Only Red Wines

Although trendy is the digital world and all that is now called "social networks", have been around for a lot of time, and almost since man discovered wine. Drink it and enjoy it in a group is the origin of the social network around this food. Sometimes drunk in moderation, sometimes as bacchanal, but made ​​people gather together around this drink for fun, out of business, love, celebrate an event, etc ...

We live in a society too globalized, but also very impersonal, sometimes you may find your neighbor and do not know, when you wear ten years living together in the same building. Interpersonal relationships often encounter obstacles that we put on ourselves, such as social status, socioeconomic level, distance, tastes and preferences when interacting, and countless of them we could enumerate.

The wine has served to strengthen many relationships like this for centuries, and the Greeks, Phoenicians and Romans considered it a drink to cleanse the soul and our worries and assured the healing the sadness (Séneca 4 - 65 BC. ), and later was used to celebrate victories in major battles or to sit at the table to warriors and peasants who drowned their sorrows after a day of long and hard work.

In this century, so modern and advanced, still use the wine to get together around a table and celebrate simple things like that one day we first met around a glass of wine and now occasionally we still celebrate seeing, we have become good friends and share a social life that never before could have had as much internet we have at our disposal.

It is important in this world to share experiences like this makes us better people, more tolerant, more open to meeting people from other cultures, our children become friends and between them seems to be known of all life, and if at some point given someone leaves the social network, quiet waiting list to join the group and continue to grow.

Selected varieties, vines over 80 years. Manual selection and fermentation in tanks of 3,000 liters.

Tasting Notes 

 
Wine temperature was about 13 ° C. Glass for red wine Schott Zwisesel Pure Loop Cabernet.

 
Color and nuance: Cherry color, clean and bright, upper middle layer.

 

Nose:  Nose in that arise aromas of fruit red fresh such as currants and violets, black pepper notes and menthol flavors.

Flavour of the Wine: The palate is fresh and very intense, somewhat tannic and with a very strong minty aftertaste.

Overall impression :Powerful wine with personality. Fruit flavors and menthol are quite present

 

Presentation : Bottle of 75 cl. Bordeaux type, funny label.

Monteagudo Ruíz S.L.
Plaza San Pedro, nº 17 y 18
Casas de Santa Cruz (CUENCA)

SPAIN

Telefono: 967 493 828
Fax: 967 493 828

100% Bobal variety used. Vines of plot 'La Beata' in the subarea of 'La Muela' in the municipality of Requena, old strains ensured over 80 years. Production of less than 1.5 kg per vine. Blend of several vintages (2005-10%, 2006-60% and 2007 - 30%). Aged in French oak barrels of fine grain (70% new and 30% second use). Stay in bottle 12 months before marketing.

Tasting Notes 

 
Wine temperature was about 15 ° C. Glass for red wine Spiegelau Authentics 01.

 
Color and nuance:: Color intense cherry and plum, which remain dark shades violet edges of the glass, high layer due to its high concentration.

Nose:  High aromatic intensity, continuously evolves in the glass from the first service. Persistent red fruit and black ripe aromas, presence of aromas of wild berries jam, balsamic, a freshly plucked roots, stone aromas  and Mediterranean undergrowth, is quite complex and constantly evolving.

Flavour of the Wine: The palate is dense and balanced, with a large structure, has a very mature and sweet tannin, reappear balsamic aftertaste and good doses of crystallized fruit.

Overall impression :An elegant wine, sweet, ripe, high expression of a selection of fruit from old vines and worked perfectly, its long aging and blending of different vintages, makes a delicious nectar and assembled good.

Presentation : Double glass Bottle of 75 cl. Bordeaux type, artistic label.

About the cellar:

 

Wine is another piece in the food pyramid and a "food" of the Mediterranean diet, taking it in moderation and with the meals, is healthy for the organism.

1. Taking care of Heart: many studies have shown that regular and moderate consumption of red wine helps in better blood circulation and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. Delay of dementia: moderate consumption of red wine may help delay the onset of dementia and other forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's. 

