Viva España

Blanco Nieva

Grape variety: Verdejo
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Rueda
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 13.5%
Situated north west of the ancient city of Segovia close to the Central Mountains the vineyards of Nieva enjoy a privileged position at 900 metres altitude in a beautiful natural environment.
With a thriving winemaking tradition, that dates back hundreds of years to the Jeronimo monks, the Nieva terroir is without question one of the ‘Grand Cru’ terroirs of Rueda. From 80 year old Verdejo bush vines and vinified on natural yeast lees. This wine is aromatic with floral and citrus aromas and notes of anise. It’s fleshy in the mouth with ripe white fruit flavours and hints of fennel leading to a long mineral finish. A Paco Tapas Tortilla (and maybe a guitar) is all you need to enjoy this most satisfying dry white .

Tuercebotas

Grape variety: Tempranillo Blanco
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Rioja
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 12.5%
Ripe fruit aromas of apples, pears and tropical fruit combine with a nicely rounded glyceric and mineral palate in this natural mutation of the traditional red Tempranillo. A wine of true character and something of a rarity to boot (see label) this will certainly confuse your guests in a blind tasting…Demands a grilled fish, or two.

Pazo Barrantes

Grape variety: Albarino
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Rais Baixas
Vintage: 2017
ABV: 13.5%
Textbook Albarino from leading producer and scion of the great Marques de Murrietta in Rioja. A couple of years in bottle has enhanced its naturally stone mineral and citrus notes. Grab ye clogs and have a dance, before or after seafood paella.

Basilio Berisa

Grape variety: Granciano
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Rioja
Vintage: 2015
ABV: 14.5%
Studios and well travelled young wine maker Basilio Berisa produced this outstanding single vineyard wine from a plot of 60 year old low yielding Graciano vines he inherited from his family who were previously grapegrowers. From the excellent 2015 vintage, it is the proverbial ‘velvet fist in an iron glove’. Dark & brooding with aromas of wild red and black cherry fruit, together with herbs, liquorice, hints of cigar box, meaty balsamic and toasted cedar notes. A long slow cooked lamb tagine would pair perfectly and grandfather would be justifiably proud!

Joaquin Rebolledo

Grape variety: Mencia
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Valdeorras
Vintage: 2014
ABV: 13%
From the remote province of Ourense, the gateway to Galicia and North West Spain, this is as fine an example of the Mencia grape as you will find. Produced naturally on poor slatey high altitude vineyards lacking in nutrients, the struggle to survive brings a desirable mineral quality to the wine, as the vines have to dig deep in search of food and water. Female winemaker Catalina Maroto is a firm believer that good wines “begin in the vineyard and are perfected in the cellar”. Very true as this wine is showing at 6 years of age, developing extra nuances of aroma and complexity from ageing in a mixture of French American and Caucasian oak.

Laderas del Norte Bodegas Arzuaga

Grape variety: Tempranillo
Country of origin: Spain
Region: Ribera del Duero
Vintage: 2017
ABV: 14.5%
Pioneer proprietor Florentino Arzuaga is eminently quotable (as many Spanish wine makers are). There is an innate wisdom that comes from years of learning from nature, the vine, & its environment that is only realised when experienced…He says ‘I learned how to love the wine in childhood. ‘It all turned to passion’

The Tinto Fino clone of Tempranillo grown on the harsh dry high altitude Ribera plateau has been dubbed the ‘Authentic Protagonist’ alluding to its leading role in the winemaking process, the‘Balance Triangle’: that delicate dance of acidity ,alcohol and structure’

Laderas del Norte comes from a vinous paradise a natural environment where vines,& flora & fauna co exist with juniper, pine, oak & wild deer. Organic for sure!