My.Spanish.Wine

19/04/2023

Perinet is a "modern winery located in a very traditional region" of Priorat.

However, the quality of their wines can surpass those more traditional players we all heard about. Their 2016 Perinet Priorat is an excellent expression of licorella soils with beautiful complexity and good aging potential. 🍷

But the real gem we tried was a Clos Maria Blanc 2016 from their parcel in Montsant that demonstrated true Priorat profile. Made of Garnacha Blanca, this wine had complex flavors of dry ananas, apricot and petrolium with oily texture and a taste for more.

Very comfortable and picturesque visitors center, definitely worth a visit. 👌

12/04/2023

🍾🍇 Raise a glass to the good life! Did you know that cava, the sparkling wine from Spain, comes in different levels of sweetness and each level is defined by the grams of residual sugar per liter? From driest to sweetest, it goes:
🥂Brut nature (less than 3 grams per litre). The purest form of cava with no added sugar. Cava of the highest quality. Perfect as aperitif.
🦞Extra brut (3-6 grams per litre), little sugar is added before sealing the bottle. Paired well with starters like seafood.
🍤Brut (6-12 grams per litre). Noticeable sugar on palete.
⚠️Extra dry (12-17 grams). Often confused for the driest cava. Actually contains up to 3 small spoons of sugar per bottle.
🍧Dry (17-32 grams). This type of cava is well paired with desserts of moderate sweetness.
🧀Semi-dry (32-50 gramms). Goes well with cheese plate.
🍨Sweet (50+ gramms per litre). Perfect with sweet desserts like pavlova, merenge, apricot tart.
What's your favorite level of sweetness in cava? Let me know in the comments below! 🥂"

20/03/2023

This is a kind reminder that spring is here and wineries are waiting for you! 👋🍷😀

28/02/2023

Close your eyes and sip this wine. In your mind, you will be immediately transported to the mid-summer counrtyside drowning in aromas of gentle flowers, honey and an afternoon tea.
Silky and complex white Chardonnay from Arinzano Estate (Vino de Pago) comes from one of the best vineyards in Spain. And although I am not a fan of international varieties growing in Spain, this sample could make me reconsider my preferences.

22/02/2023

My journey into the world of wine started with a bottle of Sassicaia opened for my 24th birthday. This unforgettable experience raised me a question: what makes a great wine?🤔

In search for the answer, I travelled numerous countries and tried thousands of wines to understand a few things:

1. Your perception of wine will greatly depend on the environment: temperature, light and smells can make or break the wine experience.
2. Local wines served with local foods will blow you sock off on any occasion.
3. Since your taste constantly evolves, definition of great wine changes accordingly.
4. Price of the bottle is never an indicator.

So travel, drink wine locally, let yourself experiment from time to time, and never neglect an inexpensive bottle. 🙂🍷

10/01/2023

תני לי עוד פרטים

31/08/2022

Do you know that Phylloxera bug hit Catalunya in 1920's and caused severe damage to local vineyards?

In memory of this disastrous event, Sant Sadurni d'Anoia hosts huge annual festival, Fiesta de la Filoxera. 🎉🎆🪰🥂

This year we will celebrate 30 years anniversary with a huge parade, loud music, giant figures, crowds of people and lots of cava!!

7 and 8th of September, streets of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia.

30/08/2022

Very special, atypical white wine made from Garnacha Blanca in DO Montsant.

One could call it an orange wine because of the elaboration method.

Wine undergoes almost full fermentation cycle under the most (skins and seeds), except fermentation stops shortly before all sugar is gone.

The result is wine that has delucate residual sugars, lower acidity, aromas of white flowers and nuts.

One could say this wine is dull, but I find it perfect for pairings with delicate and fatty food that could be easily ruined by excess acidity. Think about asian-style mushrooms or foie gras.

24/08/2022

Harvesting in most regions of Catalonia is coming to an end. This year will be remembered for extremely dry conditions that resulted in smaller yeilds and more concentrated flavours. Year 2022 could be one of the best years yet for Catalonian winemakers.

08/08/2022

Collaboration of Baló Restaurant (Barcelona) and Loxarel winery (Penedes) resulted in an amazing gastronomic experience worth a Michelin notion.

Wines from this winery are not easy to come across, although they are very affordable. Look for their Petit Arnau rosado skilfully made of Garnatxa Negra and Merlot. Also their sparkling wines are worth a special notion as they are minimum 24 month reserva and made from organic grapes gathered manually.

Loxarel sparkling wines belong to DO Penedes under Classic Penedès classification.

06/08/2022

What do you think of non-alcoholic wines? Can you even call them wines? 🥂The other day a client of mine tried this Vilarnau non-alcoholic sparkling drink and gave it high appraisal without even realizing this was not real cava. Indeed, the quality is amazing!

04/08/2022

Just recently I received a requst to assist in choosing spanish wines for a big wedding.

