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Tag Archives: Spain

Yoo Hoo … I’m here.

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

The grapes for Faustino Organic comes from three ecologically cultivated vineyards. And the vines are  30 years old. 

It’s intense … but subtle.  Cherry red colour. Red fruit aromas. VERY pleasant with round tannins and a fruity aftertaste.

Serve it cool (7 – 10 C) to get the most out of it.

It goes with the flow of conversation, but will softly interrupt to say “I’m here and part of this get together”, and then go quiet again until it reminds you again that it’s there.  

Most enjoyable with soups, scallops, or homemade pizza.   It goes on the second list of great finds.

RIOJA – FAUSTINO ORGANIC WINE

$15.99 regularly $19.99

14% alcohol

UPC: 08410441112002

mystery case Spain Tempranillo

Extremes

Posted on December 13, 2022 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Located 40 miles south of Madrid, the Castilla-La Mancha autonomía lies in the heart of Spain. The majority of wine production relies on the varieties Cencibel—a regional clone of Tempranillo—as well as Airén, a relatively neutral white grape that thrives in this hot and arid region. 

Here we have a continental climate, with large changes in temperature between hot and cold months, or even on different days. There are around 300 to 400mm of rain a year in this desert region. The soil mostly consists of dark, red sand clays, with a high amount of calcium in the subsoil. Soil retains moisture well and is an important part of healthy plant growth. Thanks to the high sunshine hours and temperature in this region, wines are typically ripe and higher than average alcohol level.

This Viura (aka Macabeo) gives us a crisp, fresh, aromatic, fruity white wine with clean herbaceous notes. It’s a good alternative to Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. I One of the best ways to drink Viura is alongside food. The wine’s medium to higher acidity and subtle bitterness make it work very well as a palate cleanser matching perfectly with with southeast Asian food, fish tacos, chicken, mild cheeses (e.g. Manchego, pecorino, feta), vegetables, tapas.  

We worked with lemon chicken souvlakis.

VINO DE LA TIERRE DE CASTILLA – VIVANCO PRENSA REAL

$8.99

12% alcohol

UPC: 08421735002060 

Airen mystery case Spain Viura

Highly versatile

Posted on December 6, 2022 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Bobal is a dark-skinned wine grape variety native to Utiel-Requena in southeast Spain. It is one of Spain’s most planted grape varieties behind Tempranillo and Airén.

Thick skins, late budding and drought resistance have made Bobal well-suited to the dry, continental landscape.

High levels of acidity in the grape make Bobal a versatile variety: it is used to make deeply colored rosé wines and has even been used to produce sparkling wine. Rosé wines made using the variety can reach a level of complexity that suggests it has great promise when put to this use.

Bobal’s thick skins have a high amount of anthocyanins, giving the wine a deep, intense color as well as a good tannic structure. This trait is played up by winemakers who commonly use a technique known as doble pasta, where the grape skins left over from rosé production are added to the red grape must. This concentrates tannins and color further, leading to an intensely structured red wine.

Fresh, fruity and balanced, smooth and with a long finish.

So versatile that one night it went with veal, and then chicken the next.

Bobal Rosado Sierra Salinas

$9.99 regularly $10.99

12% Alcohol

UPC: 

08420202250270

Bobal mystery case Spain

List Climber

Posted on December 3, 2022 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Menade was the very first estate in Rueda to turn organic. They clearly understand their terroir and as a result, they are producing lovely, new wines from specific parcels.

Citrus, passion fruit, grapefruit… The ideal wine for any evening. Dry and aromatic. Unoaked, fresh, light-bodied and crisp.

Verdejo from organic vineyards that are between 80 and 100 years old. In lees for 3 months.

Harmonious on the palate, with a rich, mouth-filling texture. The long lingering flavours of grapefruit, lemon peel and mandarin are enhanced by a well-balanced acidity.