3. Helps bones: Swedish studies have found that drinking an average of 5-10 glasses of red wine per week can cut the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis by over 50% compared to non-wine drinkers. In addition, other studies have concluded that moderate consumption of red wine is associated with increased bone density in Seniors women, thereby reducing their risk of developing osteoporosis. 

 4. Helps keep colds and flu far: a Spanish study found that those who consumed 8 to 14 glasses of red wine a week were less likely to catch a cold.

5. Descends risk of diabetes: people who consume moderate amounts of wine are more likely to prevent type 2 diabetes.

6. It reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels: Spanish researchers conclude that the grapes that are used for red wine contains significant levels of fiber. They found that the fiber and antioxidants found in the variety Tempranillo, in particular, seem to further reduce blood pressure and cholesterol than other known sources of fiber such as oats. "Other benefits of moderate wine consumption is increasing HDL (good cholesterol)" adds Rosa Maria Lamuela.

7. Reduces the risk of throat cancer: According to a study, drinking wine in moderation may protect against the development of cancer of the esophagus.

8. Stimulates the heart before exercise: according to Douglas McKeag, director of Sports Medicine at the University of Indiana, "is not harmful to your health if you drink some wine before exercise, in fact, stimulates the heart." Another physical benefit is the expansion of blood vessels and relaxing the muscles.


9. It helps you to stay awake: according to a study, the grapes for winemaking is rich in melatonin, a hormone that not only will espabila at night but also works as a strong antioxidant and detoxifies cells.

10. Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease: European scientists have linked moderate consumption of alcohol, especially wine, to higher levels of fatty acids and Omega 3 in the blood. Such acids help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

LasdosCes 2010

 

Wine type 
Young red wine aged in oak


Grape Varieties

 Bobal, Tempranillo and Syrah


Elaboration

Each variety is vinified separately. Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature of less than 25° C followed by a maceration period of two weeks for the Tempranillo and three weeks for the Syrah. The cap is punched down (turbo-pigeage) two times per day to ensure gentle extraction and the wine is racked and returned (délestage) twice during maceration at one and two thirds of the fermentation process.

The free-run wine of each variety is then aged in two and three-year old French oak barrels during five months. The blending of both varieties takes place just before bottling.

 

Tasting Notes

Wine temperature was about 13 ° C. Glass for red wine Spiegelau Authentics 01.

Color and nuance: Bright vibrant cherry red with a brilliant shiny violet rim highlighting the wine’s youth..

Nose : Predominance of red fruit. Soft toasted aromas with subtle balsamic notes.

 
Flavour of the Wine: Fresh, smooth and intense. Underlined silky sensation of the Syrah and structure of Bobal.

Overall impression : The relatively short crianza/ageing process results in a youthful, meaty and fruity wine that will match very well with blue fish or fatty fish like sardines, fresh anchovies, mackerel, trout, tuna, bonito, salmon and swordfish - fish with strong flavours complementing the structure and body of such a young wine..

Presentation : Bottle of 75 cl. Bordeaux type, artistic label.

About the cellar:

Finca Carrascal. Vereda San Antonio.
Requena. 

VALENCIA SPAIN
t. +34 96 341 03 95

chozas@chozascarrascal.es 

This wine comes from our vineyards over 60 years that starts a clear way the potential quality and equilibrium necessary for the production of a wine with character. Harvest in boxes in late October with a choice of grapes in the winery entrance. Long and peculiar elaboration with phases of cold macerating pre-fermentation and short fermentation at low temperatures. Following this stage the wine malolactic fermentation takes in new barrel 100% French oak new aging it for 6 months.

Tasting Notes

Wine temperature was approximately 16 ° C. Glass Tempranillo type.

Color and nuance: Colour cherry red high layer and violet edges.

Nose: Good nose with red and black fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants very well taken by an accompaniment to creamy and light barrel toast, a spiced and some licorice.

Flavor of the wine: on the palate very yummy, fruity, round tannins, good acidity and light touches of vanilla, smoke and roasted ..

