Spanish wine Spanish grapes
More and more importers are insisting the label contain the grape name on the bottle.
A wine without the grape name(s) suffers from sluggish sales in the American market.
Of course some Spanish producers still embrace the tradition of listing the village,
rather than the grape. Here is the skinny on wine grapes grown in Spain.
Take into consideration these details about Spanish
wine grapes: the three most prominent red grapes are tempranillo, garnacha, and monastrell,
(of course you will find some cabernet sauvignon and merlot too, but these two grapes
are not indigenous.)
Tempranillo is a lighter bodied red grape with softer tannins
and flavors of cherries, milk chocolate, and a little bit of gun metal. Rioja features tempranillo
and sometimes a splash of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, or garnacha (grenache). Tempranillo can also
be called Cencibel, Valdepeñas, Ull de Llebre" (eye of the hare) Tinta de País, Tinto Fino,
Tinta de Toro and Tinto de Madrid. Don't even get me started on how many names it has in Portugual.
This extremely adaptive grape has been grown on Iberian soil for thousands of years. Each region
has its own name for it. Tempranillo, like sangiovese, does not thrive well outside of its home land.
Garnacha (a.k.a. grenache) is the most widely planted red grape
in Europe and the second most in Spain. Full bodied, low tannins, good acid with notes of red
raspberries and sun dried tomatoes. A popular grape in Priorato and Ribera del Duero.
In France, it is called grenache. It is the most widely planted red grape in the Southern Rhone
Valley. Chateauneuf du Pape (French) is usually made from a majority grenache.
Monastrell (a.k.a. mourvedre or mautaro) is another full
bodied red grape with notes of blueberries, raspberries, and spice. It can be tannic, but
the concentration of fruit flavors usually overwhelm the tannins. It is known for its dark
purple color and spicy nose. Mourvedre has been transplanted well beyond the Mediterranean and
you can often find bottles of old vine mourvedre from California.
As far as white grapes are concerned you will
find chardonnay and sauvignon blanc too, but these two grapes are not indigenous.
Indigenous grapes include, Airen, which is a workhorse grape that is grown in huge qualities.
It is often is blended with other white grapes.
Albarino is an elegant white grape similar in flavor to viognier, (many think they are close relatives). Flavors of apricots, melon, and honeysuckle are abundant in this floral wine. Softer acidity make a fuller bodied white.
Verdejo is a white grape with a citrus canvas. A good substitute for those who like pinot grigio. Verdejo is the main grape grown in Rueda. Verdejo has an interesting history that goes back over 1,000 years in Spain.
You will notice that none of these grapes are mainstream (or at least not in our market). One of the things that it is so impressive about Spain is there is not a big movement to pull up their native grapes, to plant more chardonnay and merlot to export to the United States. For those of us who like a little diversity, we applaud them.
Case Discounts
Libations Wine & Spirits offers 10% discount on all cases of wine mix or match.
Join us most Wednesdays to sample wine, beer, and spirits in-store, at no charge.
Every Wednesday from 4:30pm to 7:00pm we pour samples for you.
Join us on selected Fridays too.
Upcoming Tasting Events
October 21, 2009
Great Spanish Wines!
Juan Gil Jumilla Red $14.99
91 points Robert Parker
Vega Del Castillo Tempranillo $9.49
Vega Del Castillo Grenacha $9.49
Beryna Alicante $19.99
94 points
October 28, 2009
Scary Wines (okay, scary labels, the wine is tasty)
"Anarkos" Vigneto Puglia Italian Blend $12.49
"The Velvet Devil" Washington State Merlot
from Charles Smith Winery $11.49
"Apothic" Red Blend $11.99
"Vampire" Merlot or Pinot Noir $10.99
"EVIL" Australian Cabernet $11.49
November 4,2009
Mountain Wines Distributors
Macmurray Pinot Gris $16.49
89 points Robert Parker
Bridlewood Chardonnay $12.99
Apothic Red Blend $13.99
As always, you will receive a 15% discount on wines,
and a 10% discount on beers during all tasting events!
SPECIAL PRICING DURING TASTING HOURS
Wednesday tasting hours are 4:30 to 7:00 pm.
Each sample is a one ounce portion to adults 21 and older.
Limit four different samples per person.
Libations Wine and Spirits is a full service liquor store serving
Aurora, Parker, Centennial, Tallyn's Reach, Saddle Rock,
Pride's Crossings, Shenandoah, Park Villas, Inverness, Meadow Hills, Foxfield,
Cottonwood, Pleasant Run, Heritage Eagle Bend and Littleton, Colorado area.
Libations has a comprehensive wine inventory, award winning beer selections,
all of your favorite spirits and few unusual items as well.
Whether you are driving from the DTC, (Denver Tech Center), downtown Denver, Parker,
Aurora, Castle Rock, Franktown or Inverness, Libations is on your way home.
We are located in Southeast Aurora, near Cherry Creek Reservoir, at Arapahoe Crossings.
Our staff are knowledgeable about wine, beer, liqueurs, and spirits, and are
always eager to serve you.
You must be 21 years or older to shop at Libations Wine & Spirits.
Libations Wine & Spirits
Arapahoe & Parker Roads
Northeast corner at Arapahoe Crossings
6554 South Parker Road, Aurora, Colorado 80016
Monday - Saturday, 10am to 10pm
Sunday from 11am to 6pm
Phone: 303-766-0575
info@libationswines.com
libationswines.com
coupon
