An In-Depth Guide to Rioja and Ribera del Duero

Transcription

1 An In-Depth Guide to Rioja and Ribera del Duero History of the regions Geology, climate, terroir Classifications and aging requirements Tasting! Vintages Spanish Quality System & Appellations: Denominaciones de Origen Formed in 1926; Rioja was the first Modified in 1970s and regulated by the Consejo Regulador DO = Denominación de Origen DOCa = Denominación de Origen Calificada DO and DOCa equivalent to EU s DOP DO and DOCa have aging requirements (Joven, Crianza, Reserva, Gran Reserva)

2 Strong tradition of releasing wines after extended aging VCIG = Vinos de Calidad con Indicación Geográfica VdIT = Vino de la Tierra VCIG and VdIT fall within EU s IGP History RIOJA 1400s: Viticulture begins to flourish in Rioja Late 1800s: Phylloxera strikes Bordeaux; the French look to Spain, particularly Rioja 1850: Luciano de Murrieta establishes Rioja s first commercial bodega and exports wines to Spanish colonies 1901: Phylloxera also arrives in Rioja 1926: DO system begins in Rioja Late 1900s: international rediscovery of Spanish wine; big bump in quality and investments in vineyards/winemaking 1991: Rioja promoted from DO to DOCa RIBERA DEL DUERO Vega Sicilia established in Ribera del Duero in 1864 Early 1900s: Vega Sicilia begins collecting accolades 1972: Alejandro Fernandez founds Pesquera in Ribera del Duero 1982: Ribera del Duero gains DO status and international attention 1990s: Domestic consumption in Ribera del Duero soars Soil, Climate, Exposure: the notion of Terroir RIOJA North central Spain Based around the Ebro River Continental climate; rain shadow from Pyrenées Iron- or calcium-rich clay and silt Three subzones: Alavesa (more calcareous soil) Alta (more calcareous with iron) Baja (more iron and alluvial)

3 RIBERA DEL DUERO North central Spain, southwest of Rioja Based around the Duero River meters altitude Some very old (100+ years), ungrafted vines Extreme continental climate: very hot days and very cold nights Wide soil variations including limestone (chalk and gypsum), clay, round stones, sand, marl The (Main) Grapes Reds: Tempranillo (aka Tinta del Pais or Tinto Fino) Garnacha Graciano Mazuelo Whites: Viura Malvasia Garnacha Blanca Aging Requirements SPAIN, generally Joven = sold year after harvest; little or no oak Crianza Red = aged at least 2 years including at least 6 months in oak Crianza White/Rosé = aged at least 1.5 years including at least 6 months in oak Reserva Red = aged at least 3 years including at least 1 year in oak Reserva White/Rosé = Aged at least 2 years including at least 6 months in oak Gran Reserva Red = aged at least 5 years including at least 1.5 years in oak Gran Reserva White/Rosé = aged at least 4 years including at least 6 months in oak Rioja specifics Same as Spain except following Crianza Red = aged at least 2 years including at least 1 year in oak Crianza White/Rosé = aged at least 2 years including at least 6 months in oak Gran Reserva Red = aged at least 5 years including at least 2 years in oak Ribera del Duero specifics Same as Rioja but no whites

4 López de Heredia Viña Tondonia Blanco '98 Rioja, Spain Made from mostly Viura with some Malvasía López de Heredia makes arguably the most classic Riojas white and red They always release their wines late so they are aged, complex, a bit oxidized from extended time in barrels (in this case, over six years in barrel) Tondonia vineyard is in Rioja Alta Warmer climate, calcareous clay soil Rioja Alta known for classic, ageworthy wines Señorío de P. Peciña Crianza '07 Rioja, Spain Founded in 1992 with a modern winery yet embrace traditional Rioja style Bodega located in Rioja Alta; vineyards at meters altitude This spent two years in cask followed by 1.5 in bottle pre-release 95% Tempranillo, 3% Graciano, 2% Garnacha Cune Imperial Gran Reserva '01 Rioja, Spain Cune bodega is one the CVNE trilogy Founded in 1879; one of the most established, historic bodegas in Rioja Based in Rioja Alta; most of the fruit is from here (some sourced elsewhere) Imperial sub-label for Reserva and Gran Reserva bottlings from great vintages 85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo Fincas de Ganuza 05 Rioja, Spain Founded in 1989 by a former vineyard broker Based in Rioja Alavesa; almost all old vines over 60 years Harvests only the riper, more concentrated shoulders of clusters Focus on innovation and modern winemaking; all new oak barrels (80% French; 20% American) Torremorón '12 Ribera del Duero, Spain Began as a co-op of 57 viticulturalists; today 126 partners from around village of Quintanamavirgo that contribute their land to the wines Vineyards on sand and clay around 800 meters above sea level 100% Tinta del País from 70- to 100-year-old vines Joven style: 100% stainless steel fermentation and aging for three months Torremorón is the area of the local underground cellars

5 Alejandro Fernández Tinto Pesquera '09 - Ribera del Duero, Spain Alejandro was a pioneer of Ribera del Duero when founded Pesquera in 1972 with wife Esperanza Pesquera wines won international acclaim and helped put Ribera del Duero on the map One of his four daughters now makes the wine 200 hectares of 100% Tempranillo Longer aging in oak than required by law Recent Vintages 2012: Very dry year; low yields and highly concentrated wines 2011: Hot year; wines are ripe, rich and soft 2010: Great year with warm, dry days and cool nights; balanced yet powerful structure with ripe fruit 2009: High quantity and forward, ripe flavors for earlier drinking 2008: Ripe but not particularly powerful, good acidity and finesse 2007: Cool, difficult year with low yields and some elegant wines 2006: Good vintage with forward, fruity wines 2005: Warm year; great for powerful reds that will age 2004: Great year; wines are concentrated, aromatic, high in alcohol and ageworthy 2003: Extremely hot and dry; richly fruited and powerful wines 2002: Very challenging year with cold temperatures and rain; quality relied on extreme care in vineyard 2001: Outstanding vintage: classic wines with ripeness, acidity and structure