The Flower and the bee 2011

Producer: Coto de Gomariz

Wine Name: The Flower and The Bee

Type: White

Wine Region/ Appellation:  Ribeiro

Vintage: 2011

Grape varieties: 100% Treixadura

Alcohol: 13,5 %

Guide Price: 12 GBP

Our Rating: +++++^ (5+)

About the area

The  Ribeiro  designation  of  Origin  is  in Southern Galicia, on the North-West edge of the Ourense province , where the  valleys  formed by the Miño, Avia, Arnoia and  Barbantiño rivers meet. It has 2,685 hectares of vineyards.

The  vineyards  spread over  areas of  varying  altitudes, from 75 to 400 metres above sea level, in valleys and sometimes very  steep  hillsides  on  terraces locally known as “socalcos” or “bocarribeiras” that follow the hill’s contours.

The area’s distinctive climate is due to its sheltered position and its southern location in Galicia. The land is well protected from sub-Atlantic storms and enjoys an Oceanic-Mediterranean eco-climate, making it damp with mild temperatures that reach an annual average of 14.5ºC. Its mixed Oceanic and Mediterranean climate enables the grapes to ripen whilst preserving their aroma and acidity.

The first written records about high quality wines in the Ribeiro area, the oldest wine region in Spain, were made by the Romans. Between the 16^th and the 17^th centuries, Ribeiro wines were the most popular Spanish wines in Europe. They were so highly regarded that Royalty, writers, painters and all sorts of artists demanded to have Ribeiro wine at their dining tables. 

Unfortunately, the wars between the Spanishs and the British  empires, as well as their religious disagreements slowly weakened this prosperous trade, both with the British and the Dutch, who were Galicia’s most important trading partners. That led the British to side with the Portuguese, boosting their Porto (Port) wine industry from the 18th century onwards, being detrimental to the Ribeiro area.

About the wine

Nestled on the eastern edge of Galicia, the Ribeiro DO is split by three rivers. Coto de Gomariz is located in the part of Ribeiro where the slopes overlook the Avia river and their production is made of 27 hectares. Shisteous, granitic and sandy soils, steep slopes, tiny yields and a unique microclimate make this spot ideal for growing the local varieties which include Treixadura, Godello, Loureira and Albariño. Winemakers Ricardo Carreiro and Xosé Lois Sebio introduced biodynamic principles. 

Grapes undergo selection in the vineyard by the pickers and are hand harvested into 18 kg plastic-crates. They are then sorted on tables before being transported to the winery. Once there the grapes are de-stemmed, crushed and gently pressed. The free-run juice is statically settled and fermented at low temperature in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting

Light yellow with golden reflections.

Endearingly focused and intense nose, marrying citric notes of lime, roses, freshly cut grass, and mineral notes. Easy-drinking on the palate, resh and crunchy at point of entry. Salty and and oily. Elegant bitterness at the finish, with white fruit flavours.

A very enjoyable white that will match perfectly with mussels, fried peppers or just a plate of chips.

Borsao Selección 2011

Producer: Bodegas Borsao

Wine Name: Borsao Selección Jóven

Type: Red

Wine Region/ Appellation:  Campo de Borja

Vintage: 2011

Grape varieties: 70% Garnacha (Grenache), 20% Syrah, 10% Tempranillo

Alcohol: 14,5 %

Guide Price: 5 €

Our Rating: +++++ (5)

Here is the 6th Spanish Wine under 10 Euros according to our Ranking.

About the area

The Aragonese DO of Campo de Borja is located south of the River Ebro. It is one of three DOs within the Zaragoza province along with Calatayud DO and Cariñena DO. In all three regions Garnacha is a distinguishing feature and it is certainly the main point of interest for Campo de Borja which refers to itself as  “The Grenache Empire”.

Campo de Borja has almost 7,500 hectares (20-25 Million kgs of Grapes). Garnacha represents over 60% of the plantings across the D.O. vineyards. 

The oldest vineyards in the D.O. date back to 1145 and over 2,000 of the 5,000 hectares of Garnacha are between 30 and 50 years old.

About the wine

Vineyards with an age of 15 to 25 years on stony and slimy soils of clay and limestone. Peculiar maceration over 3-4 days over a total of 10-12 days.
Separate fermentation of each variety in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of between 22º-24º C.

Tasting

Deep red hue with a purple-blue rim.

Charming aromas of blackberry, plum cake, spices and menthol.

Full bodied, muscular and concentrated. Fleshy, a wine showcasing fruit and spicy aromas. Remarkable balance on the palate, combining power and warmth. A full bodied wine that will drink well in a year or two.