Overall impression: very fresh wine, balanced, with all the characteristics of a wine Bobal, but with adequate soft tannin to accompany meals with high protein content.

Presentation : Bottle of 75 cl. burgundy type, artistic label.

About the Cellar:

Bodega Sierra Norte

Polígono Industrial El Romeral

C/Del Transporte C2

C.P. 46340 Requena – Valencia (SPAIN) 

 

Tel: +34 96 2323099

info@bodegasierranorte.com

http://www.bodegasierranorte.com

One of the small wineries that have Requena in his term, large wine bottles, is Finca Ardal. This winery nineteenth century who founded one of the ancestors of the present family Gil-Orozco, who from 1996 took over this project to produce wines of quality, using the vineyard and the situation surrounding the winery.

The new winery is currently located in the old building where wines were produced double paste today has attached a new area where wines are made in stainless steel tanks, using technology for the development and preservation of wine, there is also a barrel cellar in the basement of the house where the wine rests between 6 and 14 months to produce these quality wines then I will comment.

The vineyard is composed of traditional plants Bobal and Tempranillo, dating from 80 and 40 years to which were added more recently planted plants like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz. Each variety has its cycle and its collection and are vinified separately to seek the highest expression of them and then assemble for wines that the winery produces. The Bobal single variety has its own production and also this winery is inside Primum Bobal Association, which brings together seven wineries that are committed this type of grape as a quality product and unique in the world. 

After the tour we tasted the wines of the cellar, starting with a 'coupage' of little aging (6 months) of Tempranillo, Syrah and Bobal, a wine with a ruby red with a brilliant tone, on the nose predominated red fruit, some mineral character and very elegant spiced undertones. In the mouth fresh and voluminous, with a short but very intense aftertaste, a fairly young wine, named of a 2006 harvest TANUS name. This name evokes certain vestiges of Roman empire was found on the farm and texts written in stone have his name taken. 

Also tasted another 'coupage' in this case of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot, named Ocho Cuerdas 2006 vintage, this wine's name is in memory of 8-string guitar, the founder of the winery invented in his facet as artist, this is a little more evolved because their passage through French barrels more than 12 months, but it the color is ruby with orange border more, glyceric and upper middle layer. The nose is more complex, finding spices like cinnamon, cloves, leaves of snuff, leather and candied black fruit. The palate still has a remarkable tannin but also friendly, long aftertaste with great memories to high roast and smoked. 

Another wine that we tasted at the winery, but I personally if I've done it several times, is the single variety Ocho Cuerdas Bobal, of dark purple, intense, high cape. Clear and brilliant. A complex aroma of ripe red fruit on a background spiced (ground pepper). Well integrated with good quality wood . Enters the mouth smoothly with a long aftertaste. This wine is round and balanced, fleshy, with sweet tannins and good polished.

A very charming small winery that makes wines of great quality and good price / quality ratio. 

 

Marqués de Cáceres Gran Reserva 2001 wines are produced from vintages as 'excellent' or 'very good'. Depending on the vintage, these fine wines are aged in premium quality oak barrels from central France for 26-28 months, followed by as much as 4 years in bottle. Gran Reservas are, therefore, vinified in such away that their fruit and freshness acquire a unique complexity through ageing.

85% Tempranillo and 15% Graciano & Grenache

The weather conditions, in 2001 vintage, was mild and humid during the autum and winter season until the vines budded in the spring when temperatures were cool with no incidence of frost. Summer began with unusually high temperatures and was rather dry specially during the months of August and September. Some light rain during the last fortnight in September favoured the maturation of the grapes. The harvest took place between 8th and 27th October in very favourable weather conditions allowing us to pick very fine and healthy grapes as these reached perfect maturity.

Taste notes:

 

Intense, dark cherry-red colour. Complex bouquet that reveals a splendid balance of mature fruit and delicate touch of spice (vanilla, refined leather) from the french oak. Powerful in the mouth with sensations of fleshy, cristallised fruit that highlight a pleasant fullness in which the slightly toasted notes from the wood are perfectly integrated. A very elegant wine that promises to develop splendily in bottle.