Heading for the top of the list of “buy more”

RUEDA VERDEJO – MENADE 2021

$23.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 08437008963075

mystery case Rueda Spain Verdejo

Regional Standards

Posted on August 11, 2022 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

VQA

When you enter a LCBO store and you come across the section that sells Canadian wine, you see two categories; VQA and Cellared in Canada.

“Cellared In Canada” which essentially means that the wine can be made from any grapes sourced from any part of the world.

The standards for the VQA designation are among the most stringent in a world. Wineries must apply and meet standards set for record keeping productions methods and vinification procedures.

The Four Major Categories of Italian Wine 

  • Vino da Tavola (VdT) literally “table wine”
  • Vino a Indicazione Geografica (IGT) ‘geographic location’ 
  • Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)  ‘controlled designation of origin’
  • Vino a Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) ‘controlled and guaranteed designation location’ renc

 wine classification system for designating quality wines, spirits, and other products. 

 IGP (Indication Géographique Protégée or Vin de Pays) 

covers larger regions and has a much looser set of rules or restrictions, and so it can be made with any grape variety. 

Vin de France (or Vin de Table)

considered the lowest or most basic French wine classification. 

SPAIN

Spanish Wine Classification System 
Spain has four “quality” wine or “regulated” classifications, the most common terms being DO and DOC. The appellation classification system is somewhat similar in format to both France and Italy. Spain also has two “unregulated” label designations referred to as “country wine” and “table wine.”

Denominación de Origen (DOC)

This is the most strict Spanish wine classification that is pretty analogous to Italy’s DOCG classification. Only the designated regions of Rioja and Priorat have captured this top label honor to date.

Denominación de Origen (DO)

Spanish wines with the DO designation let you know that the wines are sourced only from the designated growing regions and have met specific criteria and quality standards.

These wines represent good quality wines from over 60 indicated Spanish wine regions. Penedès, Rías Baixas, and Ribera del Duero are some popular DO-designated wine hotspots.

Vino de la Tierra

Used for categorizing and naming Spanish wines that are not in DO-designated growing regions. The label designation “Vino de la Tierra” romantically translates to “wines of the land” or “country wines.”

These wines can offer outstanding quality and super value, as they are not confined to the strict and often costly governmental classifications.

Vino de Mesa

Wines that don’t fall into the above categories are relegated to “table wine” status, and labeled under this quite literal term, “Vino de Mesa.” These wines typically do not include a region, grape or specific vintage on the label.

Italian Categories mystery case Spain VQA

All good things come to an end

Posted on April 25, 2022 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

But, fortunately, they are repeatable!


Another Mystery Case from the Goddess came to a close over the weekend as an Up Island Friend was stopping over on his way home from a 5 week sojourn. Of course, there was wine with dinner.  Pasta, not traditional Lamb.


As it turned out, we enjoyed two reds (Spain and Chile) and they were from two ends of the spectrum.


Spain First – 33 year old vines in the La Montesa vineyard – 95% Granacha and a 5% assortment of traditional varieties including Tempranillo and Mazuelo..  Ecological vinticulture produces a very juicy, balanced, bright and lively to go-with-the pasta-and-conversation.


The second was a lovely medium to light bodied red blend,  soft tannins.  75% Cinsault, 25% Pais brought out a lovely freshness. Old vines both, and from different parts of the Valley.  


Maule is one of Chile’s most extensive valleys and has the largest production of wine grapes, but the Secano Interior sector merits special note for the large number of old País and Carignan vineyards still managed using the same techniques inherited from the Spanish Conquistadors—head-trained, low density, and dry farmed to adapt to this area with hot, dry summers and granitic, red clay soils.


País is a variety introduced in Chile by the Spanish conquerors during the 16th century. Cinsault was introduced in Chile during the 1940s to compensate the lack of color and structure of País. When both varieties are blended together, they give life to fresh and light wines.

Both had a gentleness to them that we really enjoyed.

Don’t worry. We have more reviews to catch up on, and we will soon be seeing the Goddess for another Mystery Case!


