Its time again to tell you on the wines of my dear Spain, As said, this goes back from my beginnings ,and I still go for them everywhere, I coming back at you with my wines news of Spain XXV . Of course post No 25 for the non Romans, Hope you enjoy the post as I.
The Manchega plain is a show in spring. Part of the fault is the largest vineyard in the world. And these days you wear green waiting for envero. A magical moment therefore to travel the La Mancha Wine Route in its countdown to the Harvest 2024, The natural paths that cross the surroundings of Tomelloso and La Solana are dotted with drums and huts. These dry stone constructions are responsible for the charm of the Manchega plain. They occupy these lands since the 15C and for hundreds of years they were shepherd and warehouse for vine growers workers. Today they are one more reason to come to the La Mancha wine route. Make the Ruta de los Bombos de Tomelloso or the Sendero de los Chozos de La Solana and meet this footprint that shows the wine roots of this territory is like finding a treasure. The Montes de Toledo are the backdrop of the roads that cross the rural landscapes of Villarrubia de los Ojos. The Sendilla de San Cristóbal is another of the roads to follow. The unevenness of this section of just one kilometer is well worth it if we consider the beauty of the views from the hermitage of San Cristóbal. The colors of the Manchega plain in contrast to the Las Tablas de Daimiel National Park and the emotion of being able to see black vultures or surprise the flight of a real eagle are the best reward. Complete the route with a stop at the Mirador de La Mancha to make night between a unique landscape of vineyards, olive groves and cereal is also the best option to taste good Manchega gastronomy and accompany it of the magnificent wines of Bodegas El Progreso.
Known as the homeland of wine, Socuéllamos is an ideal destination to combine the best wine tourism with routes in which to get lost, on foot or by bicycle, for a plain that shows its best part now in spring. From the top of the Torre del Vino, one can admire the colors of this land of Commander, but nothing like getting out of the urban area and getting lost between them. One of the best plans to do it is the Titos Paraje Route.A circular walk (low difficulty) in which to submerge fully in a sea of vineyards, while discovering some of the secrets of the assets of the Wine Route of La Mancha, such as the Hermitage of San Isidro or the Torre de Vejezate, one of the great prides of Socuellamos on the banks of the Záncara River. Peñarroya Castle, this beautiful 12C fortress is the best excuse to get to know this place that serves as a entrance to the beautiful Ruidera lagoons. Official Ruta del Vino de la Mancha: https://www.rutadelvinodelamancha.com/en/municipalities/
Every time we drink more white wines. It is not a sensation, but a reality beaten by the data of the last report of the Spanish Observatory of the Wine Market (OEMV). Two wonderful examples to get you into them are: Mar de Frades Finca Lobeira 2019 This new wine from a vineyard located north of Mount Lobeira, in the Salnés Valley. A complex and vibrant Atlantic target, with a unique energy, made with Albariño and a small percentage of Loureiro, Caja Blanco and Godello, from which only 3,750 bottles have been made. Webpage : https://www.mardefrades.es/vinos/
Monte Real Coleccion Larrendant Tempranillo Blanco Reserva 2020 The Larrendant collection pays tribute to the Burgundy winemaker Gabriel Larrendant, who was in charge of the preparation of the wines of the historic winery in the 30s and discovered the special character of the vineyards of the El Monte site, in La Rioja Alta. 2,600 bottles of an elegant and complex target, heir of the old Rioja school, with 18 months of barrel breeding and another 12 of rest in bottle. Webpage : https://www.bodegasriojanas.com/nuestros-vinos/monte-real-tempranillo-blanco-reserva-coleccion-larrendant/
The winemaker and entrepreneur Carlos Moro acquires Sanclodio, the mythical winery that belonged to the director and film producer, José Luis Cuerda, They are lands that belonged to the monks of the Monastery of Oseira and then to those of San Clodio. Four well -maintained farms of more than nine hectares in total, where the native varieties of Treixadura, Albariño, Loureiro and Godello prosper. The last wine jewel of Carlos Moro also has a 16C house, where the winery is located. This is Sanclodio, one of the most relevant firms within the Ribeiro Denomination of Origin, located in Cubillero-Gomariz, on the left bank of the Avia, the area of greatest recognition of the denomination. The wine takes the name of the monastery of San Clodio, from the 10C. Its Cistercian monks have already established the foundations of what Ribeiro’s great wines should be. Its first wine growers were established in the surroundings of the monastery, in the heart of the Avia Valley, consecrating the best farms to the cultivation of the vine to imitation of what the French did in Burgundy. It tells the story that such was the success of these wines that, on the trips of Christopher Columbus to the Americas, in the Carabela Santa María, a pipe that contained Ribeiro was already traveling. And this is his empire: Matarromera family wineries has 11 different wineries located in seven origin denominations. It currently has three wineries in Ribera del Duero (Bodega Matarromera, Winery Renaissance and Bodega Emina), a warehouse at wheel (Emina Rueda Bodega), a winery in Cigales (ValdeLosfrailes Bodega In Rioja (Winery CM of Matarromera), two wineries in Ribeiro (Bodega Casar de Vide and Bodega Sanclodio) and a cellar in Rías Baixas (Bodega Viña Caeira). It also has a warehouse dedicated to the elaboration of mischievous wines (Win Bodega without alcohol), located in Valbuena de Duero. In addition, I would add to this list the Oliduero Almazara, where we elaborate extra quality extra virgin olive oil from their own olive trees between Zamora and Valladolid.Webpage: https://bodegacmdematarromera.es/