An ideal wine to accompany game dishes in sauce or ragout, lamb or beef with spices (roast, stewed or grilled), and mature or blue cheese.

Serve between 16º-18º C.

The vegetative cycle and maturation took place slowly, allowing us to perform a slow and selective harvest collecting extremely high quality grapes, thanks also to very moderate yields. Manual harvesting was carried out, plot by plot, collecting grapes based on the maturity of each vine, thereby ensuring that most of the grapes entered the winery at their optimum point of maturity, with excellent health and a good balance between acidity and polyphenols, ideal characteristics for must with a strong aromatic expression.

Composition and origin: Tempranillo with a small percentage of Mazuelo (5 %), from our vineyards located in Altos Vallecilla, Calvo and Camino de la Iglesia plots, beside the winery.

Production and ageing: The grapes were collected in boxes and taken to the winery on refrigerated platforms where they remained until they reached 4°C. They were, then, destemmed, crushed and poured into stainless steel tanks where they remained for about 3 days at under 12°C, to achieve cold maceration and primary fermentation bolstering their characteristics. Alcoholic fermentation occurred over 15 days at a set temperature of 27 °C. 51% of the coupage of this wine underwent malolactic fermentation in new French and American oak barrels, with weekly battonage for the duration of the process (46 days). The rest of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 34 days, with the movement of lees every 15 days.

The wine underwent 21 months of ageing in barrels made of French oak (68.8%), Caucasian oak (20.8%) with the rest made of American oak. During this period it was decanted three times using the traditional method from barrel to barrel, with the final coupage in February 2010.

Barón d’Alba Wineries and Vineyards opened for business by planting 15 hectares of vineyards of Macabeo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Monastrell, Syrah and Tempranillo, with the idea of obtaining from them the highest expression of quality and not of quantity. As they were familiar with the exceptional quality of Les Useres area grapes, they decided to build a winery in their own vineyard. This was an idyllic spot called CLOS D’ ESGARRACORDES from which you can see an extraordinary outlook of vineyards and a wide area of the region. 

For this project we joined a group of professionals, who were involved in obtaining the best quality for our wines, sparing no effort and make sure that the whole process, involved in getting a great wine from the vineyard to the consumer, was achieved.

This is an exceptional vineyard of 15 hectares, located in L’Alcalaten which is the lowest part of the Les Useres district. It lies at an altitude of 200 meters and enjoys a suitable microclimate for the production of high quality wines. The vineyard is planted by the street system, on trellis with a double Royat cordon. We use a planting density of 2600 vines per hectare and with a per plant production limited to a maximum of 1.5 to 1.75 kg per vine, depending on variety, making a closely monitoring of the growth cycle of the vine in order to obtain a high quality fruit.

The ground is loamy with clay, as well as both sandy and rocky, with high calcium content. Therefore, we have a vineyard with the two main features associated with the quality of the renowned wine regions: stony and limestone lands.

From the standpoint of climate, this area is located a few kilometers from the Mediterranean Sea, but has a moderate influence, thereof to be protected by the mountains that divide it. Rainfall is approximately 450 litres per year, vineyard orientation, hours of sun and humidity are ideal for obtaining the best quality. This combination of factors which is difficult to find, explains the proven quality, harvest to harvest, of wines from our harvest.

The exterior of the winery is a fine stone building, that gives it personality. Unique for its murals with pictorial representations dedicated to the vintage. It is beautiful, as well as having stucco walls throughout the interior of the winery. It is equipped with processing deposits with up to 10,000 litres capacity each, equivalent to 8,200 kilograms of grapes. All are equipped with modern cooling system to control the fermentation temperatures, allowing us to heat or cool warehouses in a much shorter time and to exercise a perfect control over the fermentation.

