The 2024 calendar of events kicked off in Teddington and Richmond over the past week, with the focus being on Spanish reds other than Tempranillo.
This gave everyone a chance to explore some lesser known grape varieties and regions of Spain that are often in the shadow of Rioja and Ribera del Duero.
Galicia featured quite strongly and many of us reminisced about our tour there in 2019. Galicia experiences much higher levels of rainfall than the rest of Spain so grape varieties have adapted to be more resistant to botrytis and mildew. Sousao, Brancellao and the better known Mencia grapes showed the vibrant fruitiness and approachability that they are capable of. Two Mencia wines from Ribera Sacra rounded off our events with great style and elegance.
More revelation was to follow as we moved from the cooler northwest to the hotter south east. Areas around Valencia and Alicante are home to the indigenous Bobal and Monastrell (Mourvedre or Mataro in France and Australia). These produced more robust, structured styles but still oozing fruit and the Hecula Monastrell was an absolute steal at £11.50.
We did feature Rioja but in a pure Graciano varietal form – it eminently demonstrated the colour and perfume that this grapes imparts to a Rioja blend.
Syrah was our final focus and while not indigenous to Spain, it is a grape that thrives in the heat and thus ideally suited to central Spain or the Priorat/Terra Alta areas of Catalonia.
A great start to the year!
For details of the wines, please visit the Wines we have tasted page.