Finca La Montesa Monte Verga

$33.95

14% Alcohol


CINSAULT PAIS- MORANDE VALLE DEL MAULE 2019

$16.99 regularly $19.99

13% alcohol

UPC: 07804449013125

Chile Cinsault Pais La Montesa mystery case Spain

Delicious by another name

Posted on October 2, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

The warm South of Spain, Jumilla Region, produces this delicious 100% organic Monastrell (if you were next door in France you’d call the grape Mourvedre).


Our award winner has no added sulphurs.


Crisp but not intense, and very full bodied. The tannins are smooth and well integrated, giving a very more-ish finish – as in … give me more.


Delicious with game. Served room temperature (warm). Excellent choice.

Carta Roja Selection Reservada  Monastrell

$19.99

Jumilla Monastrell mystery case Spain

Ribs or Pizza

Posted on May 29, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Calatayud is a DO wine region in the southwest of the Aragon, northern Spain – located about 90 km from the provincial capital, Zaragoza. This arid area of rolling hills is almost entirely encircled by the Sistema Ibérico, a vast system of ranges which separate it from all those areas of Spain sitting to the south and west of the mountains and massifs. Calatayud borders the Carinena DO to the east.


The flavours of this 93 pointer are rich and intense.  We like the 35% Tempranillo 65% Granache balance.


Dinner of slow baked short ribs didn’t quite come up to the usual standards of recipes from the Best of Bridge cookbooks.  Good, but not quite company worthy. Just a little lacklustre. Next time for this red, I think I’d do our House home made pizza.

Hint to the Goddess: What about some of the whites from this region?

CALATYUD GARNACHA TEMPRANILLO – SAN GREGORIO LOMA GORDA 2018

$16.99 regularly $19.99

15% Alcohol

UPC: 00626990326700

Calatyud Granacha mystery case Spain Tempranillo

Don’t think Bubble Gum

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir Leave a comment

Strangely this reminds me warm days on the deck waiting for Mr. Bee to show up to see what’s for dinner.


Just like the summers, it’s dry, fresh, and balanced.   Lovely long finish.  Proof there are good values under $10 in wine.


Have it on it’s own, or serve with any of the usual bad boys: smoked meats, soft cheeses, seafood.


The South of Spain produces a lot of the native Bobal grape.  Gently pressed, decanted, then transferred to ferment in steel.


Bobal Rosado – Sierra Salinas


$8.49 regularly $9.49

12% alcohol

UPC: 08420202250270

Bobal mystery case Rose Sierra Salinas Spain

Double Trouble

Posted on September 18, 2020 by Roger Harmston Posted in Terroir 1 Comment

This one over delivers with a nice blend of Grenache, Mataro, and Monastrell from the Jumilla region of Spain – on the south eastern, Mediterranean side. It’s hot and dry, but they’ve been growing grapes here since Roman Times.

JUMILLA – CASTILLO DE MADAX RED BLEND

Alcohol:  13%

UPC:  08436005760601
Now comes the part that’s surprising.  $7.99, on sale from $9.99

Definitely worthy of another trip back to get more to stowaway over the seasons change for when you need a quick lift to go with a hearty meal.  A certain someone will probably buy a case for unsuspecting relatives that drop in.

Was still thinking about Herr Stein when I making this selection.  The Goddess of Wine was on a well deserved break away from her tribe, so I was on my own with this – and my training wheels got a little wobbly.  

If His Impatience has sneaked a sample before the meal was on the table, he would have been disappointed in the organic choice.  

It was the blend that got my attention: 70% Aglianico, 20% Cab Savignon and 10% Syrah.


Once dinner was served and we poured more, things really changed.  REALLY changed.

Warm. Rich and avery nice structure gets you through your first taste. Now the Aglianico grape really had my attention. Slides down almost like velvet.


I’d like to try this with something a little gamey – maybe venison.


CASTEL DEL MONTE – TORMARESCA TRENTANGELI ORGANIC 2016

UPC:  08026530000862

14% alcohol

$22.99

Castillo de Madax Jumilla mystery case organic Spain Trentangeli
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