I looked up a list of suggestions and got nervous, because the list consisted either of absolutely undirinkable wines or wines that I am not familiar with.

So I took a closer look and found 3 gems in a list. Upon research, one cava turned out to be a 24 month Reserva Brut Nature. This is probably the best cava you can get at €10 RRP per bottle.

Then there was white wine from Terragona, blen of Macabeo, Muscatel and Garnacha that guarantee good structure.

And for red I chose Ribera del Duero Roble Crianza.

Happy wedding!

08/07/2022

My impression of Ribeira Sacra: it is a land of Celtic fairies, river spirits and brave men. I could not explain the magic that is happening here otherwise.

I will start by saying that this is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been to. It has that kind of quiet yet potent beauty that you meet in the most remote areas of the world. Yet, the nearest airport is located just an hour away.

To continue, Ribeira Sacra is a place of Heroic Viticulture, a term that refers to the cultivation of vineyards under extremely difficult conditions. Local slopes are so steep and narrow, it makes any automated work impossible. All works are conducted manually, including harvesting. Workers have to carry 35 kg baskets several hundred meters up the slope dozens of times a day so that you can enjoy your wine later next year.

Honestly, I think they should double the price!

DO Ribeira Sacra (translated as Sacred Riverbank) is neither the largest nor the most famous region in Spain, but one of the most interesting and promising for sure. All thanks to the raising interest to Mencia wines, that make up to 85% of local red grapes production. Cooked strawberries and prunes note along with medium tannins and smoky minerality make this wine perfect for daily consumption.

Mencia has some potential to age too. Local winemakers conduct maceration in large wooden barrels and sometimes keep juice on skins up to several days to get the most color and tannins.

A sidenote: If you see Summum label on the back of the bottle, it means that this wine is produced using at least 65% of Mencia grapes.

07/07/2022

This post may not be directly wine related, but I couldn’t keep this place a secret from the world.

Ezaro is a perfect demonstration of the idea that without any prior notice you can simply put a pin on a Galicia map, and arrive at an amazing, astonishing place.

Ezaro is an area where the Atlantic Ocean meets the last mile of the river Santa Uxia. Beautiful views start as you approach the huge dam and accompany you all the way down to the river valley that on one side boasts a beautiful waterfall Fervenza do Ezaro, and on the other – wide beach Praia do Ezaro of the Atlantic Ocean.

By all the logic, this should be a solid touristic destination, but we saw just a handful of people in a whole area.

Absolutely perfect getaway for a day.

06/07/2022

You can't escape Albariño in Galicia! 😅
You would be frown upon if you try to order some other wine to go with your scallops. So simply give up.

4 interesting facts to learn while you wait for that glass:

1. Albariño is called Alvarinho in neighbouring Portugal and seems to be native to the area that borders those two countries.

2. However Rias Baixas' region named Val so Salnes claimed the name of a birthplace of this grape. 50% of all Albariño in the country grows here.

3. Winelovets often notice the saline taste in best Albariño. This is due to the mists that come from the Atlantic Ocean during the harvest period and leave residual salt on the skins of the grape.

4. Albariño is mainly grown in parrel/pegola training system which carries grapes closer to sun and allows necessary ventilation for this region.

05/07/2022

Santiago de Compostela or
The happiest city on Earth is located in Galicia! 😊

This is the place where everything good happens: thousands of people achieve their dreams, obtain purpose of life, find redemption, and make peace with themselves.

All because Santiago is a final point of the Way of Saint James 😇 (locally known as Camino de Santiago), a network of pilgrims’ paths that start from as far as France and lead to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, where tradition holds that the remains of the apostle are buried.

It is a way of thousands of kilometers that people make on foot, and it takes long weeks or even months before they finish it on one sunny (or rainy) afternoon.

I truly enjoy the scene where pilgrims happily sip on local beer Galicia Estrella, locals order mencia and albariño, everyone eats pulpo a la gallega (Galician-style octopus) and volandeiras (queen scallops).

Life is truly good in here no matter the weather which actually changes her every 20 minutes. 😅

04/07/2022

Abundant Galicia

Luscious, generous, tranquil and refreshing – I chose Galicia to travel this summer.

And if you are looking for a perfect escape from a suffocatingly hot and touristy city and happen to be a wine lover like I am, this is the place for you too. 🥂

Boundless Atlantic ocean 🏄‍♀️ with turquoise waters crashing onto the rocky coast, wide still waters of rias full of oysters 🦪 and mussels, all colors of green of the fields and forests, and the most amazing skies that change every fifteen minutes like decorations in a good theatre, you will find all that within 2 hours of drive from any point in Galicia.

