Spain & Portugal Tasting - 09.05.19

Vinoramica “spain and portugal tasting” – 09.05.19

Sparkling

Pinord Brut Cava + & + , Penedes, Spain NV £13.50 / £12.15 (today's price)

Macabeo / Xarello / Parellada

Made using the traditional Champagne method this also has the refreshing citrus and biscuity finish that makes it an excellent all-rounder. A touch sweeter than the Vatua!

ROSE

Indigena Adega de Penalva Rose, Dao, Portugal 2018 £10.00 / £9.00*

Touriga Nacional / Tinta Roriz (ORGANIC)

This ticked all the boxes for a Spring / Summer Rose: lively red fruit yet clean, fresh and dry. Yes!

WHITE

Piteira White, Alentejo, Portugal 2017 £12.00 / £10.80*

Diagalves / Roupeiro / Arinto

I've been really impressed by this producer, who are inland in the South of Portugal, with many ancient vines and use traditional techniques. Despite the heat, this wine has a lovely green apple, citrus freshness, with just a hint of spice.

Mica Vinho Verde, Portugal 2015 £16.00 / £14.40*

Alvarinho / Loureiro / Azal (ORGANIC)

Ever popular - particularly in the Summer - this offers all of the lime and zest that you need to keep the mouth watering, along with just a hint of sweetness. Still so fresh, even after a few years of bottle age.

Corneta Cucu, Castilla y Leon, Spain 2017 £16.00 / £14.40*

Verdejo (ORGANIC)

This is our first Verdejo to hit the shelves - a Spanish grape that I know will appeal to the Sauvignon/Chenin Blanc drinkers. This wine really does smell of fresh-cut grass and hints of the herb garden. There's a delicate spicy texture in the mouth and my recent notes read "length+++" which is always a good sign!

Reguengo Alvarinho, Moncao, Vinho Verde, Portugal 2017 £19.00 / £17.10*

Albarino

"A great example of Alvarinho (or Albarino, same as below), showing fresh and fruity aromas of apple, pear and stone fruits, combined with mineral notes and floral hints. This example is from 9 hectares in the North of the Vinho Verde region…"

Nanclares Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain 2017 £22.00 / £19.80*

Albarino (ORGANIC)

…whereas this example of Albarino is just over the border, from a very small producer in Rias Baixas.This is an extremely fresh, mineral, slightly saline example, with just a touch of sweet spice/honey. Only a few thousand bottles made.

Hiruzta Txakoli Berezia Txakol, Basque, Spain 2017 £21.00 / £18.90*

Hondarrabi Zuri, Gros Manseng

"Not quite your typical Txakoli - as this example is aged a little more than usual and blended with Gros Manseng. A rich aromatic expression of apple, grapefruit and tropical fruits, enhanced by subtle floral notes. "

Fino (not actually fortified)

Toro Albala Fino, Montilla-Moriles, Spain NV £10.50 / £9.45*

Pedro Ximinez (a grape usually used for very sweet wines, but this is bone dry)

More age than most sherries and "en rama" - meaning it's taken straight from the barrel: fresh and unfiltered. Unlike most sherry, there is no need to fortify the wine to reach 15% as there’s so much natural sweetness in the grapes.

RED

Uncondemned Medieval Wine, Lisbon, Portugal 2017 £18.00 / £16.20*

Fernao Pires / Trincadeira (ORGANIC)

A blend of red and white grapes, making it a juicy bright red wine. They do use ancient methods, from very old vines that are older than the woman than tends them. Skin contact, no filtration and aged in amphora (plus some oak). Fresh and mineral red fruit, with a touch of funk.

Nas Del Gegant, Conca de Barbera, Spain 2015 £20.00 / £18.00*

Merlot / Garnacha / Carignan / Cabernet Franc (BIODYNAMIC)

This is a Loire Valley inspired blend, but from the hills of Catalunya. Fermented in concrete and aged in Amphora, this is another fresh, fruity, sour black cherry and sweet cassis red that we'll probably chill a little.

Lacus Rioja Inedito 3/3, Rioja Baja, Spain 2017 £15.00 / £13.50*

Tempranillo / Garnacha / Graciano

A modern style of Rioja - with no oak - named as it is a blend of three grapes: Rioja stalwart Tempranillo is blended with Garnacha and Graciano. This is deliberately made in a lighter, fruitier, fresher style than most Riojas. Made in a natural style, unfiltered.

`Pruno` Ribera del Duero 2016 £17.50 / £15.75*

Tempranillo / Cabernet

Getting more full-bodied, this is classic Ribera del Duero from within the "Golden Mile" of vineyards. Really perfumed yet with a nice backbone of tannin thanks to the addition of Cabernet and a year in oak barrels.

Tandem Macula, Yerri Valley, Navarra, Spain 2013 £22.00 / £19.80*

Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot

Tandem are an ultra-modern producer in the Yerri Valley who produce wines in a traditional manner, with all of the reds aged for two years in concrete following fermentation. This is their top red wine, which is like a Spanish take on Bordeaux: an intense wine with mocha and black liquorice aromas complemented by deep earthy and savoury notes on the palate.

Piteira Red, Alentejo, Portugal 2017 £12.00 / £10.80*

Moreto, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet

This is so juicy and full of ripe red berries and sweet spice, with just about the smoothest tannins you'll ever find. This is guaranteed to be a hit over the summer, an easy quaffer that will match just about any BBQ fare that you throw at it.

GA Pe Franco 2015 £22.00 / £19.80*

Moreto

This is the Piteria's big brother, from ancient ungrafted vines. Sarah Ahmed said it quite well: “A deliciously heady yet balanced red with spicy, slightly medicinal layers to its hedonistic squelchy plums/plum skin, red cherry jam and blueberry fruit. Drip-feed of dried lavender, coltsfoot, red liquorice, clove, catering chocolate and honeyed fig. Deep and lingering. Plenty of bang for your buck.“

*offer take away price on Thursday 9th May