Three bodegas and their wines to follow anywhere, known for years and always excellent examples of the Spanish wine,
Pazo de Barrantes, precision sanctuary in Rias Baixas Rua Torre, 2. Barrantes (Pontevedra), The origin of the Pazo de Barrantes dates back to the 16C and since then has been linked to the Cebrián-Sagarriga family. It is a singular building, built in granite, which has witnessed for centuries of relevant episodes in the history of Galicia. Next to it, the winery is erected, also in granite stone, built in 1991 by Vicente Cebrián Sagarriga, X Count of Creixell and father of the current owners, following the premise of making wines that show the character and personality of the vineyard of which they proceed. The Pazo de Barrantes is surrounded by 12 hectares of grape Albariño and is located in the Salnés Valley, Pontevedra, in the heart of the Baixas Rías. Its wines reflect the commitment to the environment and to achieve excellence. Today part of Marqués de Murrieta webpage : https://marquesdemurrieta.com/en/pages/pazo-de-barrantes
Protos, the excellence of the pioneer Calle Bodegas Protos, 24-28. Peñafiel, Protos, a pioneer warehouse that since 1927 has remained faithful to its motto of being first, as an attitude of constant overcoming on a day -to -day basis, being present in more than 100 countries today. Thanks to his winery designed by the prestigious winning architect of the Priztker Sir Richard Rogers award, it is located once again, at the forefront in the wine and wine tourism scene, becoming the most visited winery on the Ribera del Duero and in the first level at National to obtain the “brand of excellence” certificate by Superbrands. In 2013 it was selected as “Winery of the Year” by the American magazine Wine and Spirits, and in 2022 and 2023, as one of the 50 most admired wineries in the world for the prestigious international organism Drinks International. In addition to elaborating in the Ribera del Duero its famous red wines, Protos also pamper their white wines of quality in the Do Rueda, and its Rosés and Claretes in the Do Cigales. Webpage : https://www.bodegasprotos.com/en/
Ramon Bilbao, a hundred -year -old trip guided by curiosity Avda. Santo Domingo, 34, Haro (La Rioja). And Ctra. de Rueda to Nava del Rey, Km 1, Rueda (Valladolid). Since its inception in Haro (La Rioja) as after 1924, Ramón Bilbao has discovered unpublished landscapes, challenged the limits of viticulture and open new ways of expressing the character of Rioja and Rueda. Progressing in time, updating tradition and reinterpreting it to accentuate the purity and fruit expression of wines; offering the world a flavor and freshness that have changed the history of Spain’s wine. With milestones such as the creation of Mirto, the first contemporary Rioja wine that returned the prominence to the village wines; Lalomba, the collection of unique vineyards that highlights unique vineyards elaborating with innovative systems, such as raw concrete, or Ramón Bilbao Rueda, which since 2016 identifies the most vibrant soul of the Verdejo variety. Today the winery bets more than ever for the landscape with an innovative vision, its commitment to the environment and an unconformist spirit guided by enthusiasm and curiosity. Webpage : https://bodegasramonbilbao.com/en-us/
The Bodega Cuatro Rayas made the effort to make Amador Ten Verdejo Cuvée 2020 Gran Vino de Rueda (I will be this area soon). The most artisanal and exclusive Verdejo of the winery represents the return to the origins of bottled and hand label , To understand not only the history of Bodega Cuatro Rayas, but also of the D.O.P. Rueda today, Cuatro Rayas or four stripes brings together the fine vine and very elegance profile. Amador Ten Verdejo Cuvée 2020 GVR is forged in the roots of those prefilexeric vineyards of two pagos of Hornillos de Eresma and Villanueva de Duero (province of Valladolid), and only prepares in selected vintages, such as 2020, To make this Grand Vino de Rueda the grapes were vinified with the aim of favoring its longevity, the selected grape must yolk contribute to wines the structure and volume in the mouth without subtracting freshness. The wine has already conquered experts from around the world with their suggestive complexity, recognized with 93 points in Guia Peñín 2025 Guide, 93 points on Tim Atkin in its last special on the D.O.P. and 93 points in Decanter Magazine of May 2024 Bodega Cuatro Rayas ,Camino de la Fuentecilla, s/n.47491 La Seca, province of Valladolid, Webpage, https://cuatrorayas.es/en/
Guia Peñín guides celebrates the 14th edition of its New York Tasting Showroom next June 4, 2024 at the City Winery, NY (25 11th Avenue)This event is dedicated to the quality segment, It will gather 140 wines qualified with 90 or more points, prepared by 30 Spanish wineries from 23 areas producers , among which are Pla i bent, VT Mallorca, Quality of the Canary Islands, Tacoronte-Acentejo, Tarragona, Tierra del Vino de Zamora, Vt 3 Riberas, Vt Ribera del Queiles, Bierzo, Cariñena, Cava, Jerez, Navarra, Penedès, Priorat, Rias Baixas, Ribera del Duero, Rioja, Rueda, Toro, Table Wine, VT Castilla and VT Castyle. The tasting entitled “Taste of the Podium”, formed exclusively by qualified references with 95 or more points. The wineries participating in this Masterclass will be Bodegas Chivite, Bodegas Naia, Bodegas Marqués de Riscal, Tr3smano, Dominio de Atauta, Bodegas Rodríguez Y Sanzo and Álvaro Domecq. Webpage : https://guiapenin.wine/home
There you go folks, another wonderful post on my dear Spanish wines. Hoping for a long lasting memories of my dear Spain and its wine news. Again, hope you enjoy the series of wines news of Spain as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 