SPANISH WINE REVOLUTION ?
With the prices of quality Bordeaux, Burgundy and California Cabernet Sauvignons being driven up by collectors and not consumers us wine lovers are always looking for those little hidden gems that over deliver in the price to quality ratio. Not that Spain is an unknown region but when it comes to wine its popularity is in the growing phase.
We sat down with Keith Ross, national sales manager for Garnacha Wines, importer of some of the most exciting wines coming from Spain to give us a little insight into this delicious trend. Listening to the passion Keith spoke with about Spanish wines we knew that this was more than just grape juice. He explained how Spanish wines capture the romance of the marriage of wine and food with varietals like Albarino, Garnacha and Tempranillo. Spain was always highly respected in Europe but was slow to gain popularity here. The state of Spanish wines in the U.S. in the early 90’s was bleak, epitomized mostly by cheap sherry and tired Rioja gathering dust in wine shops. That all began to change when Jorge Ordonez, the man at the helm of Garnacha Wines, understood that to get Americans on board he needed to find wineries that understood our palates without sacrificing the authentic flavors of the region.
Beside the ridiculous value of the these wines they are also match incredibly well with food, examples being Garnacha with everything from salmon to barbeque, Tempranillo with steaks and chops and Albarino with salads, fish and sunsets. The Spanish wine market has exploded over the last 5 years with a modus operanda created by Ordonez, with others now getting on board, to preserve the heritage and Spanish character of the wines while challenging the American pallet and making us crave more and more.
These are just a few of the outstanding values to give you a crash course on what awaits you.
BODEGAS BORSAO – TRES PICOS $17
This might have been the wine that started the revolution. Harvested from old vine Garnache vineyards that cling to the rugged terrain on the steep slopes of the famous Moncayo mountains. Low yields produce a rich, deeply colored and aromatic with concentrated flavors of blackberries, strawberries and hints of leather, vanilla and plums.
BODEGAS BORSAO – ALTO MONCAYO ‘VERATON’ $30
Though this one ain’t cheap you’d have a hard time finding anything on this level for so little scratch. Walking the line between strength and finesse this wine boggles the mind with all of its identifiable flavors that include, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, chocolate and a kiss of coffee, spice and pepper. Stunning!
PROTOCOLO – TINTO $8
A sexy and seductive, deep, ripe berry powerhouse blossoms in the mouth with blackberry and spice notes that compliment anything from salmon to chicken to barbeque to hearty winter chili.
VINA BORGIA 3L BOX $20
Can box wine really taste good? It does now thanks to this little velvety fruit bomb filling the mouth with ripe, red fruit. We love the convenience but never found anything of substance in this package until now. Easily destroying the stigma that wine in a box can’t be any good.
JUAN GIL – MONASTRELL $17
Crammed with loads of dark fruit that explodes on the palate revealing flavors of blackberry and plum with a touch of Asian spice and coffee showing up on the long, flirtacious finish.
HONORO VERA – GARNACHA $10
This might be the most ridiculous value of the year. Racy red and dark fruits cascade over the tongue finishing with a sprinkling of toasted oak and chocolate. Would pair well with anything from fish tacos to ribs. Yum Yum!