For our 148th tasting for our group, we stepped away from Valencia and introduced some regional grape varieties from across Spain. This was made possible by Mapi Domingo, the bodega´s lead winemaker who invited us first to a tasting at Finca Calderon, (their new eno-resort).

All of the wines in this outstanding range are mono-varietal (there are around 20 wines) and we selected six for this tasting.

The White Wines.

1. Malvar 2024, Raíces Ibéricas, DO Vino de Madrid 13% ABV.

Malvar is a White grape variety which is cultivated mainly within the Madrid region, but you can find it around Cuenca, Cáceres, Ribera del Guadiana and La Mancha. It is the most widely cultivated variety (and it has adapted well to the continental climate with hot, dry summers, though less so to harsh Spring frosts in  DO Madrid and produces wines which are best when young, are unctuous, fresh, fruity, and medium-bodied. This wine has three months of Crianza in oak with daily batonnage on the lees.

Pale yellow, clean and bright with green and gold flashes. On the nose, very clean, fresh, with medium expression, white flowers, aromatic notes, white fruit, and a generous mineral note. In the mouth, you barely note the wood; the fruit is predominant, it is well-structured, with excellent volume, it is unctuous, creamy and has a long finish.  

2. Treixadura 2024, Raíces Ibéricas, DO Ribero, 12.5% ABV

Treixadura is a regional grape variety from Galicia and is usually blended in Rias Baixas, Monterrei and Ribero. It is also a variety used in Portugal’s Vinho Verde. It generally produces wines which are balanced with medium to high alcohol and medium to low acidity. This wine has three months in oak with battonage on the lees for 2 months.

Pale straw colour, clean and bright with a steely edge and green flashes. Medium expression, saline, mineral notes, a delicate aromatic note, with white fruits, pear and apple, citrus notes of lime and grapefruit, and floral and herby notes. The acidity comes towards the end of the pass through the mouth; it is fresh, elegant, and the citrus notes hold the wine together, giving it a long finish and lemony aftertaste. Recommended with shellfish.

3. Eva 2024, Raíces Ibéricas, Vino de la Tierra de Extremadura, 11.5% ABV.

Beba (or Eva) is both a table and wine grape from Extremadura. It produces fresh and fruity wines, light in character for Summer drinking. Fermented in Stainless steel tanks under temperature control.

A young, fresh wine with an easy drinking profile. Vibrant aromatic nose, exotic fruits with citrus notes. Notable fresh acidity on entry, light and refreshing wine. Definitely a summer drinker! White fish, shellfish and light cheeses will go well with this wine.

4. Garnacha Blanca 2022, Raíces Ibéricas, DO Terra Alta, 14% ABV.

Garnacha Blanca is a mutant of Garnacha Tinta, found in the Rhone Valley of France and the North East of Spain. Most usually, it is found in the Catalan Provinces of Lerida, Tarragona, Barcelona, and Girona, which form the DO Terra Alta. It produces high alcohol and medium-acidity wines. It takes its refreshing notes from the North and South West winds. Ageing with the lees for two months with batonnage twice weekly.

A very pale colour, clean and bright. On the nose, you note the pear and apple fruit, with a mineral touch. Spice, rosemary, and citrus notes appear.

Creamy and full of volume on entry, mature fruit and a big acidity which is very well integrated into the wine. Great with baked fish but also paella, seafood rice and fideuá dishes.

The Red Wines.

5. Juan García, 2021, Raíces Ibéricas, DO Arribes, 13.5% ABV.

Juan Garcia is a regional variety from Salamanca in the Zamora province. In Castilla y León, it is sometimes blended. A late starter, it avoids the Spring frosts. It is also very resistant to plagues and mildew. This wine has two weeks of maceration with the skins after fermentation and also with the lees. Then 6 months in oak.

Medium bodied, black cherry colour, long, slow, glycerinous legs. Very fresh fruit, eucalyptus notes, mature red fruits (raspberry, redcurrant and cherries), menthol and a tobacco leaf note. All of this is carried forward on entry, fresh, minty notes, spicy notes from the oak. This is a wine with a light touch but great length. Recommended with milk-fed lamb or chicken skewers.

6. Prieto Picudo, 2021, Raíces Ibéricas, León, Vino de España, 13% ABV.

A red variety with lots of colour, notable acidity and well-charged with sugar and tannins. It is a native of Castilla y León. There is a little in the Alto Turia, e.g. at Ahillas, it is an early starter and susceptible to early frosts. From very stony soils.

Another lighter-bodied red wine, cherry in colour with long, slow, abundant legs. A super expressive nose, fresh raspberry, cherry in liquor, jam, and spicy notes. Very fruity on entry, you note the tannin a little, the fresh acidity, with a long, elegant finish full of spice and black fruits. Recommended with stews and Bacalao al pil pil.

Conclusion.

This tasting was very educational, opening up both different varieties and regional styles to the group, and the wines were considered of exceptional quality and were enjoyed very much.