The warehouse is composed of:
- 1 tank of 15,000 liters.
- 3 fermentation tanks of 10,000 litres of stainless steel.
- 3 fermentation tanks of 5,000 litres.
- 4 fermentation tanks of 3,000 litres.
- 1 cask of 6,000 litres oak.
Besides, there we can find devatting and peak tanks with a capacity of 72,000 litres.

The barrel room is excavated below ground and it is equipped with an air conditioning system that allows not only ventilating the warehouse, but also allows controlling the temperature and moisture at desired levels.
The arches that support the barrel room together with careful lighting create a unique atmosphere, where lie French oak barrels for aging wine.

It is equipped with the same air-conditioning as the barrel room. It has a capacity of 70 crates of bottles. In this warehouse the wine completes his ripening process fully before its release.

Fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature and long maceration, applying cutting-edge winemaking techniques.The malolactic fermentation takes place in oak tubs, prior to its aging in French and American oak barrels.The barrel ageing room it is perfect for ventilation, humidity and temperature, where the wine remains in barrels until its optimal stage of ripening, being not less than 14 months.

Once the blending of our wines is fulfilled, it is bottled, where it will continue with its ripening in a bottle for a minimum of eight months. This is in order to guarantee the consumer a wine in which we have placed the utmost care, at all stages, in order to obtain a wine of great quality.

Bodegas y Viñedos Barón d'Alba S.L.
Clos d'Esgarracordes, partida Vilar la Call 10
12118 Les Useres (Castellón) España

+ 34 964 767 306 - +34 608 032 884 - info@barondalba.com

In 1876, Mrs Filomena Pons y Pons, paternal great-grandmother of the Martínez Roda family, founded a wine and spirit making company in the Grao de Valencia region. Very soon afterwards, she began to export wines, a tradition which was to be kept by the generations to come. However, one of her grandsons, Francisco Martínez Bermell, who had been managing the winemaking of the company in the Utiel - Requena region since the 1940s, decided to break away and start his own company in Requena. He began to introduce new varietals such as tempranillo, which had never been grown in the area before, and in very close association with Pascual Carrion Carrion, then manager of the Requena Winemaking Station, started adopting new winemaking techniques which would substantially improve the quality of the wines of the region.

 

  
The CASA DON ANGEL estate comprises of the main house,winery, garden and agricultural land. It is situated in the borough of Utiel, at "La Cabezuela", which lies 2.5km west of the estate. To the east, it forms a border with the Rambla de Estenas (watercourse) which in turn is the natural border of the borough of Requena.

This family owned concern trades as a limited company, the Martínez Roda family being sole owners.At present the estate houses an elegant Art Nouveau mansion built in 1919, following the guidelines of the era, as well as the original cellar, since upgraded and streamlined. Adjoining this, the new cellar, ageing plant, bottling plants and museum are found.

With the exception of a couple of almond trees lining its pathways, the estate is dedicated entirely to the growing of vines. These range from over a hundred year old Bobal vines to the recently planted ones.

The vineyards are situated on a gentle slope stretching from the Sierra de Juan Navarro to the Vega del Magro (plains) very near the Rambla de Estenas (watercourse). Here we find a very sunny calcareous glacis where erosion has designed an undulating landscape of valleys and hills. The floors of the valleys are very rich and produce exceptional grape harvests. However, on the hills a calcareous crust with a stony surface predominates. Here the soil is poorer but very suitable for obtaining quality wines. This is something which has not gone unnoticed by Felix Martínez, who plants his most prized cabernet sauvignon, tempranillo, merlot and chardonnay vines here. Even with the help of localised irrigation, Felix does not allow the yield to exceed 3kg per vine.”

Due to its high altitude and continental position, this area is prone to more extreme temperatures then the rest of the Community of Valencia. The average temperature being 14ºC in Requena and 12ºC in Utiel, January being the coldest month, averaging 5ºC and August the hottest, averaging 24ºC. A very significant factor is the marked difference between day and night temperatures which can reach a 20 degree difference. The frequency of extreme temperatures must also be taken into account, these can drop to a freezimg 5 - 10 degrees below zero in winter and rise to a scorching 35 - 40 degrees in summer.