Makers of historic sweet wines rejoice. Gen Z adores you.
The message my students are sending to the makers of the world’s historic sweet wines amounts to a love letter. My passion for these historic wines can only be described as a love affair.
All posts tagged: Spain
Cava – a Spanish Wine Category in Transition
The Cava wine category is evolving from its origins as a Denominación de Origen (DO) to the inception of five sparkling wine designations that are in use today: Conca del Riu Anoia, Clàssic Penedès, Corpinnat, Cava de Paraje Calificado, and Espumoso de Calidad de Rioja. These designations seek to improve the overall quality and global image of Spanish sparkling wine by focusing more on terroir and establishing higher standards—for aging, for production, for winegrowing, and more—than the original Cava DO traditionally has.
Bobal: Past, Present and Future (Chinese translation)
Chinese translation by Rex Ting-chia Ting, DipWSET Rex Ting-chia Ting, DipWSET has translated Bobal: Past, Present and Future for those who read Chinese. Enjoy!
Five Reasons to Love Grenache, Garnacha Blanc and Gris (Chinese translation)
A hearty welcome to the site for Rex Ting-chia Ting, DipWSET who has translated Five Reasons to Love Grenache Garnacha Blanc and Gris for those who read Chinese.
Bobal: Past, Present and Future
Iron Age wineries tamed the ancestor of the indigenous Bobal vines of Utiel-Requena.
Five reasons to love Grenache /Garnacha Blanc and Gris
In northeastern Spain, Garnacha Blanca can predominately be found in the regions of Calatayud, Campo de Borja, Cariñena and Somontano but the Terra Alta PDO has the treasure trove with 1400 hectares of old vine Garnacha Blanca under vine. That amounts to one-third of the vines grown worldwide and growing as new plantings are on the rise.
Edetària: Benchmark wines of Catalonia’s Terra Alta DO
Terra Alta is the most westerly of Catalonia’s DOs which are clustered around Barcelona and include Alella, Conca de Barberá, Costers del Segre, Empordà (on the border of France), Montsant, Penedés, Plà de Bagés, Priorat (DOPQ) and Tarragona. Both Cataluña and Cava are broader designations that also apply to the Catalonia region.
Rioja’s Enotourism Ready
Interested in exploring the Spanish wine region of Rioja? I’ve got some firsthand, no-fail recommendations for tasting, dining, accommodations and cultural enrichment. If you begin your stay in Haro, there’s really no need to drive if you want to visit the eight wineries clustered around the historic Haro train station. They’re all within comfortable walking distance of the town center although most of the Spanish tourists I spotted were driving and taking advantage of the ample parking. The winery tasting rooms that I visited in Haro – La Rioja Alta, Muga, CVNE and Bodegas Bilbainas – and those at outlying wineries – Marqués de Riscal, Bodega Dinastia Vivanco, Torre de Ona – are all stylish, comfortably appointed and well equipped for English speaking guests. Muga’s tasting room was stocked with high-quality goods and teaming with eager shoppers who were offered gracious and informed hospitality. Walk-in tasting fees at CVNE were very modest and I had a quiet table to taste all eight wines on offer at my own pace. Lunch time, however, can pose a challenge as all the restaurants …
Taste of Ribera del Duero
Deborah Parker Wong, AIWS presents four to six wines from the DO Ribera del Duero in a free tasting designed to engage and educate wine enthusiasts at every level. Home to the famous Vega Sicilia and Tinto Pesquera bodegas, the Ribera del Duero appellation occupies a rocky plain midway between Madrid and the northern coast of Spain. Tempranillo dominates the arid vineyards of the Ribera del Duero, representing 95% of all wine production, but other grapes such as grenache, cabernet sauvignon, and malbec also play a vital role in the region’s winemaking production. While steeped in a rich and illustrious history, the Ribera del Duero is a relatively young D.O. with just as many internationally acclaimed producers as hidden, off-the-radar gems. Great wine can be had for almost any price and the quality here remains consistently high across the board from this “river bank of the Duero.” The 2012 consumer campaign includes wines from the following producers. Wines are provided based on availability. 2009 Monteabellon “Avaniel” 2009 Creta 2009 Vina Sastre 2008 Finca Villacreces “Pruno” 2008 Aalto 2008 Emilio Moro “Malleolus” 2010 …