A Taste of Wine
Hola, mi amigos. In preparation
for a vacation in Spain in the dis-
tant future, I am learning to speak
Spanish. (I am using the language
program from Rosetta Stone and
believe it is absolutely fantastic.
My progress in a very short while
has truly surprised me.) In honor of my interest in Spain,
this monthʼs article features six major Spanish red wines
to get a basic understanding of what the country has to
offer.
Uno) Young Tempranillo - A juicy and spicy style of
Tempranillo that typically receives less than a year of ag-
ing. Because these wines are not aged long, they are spicy,
fleshy and tart. Most value-driven Tempranillo tastes this
way and the most well-known is Rioja Crianza.
Dos) Aged Tempranillo - Bold high tannin wines that
embellish Tempranilloʼs best qualities that are aged for
several years in oak and bottle. The aging of Tempranillo
softens the varietyʼs spiciness and flavors become almost
sweet and dried. The extended cost of aging explains
why this style typically costs more. Look for wines la-
beled with “Reserva” and “Gran Reserva.”
Tres) Young Garnacha - Garnacha is known as Gr-
enache in France, but the grape originated in Spain. This
fresh and juicy style of Garnacha is a bouquet of sweet
red fruit and a smooth iced tea like finish. Youʼll find this
style of Garnacha in Northern Spain close to the border
of France in the encompassing regions of Aragon and
Navarra. Young Garnacha typically makes a wonderfully
candied red fruit flavored Sangria.
Cuatro) Fine Garnacha - High end Garnachas are bold
and complex with high tannin and dark raspberry flavors.
These wines are aged longer and typically come from
older vineyards. You can find single varietal Garnacha
around Madrid, where old vines in high elevation vine-
yards produce concentrated wines. In Spain, blended
Garnacha is matched with Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon,
Merlot and Cariñena and delivers bolder styles with
blackberry and licorice.
Cinco) Monastrell - Monastrell is the same wine as
Mourvédre in France, but it is actually a wine of Spanish
origin. Wines are intensely bold with high tannin, black
fruit and black pepper flavors. This wine is primarily
produced in Central Spain from the Mediterranean coast
in Valencia to inland to La Mancha on the central pla-
teau. The more aging in oak, the more mocha, chocolate
and vanilla notes the wine will have.
Seis) Bobal - A relatively unknown grape to the US
due to very little importations, Bobal is known mostly in
Central Spain where it is prized for its deep opaque pur-
ple color, high tannins and black fruit flavors. The wines
were once studied and characterized as having higher
levels of resveratrol. Since the wine does have ample
tannin, be sure to pair with a richly flavored meat.
Happy tasting!
– Nancy Biggs
Wine Aficionada
Celebrating 13 Years in the Country Club
~ Thank You!
“When you expect the best”
Joan DeLabio & Annie
pccnews
November 2017
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