Would be great with Spanish omelette, but as a Game of Thrones fan, I would really enjoy it with this pork pie.

Pago de Valdoneje 2011

Producer: Vinos Valtuille

Wine Name: Pago de Valdoneje Joven

Type: Red

Wine Region/ Appellation:  Bierzo

Vintage: 2011

Grape varieties: 100% Mencía

Alcohol: 13,5 %

Guide Price: 8 €

Our Rating: +++++ (5)

Here is the 4th Spanish Wine under 10 Euros according to our Ranking.

About the area

Bierzo is a Spanish Denominación de Origen for wines located in the northwest of the León province. The area is about 3,000 km² and has 23 municipalities.

The Romans brought agriculture to the area, introduced new crops including the Vitis vinifera vines, and new technologies such as the Roman plough. However, the greatest expansion of viticulture in the area was due to the growth monasteries in the area during the Middle Ages, specifically the Cistercians.

The Bierzo DO has a special microclimate which is beneficial for viticulture. On one hand it has a similar climate to neighbouring Galicia in regards to humidity and rainfall, and on the other hand shares parts of the hot, dry climate of the Mediterranean coast.

The average annual rainfall is just over 700 mm, and the vines receive about 2,200 hours of sunshine per year. Soils in the mountains consist of a mixture of fine elements, quartz and slate. Vineyards are planted mainly on humid, dark soils which are slightly acidic and low in carbonates. 

About the wine

Valtuille Wines has 12 hectares of old vineyards, 90 years old on average, and it stretches along Valtuille de Abajo, in the municipality of Villafranca del Bierzo. This is the heart of the Santiago Pilgrimage Route (El Camino de Santiago). These are vines, where -as in the Ribeira Sacra in Galicia- the Mencia variety is the queen. Vines are located on clay slopes that lead to a balanced ripening. The vineyard is arranged in narrow planting small plots with glass pruning, which requires manual labour.

                  

Grapes for this young wine come from 80 years old vines planted on clay soil, with sand and iron. They are harvested by hand during the last days of September and the beginning of October. The must is then fermented in stainless steel tanks.

Tasting

Deep red hue with a purple-blue rim.

Lovely pure cherry fruit on the nose, marmalade, violet sweets and chilli. Charcoal with honey notes and fresh grass. The savoury, firm palate shows good acidity. Well balanced. Strong and square tannins. Elegant bitterness. The finish is fruity and tasty.

Perfect to drink now or in a couple of years. Will be great with trout and bacon or with barbecued vegetables.

El Carro 2011

Producer: Viñedos Culturales

Wine Name: El Carro
Type: White

Wine Region/ Appellation:  Alicante  

Vintage: 2011

Grape varieties: 100% Moscatel de Alejandría (Muscat)

Alcohol: 12%

Guide Price: 9 €

Our Rating: ++++++ (6)

Here is the third Spanish Wine under 10 Euros according to our Ranking.

About the area

Vineyard located in the La Mata Natural Park in Torrevieja, a seaside city located on the Costa Blanca. This area forms part of the Alicante province, in south-eastern Spain.

The soil is originally quaternary with sandy texture, low organic matter content, a high percentage of this soil produces carbonates . The vineyards seat on coastal dunes over fossils, its high sand contents (80%) allowed ​​them to survive the phylloxera epidemic.

Using “Vigneron” Rafael Bernabé’s own words: “ If the inland Alicante vineyards are the children of the sun and light, La Mata’s vineyard is the child of the sun, the Mediterranean light and its sea breezes. This is its one great secret. “

About the wine

30 year old Vineyards, located at sea level. The producer follows Organic farming principles; it doesn’t use pesticides or synthetic products.

Grape selection takes place at the cellar. Grapes are treaded and  cold pressed with a vertical screw press.  Fermentation takes place in 500 litres new French oak barrels using yeasts. Partial malolactic fermentation takes place in barrel too. It is then aged between 4 and 6 months, half the time in 500 litre barrels and the other half in steel tanks. No batonnage.

This wine was bottled in March 2012.It was vinified with the minimal SO2 addition, using the vineyard’s own yeast, without enzymes or bacteria, no clarification and filtering, all done with the minimum intervention

Tasting

Golden yellow, slightly gold-fish color. Intense nose blending white flower, grapefruit, gunpowder, grass and fennel. 

Creamy at first, but  rapidly becomes cutting and grinding. Dry acidity, with tannins and citrus fruits. Complex. Very dry and bitter. A hurricane of feelings on the palate, vibrant, deep and persistent.