The power of the earth, waters, and skies effortlessly fill you with the energy so much needed to deal with the stress of everyday life. 🧘‍♀️

Galicia is home to some of the world most interesting cool-climate wines. 🍷 🍇🥂 Fresh, mineral, salty Albariño from Rias Baixas; herbal, floral and silky Treixadura from DO Ribeiro; perfect summer red Mencia with aromas of prunes and herbs, I will take some time to tell everything about them as I travel through this earth.

17/06/2022

It’s officially summer! Your time to arrange picnic lunches with friends, lazy family brunches in the countryside, and luscious, romantic dinners on the terrace. And although summer is traditionally considered to be a white wine season, I assure you that some Spanish reds make a much better match for certain summer occasions. So, look no further, here’s a complete summer wine guide…...

http://myspanishwine.com/2022/06/17/10-tips-on-how-to-choose-your-perfect-summer-wine/

10 tips on how to choose Spanish white wine

13/06/2022

Is Spain really a red wine country?

Well, until very recently, the world used to think that Spain is only good at making red wines, and only from two regions.

Today, the table has turned, and more and more Spanish DOs produce pretty darn good whites, with the following varieties becoming local and international favorites:

Albariño (al-ba-riniyo). This crispy fresh wine is coming from a maritime DO Rias Baixas of northern Spain, namely Galicia. Local cuisine is all about seafood, and albariño makes perfect pairing for grilled octopus, shrimps and any fish really. Look for stone fruit aromas, floral influence, high acidity and cool minerality.

Verdejo (ver-de-ho). This affordable wine is all about floral and fruity aromas. Spaniards love it as their daily white wine, and you might like it as well if you don’t mind some bay leaf notes. Whenever you see DO Rueda on your wine label, be sure Verdejo plays the major role in a blend.

Codello (go-dei-yo). Another wine from northern Galicia that is more associated with complexity and balance, and relatively high price for this reason. Very much enjoyable, this wine doesn’t beg for pairing and is quite enjoyable on it’s own. This wine is perfect for international wine lovers since it can withstand long aging and is very agreeable in taste.

And then, there is my favorite but less popular Treixadura; the queens of DO Penedes Xarel.lo and Viura (Macabeo), pride of Pais Basco Hondarribi Zuri and dozens of other grapes that soon will certainly claim their share of success of Spanish white wines.

Codello (go-dei-yo). Another wine from northern Galicia that is more associated with complexity and balance, and relatively high price for this reason. Very much enjoyable, this wine doesn’t beg for pairing and is quite enjoyable on its own. This wine is perfect for international wine lovers since it can withstand long aging and is very agreeable in taste.

01/06/2022

01/06/2022

This winery produces some of the finest cava in Penedes. Come and check out their cellers and wines.

30/05/2022

30/05/2022

One glass a day keeps any stress away. 😇

27/05/2022

Boom! 💥
Wait. What? Red wine from Val do Salnes, birthplace of Albariño, DO Rias Baixas that produces 99% Vinos Blancos? Yes, you heard me right. And it's not JUST a wine. It is a sample of exceptional craftsmanship from an artisan bodega ATTIS.
Seems like these people can take any autochthonous grape and turn it into a masterpiece. In this case, it is a blend of Pedral, Sousón y Espadeiro.
And it’s ok you’d never heard of those grapes before, because I didn’t. What is important is that you remember the ATTIS name and next time you see it in store, you make sure you buy it.

26/05/2022

Catalonia boasts 12 DOP regions with different climates, soil, philosophy, and agenda. It is a lively wine community that is currently going through important changes which reflect the market trends, winemakers' ambitions, and investment climate. One could argue about the importance of any of those regions to the current Spanish wine scene, however historically, there’s been 3 primary DOs still making up the largest part of wine production and export....

http://myspanishwine.com/2022/05/26/top-3-dos-in-cataluna/

Catalonia boasts 12 DOP regions with different climates, soil, philosophy, and agenda. It is a lively wine community that is currently going through important changes which reflect the market trend…

25/05/2022

What is wine tasting?
It is a journey to the lands hundreds miles away. It is awakening of all senses. It is remembering your past and foreseeing the future.
It is my favorite time among other wine lovers.
Join me!

25/05/2022

Treixadura (trei-sha-du-ra) is a not the most popular white wine in Spain. It’s not even in Top3 list, but at the moment it is my favorite white. Coming from chilly, maritime Galicia, it is competing with more popular siblings from this region, namely Albariño (al-ba-ri-nio) and Godello (go-dei-yo). Acidic, fruity Albarino makes a perfect pairing with seafood, so no wonder it gained so much popularity throughout Spain....

http://myspanishwine.com/2022/05/25/treixadura-galicias-hidden-gem/

Treixadura white wine from Galicia, DO Ribeira

24/05/2022

Wine saving pump is a life saver for those who don't finish a bottle in one evening. 🍷

Remember that you need to close the bottle immediately after pouring a glass, and put it in the fridge to keep the wine fresh.

26/04/2022

Barcelona squad 🍷