Spanish Wine

The third largest country in production, Spain ranks first in land under vine. Diversity and innovation are the key factors bringing Spain back into the world wine market.
The most popular red varieties of Spain include Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). Whites don’t garner quite as much recognition, but there are some regional varieties not to be missed, like Albarino and Verdejo. The popular red regions of Spain include Rioja, known for its outstanding wines of the Tempranillo grape; Ribera del Duero, producing high quality reds from Tempranillo and Garnacha; Galacia, with the sub-region of Rias Baixas, home to the deliciously crisp and floral Albarino grape; and Priorat, a region increasing in popularity with its high-quality cult reds. Other regions of note are Rueda, growing the Verdejo grape, La Mancha, a wide desert region, covered in the most planted white variety in the world, Airen, and Jumilla, making wines based on Monestrell (Mourvedre).

Spain’s wine laws are based on the Denominacion de Origen (DO) classification system, devised in the 1930’s. A four tiered system, the most basic level is Vina de Mesa (table wine) followed by Vino de la Tierra (country wine), DO and at the top DOC. Currently, only Rioja and Priorat have DOC status, while over 55 Dos scatter the country.

Most DO regions are classified and regulated by how long they age the wines. On a red wine label, one may find the terms Crianza, Reserva or Gran Reserva, denoting the wine’s barrel and bottle time. Crianza is usually two years between barrel and bottle (the time in each depends on the DO and/or the winemaker), Reserva up to 4 years and Gran Reserva 5 – 6 years. Classifications of each region and wine are controlled by the region’s Consejo Regulador.

Bordeaux Red Blends

The Fab Five – Bordeaux

With so much history under its belt, it’s no wonder that Bordeaux has figured out the recipe to produce amazing wines. Centuries of making (and drinking) wine has led them to the blend that has become synonomous with Bordeaux. Winemakers in the New World replicated this formula and have created successful blends in their respective areas – you may see Bordeaux blends from the US labeled Meritage (rhymes with heritage).
Bordeaux Notable Facts
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. These five red grapes are the components of a Bordeaux blend. Cabernet Sauvignon and/or Merlot are usually play the lead role, while Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot act as the supporting cast. These three grapes help to add color, structure and body in varying amounts. A Bordeaux blend typically, but not exclusively, uses at least three of the five grapes to be labeled as such. The beauty of the blend? Each year the percentage of each grape in the blend can vary and the winemaker can include more of the variety that excelled in that particular vintage.

Summing it up

Successful Sites:
Bordeaux, California, Australia, Washington

Catena Zapata 2005

“The flagship wines begin with the purple/black-colored 2005 Nicolas Catena Zapata, a blend of 78% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Malbec. The fruit was sourced from four of the estate’s finest high-elevation vineyards, and aged for 24 months in 100% new French oak. The brooding bouquet delivers pain grille, mineral, violet, scorched earth, pepper, espresso, black cherry, and black raspberry aromas leading to a dense, opulent wine with gobs of savory fruit, ripe tannins, terrific concentration, and a 60-second finish. Allow it 6-8 years in the cellar to reveal its full potential and enjoy it from 2015 to 2030.”

$109.00

Riedel Amadeo Lyra Decanter

Riedel decanters combine sophistication and elegance with optimal shapes for aeration. Decanting old wines, just a few moments before they are served, helps to ensure that the wine’s clarity and brilliance are not obscured by any deposit that may have developed over time. Decanting young wines several hours before they are served gives the wine a chance to bloom and attain a stage of development that normally requires years of aging.

The Limited Edition Riedel Amadeo Lyra Decanter is a masterpiece of mouthblown glass art, in 24% lead crystal, created to commemorate Riedel’s 250th Birthday. Because they are mouthblown by only the most experienced master glass blowers, no two decanters are exactly alike. It’s the ultimate in a luxury decanter.

The decanter stands 13 7/8″ high, and holds 59 1/8 oz.

The bottle pictured in the background is for size representation only. Wine sold separately and encouraged for best enjoyment of glassware. $395.00

Riedel Sommeliers Individual Bordeaux Grand Cru Glass

The Sommeliers is now the wine glass benchmark and the most successful series of hand-made glasses in the world. Each glass is meticulously hand-crafted to showcase the best characteristic of a specific wine, allowing you to truly experience the wine’s bouquet, taste, balance and finish.

The Sommeliers Bordeaux Grand Cru gives breathing space to both young and more mature wines, unpacking the various layers of bouquet and delivering a full spectrum of aromas. On the palate, the texture of the wine – soft, silky, velvety – is intensified and the finish prolonged, gently blending acidity with supple, sweet tannins. This is a glass that showcases these majestically structured red wines in all their complexity and finesse.

The Sommeliers Bordeaux glass has a generous bowl that is ideally suited for the appreciation of full bodied red wines such as Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Rioja and Cabernet Franc.

Each glass stands 10 5/8″ high, holds 30 3/8 oz and is sold individually.

The bottle pictured in the background is for size representation only. Wine sold separately and encouraged for best enjoyment of glassware.

$95.99