Sherbrooke Sips with R&R: Spain
Winery: Bodegas Ateca
Vintage: 2008
Location: Calatayud, Spain
Alcohol: 14%
Blend: Old Vines Garnacha (Grenache)
Tasting: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 - 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Map courtesy of vinisimo.com
When people think of exports from Spain, they think of Hollywood actors like Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz to name just a couple. Well, let me tell you Spain has some incredible wine. Let’s step back a little in time…
As with the history in many Mediterranean countries, the cultivation of wine grapes in Spain began with the Greeks and Phoenicians. After the conquest of Spain by the Moors in 711 A.D. the wine industry took a huge hit. The Moors forbid the drinking of alcohol, so land that was previously under vine was used for other crops. In some areas, the Christians were allowed to keep some land under vine for their own use. When the reconquest of Spain took place the wine industry came alive again due in part to the monasteries, as they needed sacramental wine for Communion. In the 19th Century Phylloxera hit a lot of Europe before it hit Spain. When it devastated France, a number of French winemakers moved to Spain to not only work their art, but they also gave the Spanish priceless information on grape growing, and they also imparted their wisdom of more modern winemaking techniques, the effects of which are still felt in the country today. When Phylloxera did come to Spain, the Spanish were better equipped to handle it. They had learned that grafting the vines on root stock that was resistant to Phylloxera was going to be their saving grace. The damage was not felt as hard as it was in a lot of Europe. Fast forward to the 20th Century… many people around the world associate Spain with Sherry. Yes, Sherry is made in Spain, but there is a wide range of wonderful wines from this country. I hope this is the first of a number of articles we get to write on Spanish wine.
The wine we are sampling today, Atteca Old Vines 2008, is from Northeastern Spain in an area called Calatayud. This probably is not one of the best known regions of Spain. Ribera del Duero, Rioja and Priorat are probably much better known on this side of the water. Calatayud is an area of 5,600 hectacres of land in the Province of Zaragoza in Northeastern Spain. The wine region is made up of 15 vineyards (Bodegas) which produce about 14 million liters of wine each year.
There are many different grape varieties grown in the Calatayud region including for the reds: Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Mazuela, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot. For the whites: Macabeo, Malvasia, Moscatel de Alejandria, Garnacha Blanca and Chardonnay. Unlike Germany and some other countries, Spain doesn’t usually have a problem with grapes not fully ripening due to cool temperatures. The climate in Calatayud is mainly continental with warm to hot summers and cool to cold winters. Most of the rain that falls comes between April and July. The later part of the summer is very dry with only a scattered thunderstorm to leave a little rain for the vineyards.
This particular wine is made from 100% Old Vines Garnacha (otherwise known at Grenache). The vines used to make this wine are between 80 to 120 years old. Now when the vines get that old, they don’t produce a lot of fruit, but the fruit that you do get is amazing. It is full of flavour and something just out of this world. The vines were selected from hillside vineyards at 3000 feet above sea level. These vineyards were planted in the last few decades of the 19th Century and the first decade of the 20th Century.
Richard and I sat down on Friday night to enjoy this wine with our dinner. I had decanted it about 90 minutes prior. Richard was enjoying a barbequed steak with various veggies and the like. Being the rebel that I am, I had some chicken with a balsamic reduction and of course like a good girl, I had lots of veggies. The wine is a very deep ruby colour. The aromas were awash with blackberries, black cherries and even some raspberries and a little vanilla. In the mouth you could taste those berries along with some good acidity with a medium body feel. On the finish, that is when you notice a wee bit of pepper spiciness. We found it was about a medium finish. The tannins are very noticeable, but not overbearing by any means.
Food Pairing:
Grilled/roasted beef and lamb; chorizo sausages (grilled or fried); veal; pork; Moroccan stew. Or try grilled chicken with a balsamic reduction.
CSPC: 1025227
Price:
$23.99 (Minus Winesday 10% discount.)
*Price correct at time of printing. Price subject to change without notice
Atteca photos courtesy of corksandcaftans
Richard and I are heading back across the pond to Chile next week. As usual, I am running behind, so I better get my suitcase packed. See you Wednesday!