Sue Ray Uncorked

The show featured 2 self-pour tastings: “The White Revolution” - a snapshot of some of the new and exciting styles coming from Galicia in the north to Alicante in the south, and “Around Spain in 60 Wines” – a tour of the various Spanish wine regions to demonstrate the range of styles and varietals available.

 

There were 2 masterclasses: “Uncommon varieties; Less common origins” – where Sarah Jane Evans MW presented 8 wines to illustrate the innovation of new wave Spanish wines, and “The Evolution of Sherry” led by Beltrán Domecq who provided a useful insight into the creation and development of Sherry.

 

Lunch was provided by Tapas Revolution who created some signature dishes from Spanish Celebrity Chef, Omar Allibhoy.  Born in Madrid and trained by the world renowned Ferran Adrià of El Bulli, Omar opened the first Tapas Revolution in London in 2010.

 

Some highlights of the day are as below:

 

Importer: de Vinos Tast España UK / Co-Founder: Bruno Murciano

Bodega: Canals Canals / Owner & Winemaker: Ramon Canals

 

Founded by Bruno Marciano and Luis Sanz in 2013, de Vinos is an independent UK wine importer which specialises in Spanish wines. 

 

Bodega Canals Canals was founded in 1978 by Miquel Canals Ollé and is now run by third generation, Ramon Canals.  Their wine cellars date back to 1903 and they produce premium cava and wine from their own grapes with some vines over 40 years old.  The bodega is located in Castellví de Rosanes, in the Penedès Denomination of Origin, close to Barcelona.

 

Cava Marta Passió Reserva Brut 2014 - DO Cava

35% Macabeo, 30% Parellada, 30% Xarel-lo, 5% Garnacha Tinta

Marta is the name of Ramon’s sister.  This beautiful cava is a delicate salmon pink with ripe strawberries on the nose.  Around 20,000 bottles are produced annually.

 

Cava Marta Reserva Brut 2014 – DO Cava

50% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada

This cava has soft ripe citrus aromas and flavours and complementing acidity.  Around 25,000 bottles are produced annually. 

 

Cava Duran Gran Reserva Brut 2012  - DO Cava

30% Xarel-lo, 25% Chardonnay, 25% Macabeo, 20% Parellada

Cava Duran includes 25% Chardonnay in the blend.  Duran is the surname of Ramon’s grandmother.  This cava is more complex, richer and fuller with refreshing acidity.

 

Importer: Barwell & Jones

Business Development Manager: Tim Gray

Bodega: Castillo Perelada /Brand Ambassador: Patrice Lesclaux

 

Barwell & Jones was established in 1758 and is a wine agency which specialises in representing premium family-owned producers from all over the world. 

 

Bodega Castillo Perelada has been making wine since the middle ages and day to day operations are now managed by Javier Suqué Mateu, third generation of the Suqué Mateu family.  The bodega produces a wide range of wines and cava and is situated in the small village of Perelada, 60km south of Perpignan and just north of Girona. 

 

Stars Brut Nature 2014 – DO Cava

55% Parellada, 25% Macabeo, 20% Xarel-lo

Aged for 12 months on the lees, this elegant cava is full bodied with white flowers and ripe peach.

 

Stars Touch of Rosé Brut 2014 – DO Cava

90% Garnacha, 10% Pinot Noir

Also aged for 12 months on the lees prior to disgorging, this cava has a delicate onion skin colour, a fine mousse and plenty of ripe red fruit.

 

Every summer since 1978, Castillo Perelada has hosted one of the biggest music festivals in Europe.  The Stars range of cava was created to reflect the artists who perform year after year and shine “like the stars of the Empordà sky”.

 

Exporter: Izarmendi Txakolindegia / Contact: Mikel Gutierrez

 

HIKA Txakolina is a young winery located in the Amasa-Villabona area of the Basque Country in northern Spain.  With 13 hectares of vineyards, they aim to produce wines which are clean, fresh and reflect the local terroir. 

 

Hika 2016 – DO Chacolí de Guetaria-Getariako Txakolina

80% Hondarrabi Zuri, 20% Chardonnay

From vineyards close to the coast, this young aromatic wine was fermented in stainless steel at a low temperature and kept on the lees prior to bottling.  It is lovely and fresh, a touch salty with a slight spritz and has mouth-watering acidity, ripe citrus and a long finish.

 

Exporter: Vino Camino Soria

Director & General Manager: José Luis Sanz

 

Vino Camino Soria is a small bodega in the Ribera del Duero which produces exclusively red wines from the indigenous Tinta del Pais grape (also known as Tempranillo).  The bodega is owned and run by former Aeronautical Engineer, José Luis Sanz, who left his corporate career to pursue his dream of creating great wines from his own land.  Production is limited to 15,000 bottles per vintage from vines located at an altitude of 900m in calcareous-limestone soils.  

 

Camino Soria Crianza 2014 – DO Ribera del Duero

100% Tinta del Pais

Aged in barrel for 12 months, this wine has good acidity, ripe strawberries and blackberries and a hint of spice.

 

Camino Soria Selected Vintage 2014 – DO Ribera del Duero

100% Tinta del Pais

From some of the best sites in the vineyard and aged for 18 months in new French oak, this wine is more intense and complex.  With jammy black fruit, a touch of balsamic and black pepper, it is elegant, yet powerful and spicy, with a good length.  

 

Exporter: Bodegas Bocopa / Contact: Karine Jurado

 

Bodegas Bocopa is a co-operative located in Petrer in the Communitat Valenciana which produces cava and wine under various labels and at different price points.  With 2,500 hectares of vineyard and 7 associated winemakers, the co-operative produces approximately 40% of the wine under the Alicante Denomination of Origin.    

 

Laudum Roble 2015

70% Monastrell, 30% Syrah

From Monastrell vines of over 40 years old and 15 year old Syrah vines, this wine was aged for 4 months in new French, Hungarian and American oak.  It is complex with ripe black fruit, sweet spice, dates, figs and a long silky finish.

 

I personally love Spanish wines.  I believe they offer a vast range of styles and varietals often at very competitive prices.  I enjoyed some beautiful cava today - which I would encourage you to seek out.  It should be remembered that cava is made by the traditional method – the same as Champagne, with the second fermentation in the bottle - and often from the same grapes.  As such, it represents excellent value for money given the love, care and attention that goes into its production.    

 

In terms of white wines, Galicia and the north are producing some amazingly fragrant whites.  I tried a beautiful Spanish Gewürztraminer in “The White Revolution” - Colección Gewürztraminer 2016, Viñas del Vero – DO Somontano from the foothills of the Pyrenees in north-east Spain.  Extremely aromatic with aromas of rose petals and violet, followed by ripe lychees, honey and a touch of spice, it was simply gorgeous!

 

As for reds, by all means continue to enjoy your favourites from Rioja and Ribera, but why not seek out some of the new offerings from lesser known wine regions such as Valencia, Alicante, Jumilla, Utiel-Requena, Montsant, Toro and Costers del Segre which are all producing some interesting varietals and innovative styles. 

 

Enjoy exploring Spain and thanks to Wines of Spain for another fabulous tasting.

 

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