Delightful Wines from Grapes You Never Heard Of
They Are Not From France, Italy, or Germany. How About Spain?
Sep 9, 2009
Spanish wine grapes have been planted in the U.S. for about 100 years, and have produced some exceptionally good wines. But they have been neglected in modern times by wine growers and producers in favor of the more popular varieties with French and Italian origins. But now more and more wineries are planting those two Spanish grapes, and the wines made from them are finding enthusiastic fans.
Tempranillo
By far the production leader of the two Spanish grapes is Tempranillo, the grape that produces Spain’s premier Rioja wines. The wine is dark red, fruity, and has minimal tannin, making it easy and delicious to drink young. More than 40 wineries from Texas to Canada,including Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and Ontario are producing Tempranillo wine. Most of the 40 are in California. Among the leaders is Artesa Vineyards in Napa Valley’s Carneros region. Artesa is owned by a Spanish wine family, Cordoniu, that dates back to the 14th century. Other leading producers are Viader, Goosecross, and Parador.
Fruit flavors are right up front in Tempranillo. Tasting notes list blackberry, cherry, and plum, followed by chocolate and spice.
There is even a Tempranillo fan club, called TAPAS, which stands both for the Spanish small-plate tasty dishes and Tempranillo Advocates Producers and Amigos Society. TAPAS web site lists many of the wineries with links to their web sites. TAPAS is headquartered in Phoenix, and holds annual tastings in major cities. TAPAS also promotes Albarino wines.
List prices range from $16 to $30.
Albarino
Albarino grapes produce Spain’s most popular white wine. The grapes are grown primarily in the Rias Baixos region on Spain’s Northwest Coast. They have been planted only in the past 20 years in the New World. The Albarino pioneer vintner in California is the Verdad Winery in the Santa Inez Valley, Northeast of Santa Barbara. Other producers today, in California, include Artesa, Cambiata, Tangent Winery, and Havens Wine Cellars. It is produced in Oregon by Abacela Winery.
Albarino is a clean, refreshing wine, with a flintiness similar to Chablis, and with a lasting finish. It has been called a cross between a sauvignon blanc and a dry Riesling, and to a Gewurztraminer. Tasting notes list flavors of citrus, pineapple, and lemon meringue pie. Albarino has a characteristic aroma of orange blossoms.
List prices are about the same as for Tempranillo.
Because of the growing popularity of Albarino and Tempranillo wine, releases often sell out quickly. Consider joining a wine club at one of the producing wineries to be sure to get in early on the releases. Some, such as Artesa, have included Tempranillo in wine club selections.
Here's another idea. Include a Tempranillo and Albarino in a blind tasting or wine and food pairing you put on for your friends or family.
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