A great dry Muscat, highly recommended with pork or lamb dishes.

Albamar 2011

Producer: Xurxo Alba

Wine Name: Albamar
Type: White

Wine Region/ Appellation:  Rías Baixas

Vintage: 2011

Grape varieties: 100% Albariño

Alcohol: 13%

Guide Price: 9 €

Our Rating: ++++++ (6)

Albamar is the Best Spanish Wine under 10 Euros according to our Ranking.

About the area

See previous post about Rias Baixas

Albamar wines come from the Salnés area.

Val do Salnés (The Salnés Valley) is located on the lower reaches of river Umia and is cantered around the town of Cambados. The landscape is of low undulating hills and vineyards are planted both on the slopes and on the flat valley floors. The soil is sandy and alluvial.

About the wine

Most of the vines for the basic Albamar were planted in the 1980s, a few steps away from the sea.

After a short maceration, comes a light crush. Fermentation is done at controlled temperature and takes place in stainless steel tanks. Finally it is aged on its lees for five months.

Tasting

Light yellow and green reflections. Fresh, clean and intense nose, blending aromas of ripe citrus fruit and seaside, roses and crème brûlée . 

Fresh and clean again on the palate, vibrant. Salty. Leaves herb and mineral notes.  Excellent balance between acidity and alcohol. Deep and persistent.

A great albariño that will be the perfect companion for tuna tataki or roasted chicken.



Top 10 Wines Under 10 Euros

I have been writing a blog in Spanish for over four years (http://www.mileurismogourmet.com) . Three years ago, the idea was born on this blog to establish a Ranking -a Top Ten list - of the best affordable Spanish wines.

The plan was to set-up a limit of 10 Euros per bottle (retail Price), and where blog visitors propose wines. It had to be a Ranking made with the consumer in mind, not clouded by comercial influence or sponsorship.

From the nomination onwards, any producer was free to send their samples for a blind tasting were wines would be ranked. The 24 strong panel was formed by a group of oenologists, wine producers, wine distributors, wine journalists, bloggers and wine aficionados. Everyone had to rank all wines without knowledge of what they were drinking. All labels removed, all bottles disguised. None of the producers paid to be part of the ranking. No panel members were paid, and should they were to taste their “own” wines during the ranking, those specific scores were taken out.

Our objectives were clear: to find and promote wines with an excellent price-quality relationship. Wines that are within reach of the expert consumer that is looking for something new, as well as for the general public looking for a good bottle. Ultimately we were hoping to reach the younger generations that as of today remain far from the world of wine because it may be perceived as “expensive” or “old”.

Three years on the the Ranking has been a resounding success: over 300 participating wineries, and ample national press coverage. Most of the press highlighted that the ranking has been going on for 3 years and has created a brand and a space of its own. Today we feel it has carved its firm place as a consumer reference point.

As its natural evolution we would like to give the Ranking an international dimension, to further promote Spanish wine abroad, so we will be featuring the winners on this blog too.

Over the next few weeks, you will be seeing on Wine Gossip from Spain tasting notes about some of these Top 10 wines under 10 Euros 2012. They are real gems. You won´t be disappointed. 

Hope you enjoy them. 

Congratulations La Movida!

A few weeks ago, we were publishing our tasting notes about La Movida, a delicious Garnacha from Cebreros, and an unknown but promising project carried by Guillermo and Carlos Arenas.

Now, owing to 95 points awarded by Wine Advocate, La Movida is in fashion, and I am proud to agree with Mr. Neal Martin and reproduce here this deserved tasting notes:

The only wine that I have tasted from Bodega Maldivinas is the pure Garnacha – and it is absolutely stunning. The bodega was established in 2006 by Guillermo and Carlos Arenas in Cebreros (Avila). The 2009 La Movida is a 100% Garnacha between 60 and 80 years old from four parcels that total 4 hectares located at between 850 and 900 meters altitude, on schist and granite soils. The vines are farmed organically, the wine sees no new oak, and is bottled unfiltered. If you love Garnacha you will instantly adore the bouquet that soars from the glass with unashamed glee: ripe dark cherries, boysenberry, dill and a touch of wild fennel. It has great definition and style. It is blessed with a soft, caressing entry on the mouth that suckers you into thinking this is a tame little wine until a wave of pure, succulent earthy dark fruit crashes over the senses. Yet it remains perfectly in balance with no sense of the wine becoming overbearing on the finish. On the contrary, it is very elegant. This is one of the finest Garnachas that I have tasted from Spain (thus far). Drink 2013-2020+. WINE ADVOCATE

Congratulations Carlos and Guillermo