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Gran Sangre de Toro has won bronze at the International Wine Challenge

The range and quality of Spanish varietals currently available in Ireland is certainly worth cheering on, writes GILLIAN HAMILL

Brand Central

12 July 2010

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Gran Sangre de Toro has won bronze at the International Wine Challenge

Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world, and has an abundance of native grape varieties, with over 600 types planted throughout the country. Major Spanish wine regions include the Rioja and Ribera del Duero which are known for their Tempranillo production; Jerez, the home of the fortified wine Sherry; Rías Baixas in the northwest region of Galicia that is known for its white wines made from Albariño and Catalonia, including Cava and still wine producing regions of the Penedès as well as the Priorat region.

Meanwhile, in looking at Portugal’s wine regions, it is helpful to split the country in two, by drawing a line about a third of the way down its map. This separates the northern regions of the Douro, Dão and Bairrada, and the central and southern regions of the Alentejo, Ribatejo and Estremadura. As a useful generalization, the future for the northern regions lies in focusing on high-quality, top-end ‘terroir’ wines, while the strength of the southern and central regions is their ability to produce accessible, full flavoured red wines in large quantities and at affordable prices; new world-style wines with a Portuguese twist.

Gran Viña Sol received a commendation at both the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine awards this year

Torres towers above

The Torres family has been linked with wine for more than three centuries, during which time it has produced the finest of wines to the highest of quality. Torres Wines, distributed by Findlater Wines & Spirit group, continues to be the number one Spanish brand in Ireland.

The Torres range provides a wide selection of wines to suit every taste and budget right up to premium and super-premium offerings. Two selections from the range, Gran Viña Sol and Gran Sangre de Toro offer the wine consumer something special whilst still being excellent value for money – these wines really are the smart shopper’s choice.

Gran Viña Sol has been awarded a commendation at both the International Wine Challenge and the Decanter World Wine awards this year and Gran Sangre de Toro has won bronze at the International Wine Challenge. These wines are therefore both the experts and consumers’ top choice.

Gran Viña Sol is intensely aromatic and full-bodied. On the palate the wine has a long aftertaste and is silky with an elegant fullness. This wine can be enjoyed over dinner, and is a wonderful accompaniment to fish and seafood – Torres advises trying it with paella for a true taste of Spain.

If you prefer a rich and rewarding red wine, look no further than Gran Sangre de Toro. It’s an intense, ripe red wine, with fine spices and notes of blackberries. Enjoy a glass either on its own or with food. This wine goes well with a vegetarian option like stuffed peppers or a meat dish with spicy sauces.

(Findlater Wine & Spirit Group RRP Gran Viña Sol approx €12-13, Gran Sangre de Toro approx RRP €13-14).

Kanga can deliver

Mateus is an ever-popular summer drink, a refreshing rosé which is tempting served chilled. This year Mateus is delighted to offer an added value ‘Kanga pack’ which gives the consumer an extra quarter bottle free with the standard 75cl size bottle – an opportunity to enjoy even more of this favourite.

This new ‘Kanga pack’ format (75cl bottle + 18.75cl free) allows consumers to enjoy Mateus with a group of friends or after a hard day’s work as a treat over dinner. Mateus Rosé is ideal with light meals, grilled dishes including fish, and perfect with salads. It can be served as an aperitif or enjoyed whilst watching the sun set with friends; a taste of summer with an added free mini bottle.

Marqués de Riscal’s Rueda and 1860 Tempranillo have proved successful, with Rueda winning the Bacchus de Oro, the top award at the 2010 Bacchus International Wine competition

Oldest elegance

Marqués de Riscal, founded in 1860, is one of the oldest wineries in Rioja and the first winery to introduce French winemaking techniques. With vineyards in Rioja, Rueda, and Castilla y León, the range goes from elegant and refreshing whites to world class Gran Reserva Rioja.

Marqués de Riscal is the preferred wine of the Ryder Cup 2010. The winery has had huge success, in particular with its Rueda and 1860 Tempranillo due to their outstanding quality and excellent value for money. 1860 Tempranillo, from the Castilla y Leon region, is a wonderfully kept secret, a quality wine made the same way as top class rioja; from the same grape.

Rueda is a winner of the Bacchus de Oro, the top award at the 2010 Bacchus International Wine competition. Rueda is a welcome change from the usual grape varieties that Ireland’s wine lovers are constantly bombarded with. The delicate perfumed Verdejo gives an exciting easy drinking wine experience.

Marqués de Riscal’s history is based on two fundamental values, tradition and innovation. These two concepts have allowed it to achieve exceptional levels of quality, making its wines unique.

