Wines news of Spain, XXXI

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 XXXI . Of course post No 31 for the non Romans, Hope you enjoy the post as I.

Bodega Ramón Bilbao launches a new wine tourism experience. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a sensorial and immersive journey to discover the winemaking process at this winery in Haro, La Rioja, which is opening spaces never before seen to the public. The highlight of the new tour is the audiovisual room, where visitors are immersed in an immersive experience with an immersive 3D projection that portrays the climate and region of La Rioja, thus understanding the soul of each glass of Ramón Bilbao. For the first time, visitors will be able to visit spaces never before opened to visitors, revealing the best-kept secrets of the winemaking processes and wines. These include the emblematic concrete tank room, where the search for the singular character of its wines is developed, and the most exclusive barrel room, where the winery’s most special and unique wines are aged. The Rioja winery has collaborated with several artists who reinterpret the essence of wine through art. Experiences such as Luz de Envero, created in collaboration with Kauani Studio (Inés Quezada and Inés Llasera), a light installation inspired by the veraison, the ripening stage of grapes. Using textile luminaires, it captures the beauty and translucency of the fruit in its transformation. Meanwhile, El Momento, a sculpture by artist Ana Domínguez, known for her work with luxury brands such as Hermès, symbolizes the fullness of Tempranillo at its peak ripeness, capturing the essence of the bunch at its peak. Finally, Urnas de Aromas, designed by Laura Dorado, an art director and set designer with clients such as Loewe, Mango, and Massimo Dutti, offers an immersive experience in which visitors can interact with the aromas of wine and its production process. Awesome !

The Jerez-Xérès-Sherry and Manzanilla de Sanlúcar de Barrameda Designations of Origin are seeking recognition of their fortified wines as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Jerez Designation of Origin has been a pioneer in promoting its wine culture, not only through the quality and diversity of its wines, but also through its close ties to history, art, and gastronomy. The solera system and biological aging, authentic processes of the region, are a manifestation of the knowledge passed down through generations and represent a clear example of how tradition and innovation can coexist. The application file, which will be submitted in the coming months, will highlight aspects such as the uniqueness of its production methods, their connection to sustained rural development, the attachment of the population to the local territory, and its ability to connect cultures through gastronomy, tradition, and history. Indeed should be a worthy addition.

Wine, must, and vinegar exports from Castilla-La Mancha grew by 0.2% in volume in 2024, reaching 14.1 million hectoliters, while turnover increased by 4.6% to €927 million. This growth was driven by a 4.3% rise in average prices, reaching 66 cents per liter, according to a report by Del Rey AWM. Although the increase in volume was lower than the national average of 2.2%, the growth in value, at 4.6%, was slightly higher than the 4.5% recorded for the country as a whole. Castilla-La Mancha maintains its position as the main wine-exporting autonomous community in Spain , accounting for more than half of the total volume (51.8%) and a quarter of the value (26.4%). By province, Ciudad Real consolidated its position as the region’s leading exporter, accounting for 56% of total turnover and 54% of volume. Albacete stood out in terms of turnover, growing by 11.3% to €152 million, while Toledo recorded a 5.6% increase in value, reaching €122.6 million, albeit with a 4% drop in volume. Castilla-La Mancha exported its products to 147 countries in 2024, but sales were concentrated in Germany, France , and Italy, which accounted for 51.3% of turnover and 67.1% of total volume. Portugal, the fourth largest destination for wines from Castilla-La Mancha, suffered a 38% drop in volume and a 32.5% drop in value. The Netherlands and Japan recorded turnover growth of 15.7% and 10.8%, respectively. In contrast, sales to the United Kingdom fell 15%, those to the United States fell 25.7%, and those to China fell 36%, continuing the downward trend seen in previous years.

The Spanish wine sector is closely monitoring the evolution of tariff policy in the United States
, a key market that has seen growth in Spanish wine imports in the final months of 2024. Spain
is positioned as the fourth largest supplier of wine to the United States by value, with a 7.4% growth in 2024, reaching $391.4 million. In volume, it ranks seventh with 67.3 million liters exported, representing a 3.1% increase over the previous year. According to the report by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Association (OIVE), the United States purchased an additional 4.5 million liters of Spanish wine and spent $27.1 million more compared to 2023.

The choice of cork is key to ensuring the quality and longevity of each bottle. Cork Supply has gone a step further with its new patented X100 technology , designed to ensure the elimination of all natural corks with deviations in oxygen ingress. Legacy , a natural cork born under demanding quality parameters that begin in the cork oak forests and are developed during production under the innovative X100 technology, a Cork Supply patent. X100 is a technology that analyzes 100% of the natural corks in a batch to detect those with an internal structure that could compromise the oxygen transfer rate (OTR). Through non-invasive electromagnetic scanning, X100 scans each cork and, using an artificial intelligence algorithm, evaluates its internal structure to determine if it meets ideal permeability standards. If a cork does not comply, it is discarded. This means that wineries can trust that each bottle will have a predictable evolution, without unpleasant surprises due to variations in OTR. In addition to functional consistency, Cork Supply focuses on eliminating sensory deviations from closures that could affect the wine. To this end, Legacy complements X100 with the premium DS100 service, in which a team of specialized tasters analyzes 100% of the corks in a batch. If a cork presents sensory deviations caused by TCA (trichloroanisole) or other unwanted compounds, it is rejected. In addition, they also have
DS100+ , an automated technology that examines 100% of the corks in a batch and rejects all those with TCA levels above the sensory threshold. TCA is responsible for the dreaded cork taint, which can ruin the wine experience. Thanks to these three innovations that define Legacy, it is guaranteed that every cork that arrives at a winery is free of these defects. Cork Supply España, Calle Miguel Villanueva, 11 ,Logroño (La Rioja) webpage: www.corksupply.com

