Aug
13
Say ole to Spanish wines
Filed Under EN
By Brian Fry
If You Go…
What: Wine Academy: Spain
When: Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.
Where: Avalon Golf and Country Club at Squaw Creek, 761 Youngstown-Kingsville Road, Vienna
Reservations: Call 330-539-5008
There are few nations in the world with a longer and more esteemed winemaking tradition than Spain. The country boasts nearly 100 wine regions spread out across all corners of the country. These regions are classified by both the quality of the grapes produced and the geographic region in which they are grown.
When you combine all of these logistical nuances and throw in the language barrier, it creates some problems for the average American wine consumer. In fact, a simple lack of understanding the label often leads to wine lovers’ passing by the Spanish sections of restaurant wine lists and grocery stores.
That’s where Shawn Purcell comes in. Purcell is a wine executive who has traveled to Spain and visited two of its most beloved regions: Galicia and Calatayud. The regions are far apart geographically; Galicia is in the upper northwest corner and Calatayud is in the Southwestern Aragon area.
Purcell will travel to the Valley on Aug. 21 for a tasting featuring the Martin Codax Winery from Galcia and Las Rocas Winery from Calatayud. He saw some great tradition and old world techniques in Galicia.
“The Majority of the wines there are produced by cooperatives. That is, the town’s farmers grow and pick the grapes themselves. They have a great sense of pride for the region and their terroir.”
Purcell identifies terrain and climate as a huge influence on the winemakers and vineyards managers at Los Rocas and other wineries in Calatayud. The region also is full of incredible history.
“This region is steep and unforgiving terrain with little rain and hot temperatures. Grenache grapes thrive in these conditions. The vines in Calatayud are extremely old (30-40 years) in comparison to those in the U.S., where most vines are much younger.”
Here’s a look at the five wines showcased at the event on Aug. 21:
- 2012 Martin Codax Alberino
Clean, bright lemon yellow color with ripe citrus notes and a hint of tangerine. Nicely balanced with tropical element and lime zest on the finish.
- 2010 Martin Codax “Ergo” Tempranillo
A contemporary expression of the classic Spanish grape. Vibrant red fruits like cherry and plum with juicy textures and a lingering finish.
- 2012 Las Rocas Rose
Enticing aromas of raspberry and strawberry awaken the nose and awaken the palate for the flavors to come. Clean and fruit forward. Elegant and perfect for summer sipping!
- 2009 Las Rocas Red Blend
Ripe jammy fruits are present right up front on the nose and the palate. A bright, medium bodied wine with a round mid-palate and smooth finish.
- 2009 Grenache Vinas Viejas
A spicy, rich bouquet leads to a well-structured wine with dark cherry flavors and elegant oak with lush tannins and fruit filled finish.
The wines will be served with a five-course Tapas menu reflective of the two regions. Executive Chef Jonathan Duva loves the creativity and history of Spanish Tapas cuisine.
“The challenge of Tapas is to compact as much flavor as possible into small bites. It’s a pleasure to work with this old-world style of Spanish cuisine.
about VALLEY VINO
Contact Brian at brian.fry@myvalleyvino.com or by visiting www.myvalleyvino.com.
On vindy.com: Stay up to date with Brian’s tastes and travels 24/7.
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