Authentic tradition

After almost 59 years, Campo Viejo continues to be a likeable, reliable wine easily accessible to consumers Campo Viejo was created in 1959 by two winemakers from the Spanish region of La Rioja, Beristain and Ortigüela. Its name comes from the area known as Campo Viejo – the Old Field – in the very heart of La Rioja. It’s the area’s first wine made in a rustic stone winery brimming with experiences, emotions and happiness.

At the start of the new century, a new Campo Viejo era began with construction of the new Juan Alcorta Winery. By applying the latest technologies to the winemaking process, and building part of the winery underground to naturally create the ideal conditions to produce and age wine, a return can be seen to the traditional winery process using all the advantages Mother Nature provides. The Juan Alcorta bodega vineyards consist of old vines, over 25 years old and mainly of the Tempranillo variety.

Campo Viejo has been reborn as a more authentic and current Rioja and after almost 59 years continues to be a likeable, reliable wine easily accessible to consumers. It remains loyal to its quality principles, managing every year to produce singular wines from its roots in the Rioja land, each with their own tempting personality.

This year Campo Viejo joined forces with the Martin Berastegui Cookery school in Northern Spain to develop a range of tapas, a culinary concept that comes from one of the oldest Spanish traditions.

The Campo Viejo tapas recipes were developed to suit the Campo Viejo range of wines and were showcased at a launch event in Odessa, Dublin hosted by renowned chef, Kevin Dundon.

For more information, visit www.winesfromspaininireland.wordpress.com

A journey through Spain

Summer is the perfect time to travel to Spain through its wines, according to the Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain. By discovering the Godello grape, consumers will fall in love again with the Verdejo and Albariño. Freshness and a distinctive personality make them special and set them apart from most international white wines. Spain also offers good value in rosé wines as well as in cavas. Those who give Jerez wines a try will also be impressed, with finos and manzanilla wines perfectly matching tapas and Asian food. The office also advises retailers not to forget Spain’s red wine offering; with Mencía or Monastrell grapes introducing consumers to a new world of fruitiness and round wines.

This summer Spain is taking the Irish market very seriously. This is therefore a very exciting time for Wines from Spain and the Commercial Office of the Embassy of Spain, a representative tells ShelfLife. A Summer promotion of the Wines of the St James Way has been launched to coincide with the Holy Year 2010 in Camino de Santiago.

From the beginning of June until the end of July, 100 independent wine stores in conjunction with Noffla will be showcasing a two month St. James’ Way wines promotion. What is more, consumers’ seminars on this topic are being held in June and August for Food&Wine magazine and Irish Times readers, as well as some individual press tastings.

On 9 September the “Summer tasting season” will be rounded off in impressive fashion with the Wines from Spain annual wine trade and press fair, entitled ‘Wines from Spain, The New Way’. This event involves 21 Irish importers, and showcases over 300 wines from Spain. A selection of ten jewels not yet available in Ireland will be present at this year’s event. Wineries from different areas in Camino (DO Rías Baixas, Bierzo, DOCa Rioja and Navarra) as well as from DO Ribera del Duero, Toro, Jerez, Málaga and others will provide retailers with additional value for their Spanish portfolio.

This year an exclusive seminar on Jerez wines will be presented by the director of the designation of origin, Cesar Saldaña. For the first time, the normally invitation only event will be opened to a select number of Food&Wine magazine readers who would like to enjoy and taste wines from Spain in the evening.

Check the website www.winesfromspaininireland.wordpress.com to keep up to date with the latest news in Ireland and information on the September event.

Cottoning on to El Coto

El Coto was founded in 1970 by a small group of extremely passionate Spanish wine makers and businessmen. The first vintage was released in 1975. Since then the wines from El Coto have gone from strength to strength. El Coto is now the number one selling Crianza in Spain as well as most of the rest of the world.

In Ireland El Coto de Rioja is the best selling Crianza in the independent off-licence sector. It’s subsequently a must try wine for all wine drinkers and with good reason; El Coto Crianza is a very well made wine. It’s full of soft, easy ripe strawberry and summer fruits with a lovely elegance and silky smooth finish.

In addition, El Coto also make quality white (Blanco) and rosé (Rosado) wines from Rioja as well as the ever popular Coto Imaz Reserva. El Coto de Rioja is distributed in Ireland by Mackenway Distributors Limited.

Internationally renowned innovator

Founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner, at Cenicero in the heart of La Rioja, Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres has today become a reputed brand of international renown. From the very beginning the bodega has always been an innovator with one constant goal of creating high quality wines with great personality.

Today Marqués de Cáceres is still a family run company and the family motto “Wine means everything to us” explains why it has remained a top ambassador for the wines from Rioja around the rest of the world.

Marqués de Cáceres is available exclusively through Cassidy Wines. For more information, please telephone 01 466 8900.

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