Bodegas José Pariente was founded in 1998 by winemaker Victoria Pariente, in honor of her father, José Pariente, who in the 1960s began producing artisanal white wines with high-quality Verdejo grapes
from his vineyards in Rueda . Today, the winery is managed by the third generation, siblings Ignacio and Martina Prieto Pariente, children of Victoria Pariente. Bodegas José Pariente offers various wine tourism experiences, allowing visitors to learn about the production processes of their wines and enjoy tastings in a unique setting. Visits include tours of the production and aging rooms, as well as guided tastings of their wines. They also offer personalized experiences and private events. Some of their nice drinkable wines are : Victoria Rosé Winbe 2023 from Castilla y León This rosé is made from a blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo, and Viognier grapes, fermented at low temperatures to preserve its fresh, fruity aromas.
José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc 2023: This wine is made exclusively from Sauvignon Blanc grapes, fermented in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature to maintain its freshness. José Pariente Verdejo 2023: Made from Verdejo grapes, fermented in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature to preserve its varietal aromas. José Pariente Verdejo Fermentado en Barrica 2022 : This wine is made from Verdejo grapes, fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 6 months. José Pariente La Medina 2023
: This wine is made from selected grapes from old vineyards, fermented in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature. The grapes come from vineyards located in La Seca , like all those mentioned above.

The second most planted variety in the D.O. Rueda produces fresh, aromatic, and elegant wines that are well worth a little attention. While Verdejo is the queen variety with almost 18,000 hectares cultivated, Sauvignon Blanc is in second place with more than 1,600 hectares, according to 2022 data. These are some of my favorites: Naia Sauvignon Blanc by Bodegas Naia founded in 2002 and is located in the town of La Seca (province of Valladolid), considered the Grand Cru of Rueda, as it is home to some of the oldest vineyards in the appellation. It is precisely here that this single-variety Sauvignon Blanc is born, showcasing the uniqueness and expression that this variety is capable of achieving in the region. Its respectful production, which includes spontaneous fermentation in used 600-liter barrels and a six-month barrel aging in contact with its lees, enhances the freshness and delicacy of this wine that wins the hearts of fans of the Castilian variety. Palacio de Bornos Sauvignon Blanc , This Sauvignon, which costs less than 10 euros, has just won the gold medal at one of the most prestigious competitions held in France, the Challenge International du Vin 2024 in Bordeaux. It is produced by hand harvesting. The result of the fermentation is a wine that reflects the purity and authentic expression of the French variety in the Rueda area. Intense aromas of tropical fruit, subtle herbaceous touches, and an addictive mineral background, giving way to a powerful and elegant palate, perfectly balanced. Javier Sanz Sauvignon Blanc, Made from vines over 40 years old, grown in the La Seca vineyard, this Sauvignon Blanc is another of the great representatives of the variety in the Rueda area. A fruitier, fresher and more pleasant single-variety wine, ideal as an aperitif or to accompany seafood and fish. With aromas of lime and white flowers, hints of pineapple and passion fruit, in the mouth it stands out for its lively acidity, freshness and tropical flavors. José Pariente Sauvignon Blanc,(see above) The Pariente family’s Sauvignon Blanc is made with grapes from old vines planted more than 40 years ago in the Rueda area. After a grape selection and cold maceration, the wine ferments and ages on its own lees for four months in stainless steel tanks. The result is a fresh, intense and delicious white, with surprising gastronomic versatility.

Bodegas Emilio Moro presents La Felisa, a wine born from a passion for authenticity, made with the utmost respect for the vine and the terroir of the Ribera del Duero. This wine has an intense cherry red color, fresh and balanced, with a silky and persistent texture. Its soul is Tempranillo in its purest form, and it can be defined as a simple wine with personality.

For the intense beauty of its aromas. For a skeleton with the soft but unmistakable imprint of bodega La Rioja Alta, S.A. and for the predominantly red fruit that fills it. For its deep seriousness, balsamic freshness, roundness and balance. And also for the kind expression and outstanding elegance that distinguish it, along with that sensation so difficult to describe and so easy to identify: charm. Viña Ardanza 2019 has marked memories of cherry and licorice, light hints of plum and a long list of spicy notes , Viña Ardanza 2019 Tempranillo (80%) and Garnacha (20%), Go for it !

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 !!!

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