Flight One D.O. Cava (Penedes)
D.O. Cava (Penedes) Principal Grapes Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel.lo •
Cava is Spanish sparkling wine. Made in the Méthode Traditionelle, the same way that Champagne is produced, but with Spanish grapes.
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Cava can be produced throughout Spain, but most Cava is made in Penedes, near Barcelona.
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Cava is far closer to Champagne (in terms of taste) than Prosecco.
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How does it taste? Lemony, dry, a little earthy. Bubbly and easy to drink.
Flight One - Rosado D.O. Txakoli (Basque Country)
D.O. Txakoli (Basque Country) Principal Grapes Hondarribi Beltza (rosé), Hondarribi Zuri (white) • Txakoli (pronounced cha-ko-lee) is a Basque wine. Predominantly sourced from the coastal town of San Sebastian on the Bay of Biscay; a cool climate • Bright, spritzy and dry. • The slight bubbly sensation is CO2 absorbed naturally by the wine, similar to the pét-nat style. Aged on the lees (post-fermentation yeast for roundness). • High acidity and low alcohol
Flight Two D.O. RÃas Baixas
DO Rías Baixas (Galicia, Green Spain) • • • • • •
More than 50% of the winemakers in Rías Baixas are women. Highest percentage any world wine region! Santiago de Compostela, Galicia’s capital, is the final destination of the Camino. The Celts settled Galicia in the 11th C and left bagpipes and cute stone huts behind. Seafaring culture, famous for seafood, octopus, oysters , clams and barnacles. Strong ties to Portugal Atlantic climate, cool (avg. temp is 55º F). Mineral-rich, granite soils like Loire Valley and New Zealand (Sauvignon Blanc country).
D.O. Rías Baixas (Galicia) Principal Grape Albariño • 99% of the wine production is the fabulous white Albariño. 5 sub-regions with maritime influence. • High acidity and high aromatics is a winning combo in complex white wines. Sur lies aging (on the yeast) creates fullness and adds balance. • Drink young or try an older vintage. This is a white wine that ages well. • How does it taste? Rich stone fruit flavors (peach), lemon zest, honeydew, a hint of sea salt and amazing acidity.
Flight Three D.O.C. Rioja
D.O.C. Rioja (Rioja) Principal Grapes • •
Red: Tempranillo, Spain’s most famous native red grape White: Viura
Taste profile • •
Structure of Cabernet Fruitiness of Grenache
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Dry–Medium-full body Medium-high tannins Medium-high acidity
Aging – 4 Styles •
Young to Oldest: Joven, Crianza,
Reserva, Gran Reserva
Flight Four D.O. Bierzo
D.O. Bierzo (Leon) Principal Grape Mencia • Mencia, grown on steep hillside vineyards that give the wines density, depth, and mineral-driven character. • Old vines, Atlantic climate, hidden gems. • Alvaro Palacios (also a producer in Priorat) revived the region 20 years ago with nephew Ricardo Perez. • A “stony” mineral quality (like cement after it rains…) shows the minerality. Raspberry and blackberry fruit. Deep, red color. • Medium-bodied red, like Pinot Noir.
Flight Five – The Big Reds D.O. Ribera del Duero (Castilla y Leon) D.O. Priorat (Catalunya)
D.O. Ribera del Duero (Castilla y Leon) Principal Grapes Tempranillo (Tinta del Pais) Region •
Same grape as Rioja, but higher elevation, smaller berries, denser. Vega Sicilia, Pingus, Pesquera – Spain’s most famous wines come from Ribera. The Duero River flows through Spain to the Port wine region.
Taste profile • Bold, red wines • •
Elegance, complexity and depth Medium to high acidity and tannins.
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Look for black fruit, currant, smoky undertones (leather)
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Same aging styles as Rioja
D.O. Priorat (Catalunya) Principal Grapes 39% Garnacha (Grenache), 27% Cariñena, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 6% Merlot. Each producer creates their own blend. Region •
Small growing area – mountainous and dry. Just south of Barcelona. Vines are OLD (90+ years). Licorella slate soils (like wet summer pavement) are highly valued, can only be handharvested.
Taste profile • Bold, red wines. Big tannin.
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Red and black plum, black cherry, licorice with some red clay and fat tannins thrown in. Dense and high in alcohol
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Expect to spend $30+ for great Priorat
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