Spanish Weekend Tasting-Vineyard-Mar. 26-27

Event: Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world and its wines are incredibly diverse. (Also make sure you check out Roger’s annoucement that Gary Player will be in the shop April 10th to sign bottles of his great wines). The most famous region is Rioja. The wines of this region are aged in American oak as opposed to French oak. There are several different classifications of Spanish wines. The highest quality wines are DOCa, Denominacion de Origen Calificada. Only wines bottled in the Priorat and famous Rioja regions bear this distinction. The Consejo Regulador (wine region supervision) decides if a wine meets the requirements for the next classification, DO, Denominacion de Origen. Another thing to look for on the label is the bodega, meaning vineyard, usually at the top. Next, going from the label’s top to bottom, will most likely be the region the wine is from. Under this will be the grape varietal from which the wine is made and then the cosecha, or vintage. The joven means the wine is young, dulce means sweet and cava is sparkling wine. Crianza is a wine aged two years, with at least six months in oak.

Learn about the differences and have an opportunity to taste high end wines without having to spend a lot of money first. See friends and enjoy some nibbles.
Where: Vineyard Wine Market (map), 4414 Evans to Lock Road, Evans, GA. (706) 922-9463

When: Friday, March 26th, 2010, 4:30-6:30pm, Saturday, March 27th, 1-6pm

Here are the wines that were presented:

Gatão Vinho Verde 2009
What: (okay they are sneaking in a wine from Portugal)
From: Portugal
Winery: Gatão
Year: 2009

Vega Sindoa Chardonnay 2006
What: Traversed by pilgrims for centuries, the valley of Valdizarbe, just south of the city of Pamplona, is the northernmost wine growing region in Spain. Today the valley is enjoying a renaissance led by Bodegas Nekeas under the direction of Concha Vecino, highly acclaimed woman winemaker in Spain. Grapes for this wine were harvested from the hillside Chardonnay vineyard called Berezabal, which is oriented to the southwest and has a limestone, clay and gravel soil. Its particular location allow maximum exposure to the sun and excellent from the Atlantic breezes. The wine is fermented in new French Allier oak barrels and aged sur lie for six months. The wine displays a unique balance or bright red apple flavors, ripe pineapple an citrusy lime and a hint of vanilla and warm baking spices on the long finish.
From: Navarra, Spain
: Bodegas Nekeas Vega Sindoa
Year: 2006

Paso A Paso Tempranillo 2007
What: From the hand harvested Tempranillo grapes selected from the best vines to be found in La Mancha to the hands-on diligence of the winemaker, Paso A Paso, receives the extra care and attention that a fine wine deserves. Careful vineyard selections, long slow fermentation and maceration followed by gentile aging for six months in French Oak combine to create a wine with optimum balance on fruit, spices and robust aromas. Once in the hands of the consumer they will find that the wine compliments many dishes from winter hearth stews to barbecues.–From the label.
From: La Mancha, Spain
: Paso a Paso
Year: 2007

Campos Reales Tempranillo 2008
What: Nestled in the very heart of the vast central plateau of LaMancha, the largest wine growing region in the world the Campos Reales vineyards surround the quaint village El Provencio. Here the tempranillo grape thrives in the arid Mediterranean climate in sandy, rocky, calcareous clay soils. The warm growing season encourages the development of ripe dark fruit flavors, deep color and long balanced tannins. As the label illustrates, Camps Reales is a great compliment to many meat and poultry dishes or may be enjoyed on its own merits.
From: LaMancha, Spain
: Bodegas Campos Reales
Year: 2008

Prima Toro Red 2007
What: This dark, rich red from the Toro region is made by Mariano Garcia, one of Spain’s most celebrated winemakers. He cashed in his interest in Vega Sicilia to start a family winery called Bodegas Maurodos where the famous Mauro and San Román are made as well as the more affordable Prima. Old vine Tinto de Toro (along with 10% Garnacha) is used for this wine which sees a bit of oak before bottling. Opaque ruby color, concentrated aromas and flavors of ripe berries and a smoky/earthy foundation are combined to great effect in this wine.–www.spanishtablewines.com
From: Toro, Spain
: Bodegas Maurodos Prima Toro
Year: 2007