“I believe Cariñena is positioned to take a vibrant place on the world wine stage. It is not (yet) so well known as regions slightly to the north like Ribera del Duero and Rioja, nor is it (yet) so trendy as Priorat and Toro, but Cariñena’s day is coming.” @FizzFan
The first week we learnedthatGarnacha from Cariñena is special because of “its inherent adaptability to the varying degreesofterroir – which equates to levels of flavours that appeal to many palates.” The high altitude vineyards “descend into dramatic windswept plains that benefit from extreme day-to-night temperature differences, ideal conditions for rich, expressive wines crafted from layers of rock, mineral, and earth.” Located in the heart of the Ebro Valley in Spain’s northeast regionofAragón,
D.O.P. Cariñena is bordered by the Pyrenees and France to the north, and Catalunya to the east. Its winemaking history dates back to the Roman era.
Week 2 of 4 #winestudio on #garnacha from @VinosCarinena features these 2: a rose and old vine both $10 T 4-14 6pst pic.twitter.com/OSE190as3i
— Gwendolyn Alley, MA (@ArtPredator) April 14, 2015
In Week 3 of 4 T April 21 6pst #WineStudio we’ll taste and discuss these 2 #garnacha from @VinosCarinena#joinuspic.twitter.com/TZJR3TLFMv — Gwendolyn Alley, MA (@ArtPredator) April 14, 2015
For tonight’s Wine Studio at 6pm PST, we will taste two wines from Bodegas San Valero, specifically, low-yield plots that produce age-worthy and complex wines. With the longest history in Cariñena, Bodegas San Valero (Grupo BSV) has accessed prominent vineyards in the region for over 70 years. One of the most progressive wineries in Cariñena, Grupo BSV combines “passion and respect for tradition with modern wine making techniques” to produce affordable wine which include: Bodegas San Valero, 2014 Castillo Ducay Tinto Joven SRP: $7.99-$9.99 a blend of Garnacha, tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon; and Bodegas San Valero, 2013 Particular Cariñena SRP: $14.99.
Final week of #winestudio focus on #garnacha with @ProtocolWine @VinosCarinena we taste these 2 T April 28 6pst pic.twitter.com/1yfjoTtz7x — Gwendolyn Alley, MA (@ArtPredator) April 14, 2015
In our final week, on April 28, we will taste two wines from Bodegas Paniza and learn about microclimates and soils.
Named for the village where the winery is located and where growers have cared for their vineyards for generations, Bodegas Paniza was founded nearly 60 years ago. The rise of the Sistema Ibérico Mountain range brings cooling influences even in the peak of summer to the highest elevation area of D.O.P. Cariñena. Microclimates include limestone, sand, and clay stone soils; this allows the wine making team to choose from a variety of vineyards to find the balance they desire for the wine they seek to make. We will be tasting: Bodegas Paniza, 2012 Viñas Viejas de Paniza Garnacha SRP: $18; and Bodegas Paniza, 2008 Paniza Artigazo SRP: $27.
So who’s ready for garnacha? I am! I only have to wait 4 more hours! Join us and learn about this region of Spain! Follow the hashtag #winestudio and connect with @vinoscarinena to stay on top of all the latest news of this emerging region.