are talking about the most important white variety of the Iberian Peninsula, which in our case appeared introverted with full of citrus aromas on the nose. Although quite young in the mouth, it has intensity, acidity and complexity that will reward in 2-3 years those who know to wait for the white wines.
Ciclic Blanc 2015 Garnacha Blanca Lagravera D.O.P. Costers del Segre
This variety gives great examples in the French South, known mainly for red wines. Here it is introduced to us in its white version and is expressed through great intensities and taste depth. Maturity combined with a slightly mineral feel puts Spain on the world map of variety and shows us a different face.
Rioja Crianza 2016 Ramon Bilbao (Imported from KP Spirits)
The first red wine comes from the country’s most famous region, enriched with earthy-herbal aromas, exuberant oaky flavors and tannins that reflect an older style.
Purgatori 2017 Familia Torres D.O. Costers del Segre (Imported from GENKA Commercial)
The distinguished Torres winery presents a wine with plenty of black fruit, dried herbs and finely crafted tannins, to celebrate its 150 years of existence. Purgatori is a remarkable representative of its Catalan origin that fully highlights the character of the Carinena and Garnacha varieties.
Partal Cepas Viejas 2017 Monastrell Bodega Balcona D.O.P. Bullas
Spain is full of hidden treasures and one of them from Valencia comes to our glasses. Monastrell (Mourvedre), also known from the “GSM” blend, gives us a generously sweet spice, pleasant animal character and few but somewhat unripe tannins.
Tinto 2015 Casa La Rad D.O.Ca Rioja
The second Rioja of this tasting set consists of three more varieties in addition to Tempranillo with Garnacha as the main one. In the mouth the spicy fruit flirts with the juicy tannins, with the acidity contributing to the balance. A wine full of energy, with a high concentration that reflects the formality of the country’s most famous wine region.
Vina Pedrosa Reserva 2016 Perez Pasquas D.O. Ribera Del Duero
Spain’s most sought-after region could not be missing from this line-up. The wines are characterized by generous dark fruit, oak intensity, and rich body just like in the case of Vina Pedrosa which retains all the above taste elements to a great extent.
We hope to have such opportunities in the future, even virtually, to further enrich our knowledge of a country that is undoubtedly extremely important for gastronomy and the wine industry. Until then Viva Espana !!!