Real Compania De Vinos Verdejo 2011

Grape:        Verdejo
Price:           £4.99 - £6.50
Store:          Majestic Wines
Country:      Spain
ABV:             13%

Paying attention to the wine I drink, I have started to build up a mental map of regions and countries that churn out great tasting wine and the grape varieties they use.  A surprising discovery is the extensive range of red and white grapes native to Spain that previously, I had no idea existed.  My early ignorance saw Spain as 3 or 4 grape varieties, such as Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura (Macabeo) and to be fair, wine from these grapes do cover a lot of shelf space in supermarkets.  After very little effort, however, I have found and tasted great varieties such as Godello, Monastrell, Mencia and Parellada all of which are easy to come by.  I know I have only scratched the surface too but before you berate me too harshly, I have a question for you.  What is Spain’s most widely planted grape?  I’ll give you a clue, it’s white. 

While you mull that over, have a look at this week's wine, which is yet another amazing Spanish varietal, Verdejo.  Verdejo is almost entirely exclusive to Spain where the Rueda region is reported to create the most notable wines.  Due to the heat of the Spanish sun, grapes separated from the vine are susceptible to oxidisation or browning, much like an apple which has been bitten into and left to one side, and so the harvesting will often take place during the night where the temperatures are lower, preserving all those lovely flavours.

On the nose is immediate fruit with likenesses of gooseberry and pear, although tropical fruits are evident.  Also detectable is a grassy, herb element which gives the smell an inviting crispness.  Upon taste, the first attack goes to fruit with mango being prevalent but a citrus presence quickly takes over and leads into the aftertaste with what the makers describe as, "...its peculiar pleasant slightly bitter finish."  I would agree wholeheartedly.  The structure feels medium bodied and dry but the balance of fruit and herbal influences delivers a soft texture which makes this an easy drink to work through without food.  The slightly bitter finish is not at all unpleasant and provides a refreshing hit.  Anyone who drinks tonic water will understand what I am trying to get at.

Spain’s most widely planted variety is called Airen however, you may find it difficult to get hold of a bottle as it is mainly used to support production of other alcoholic beverages before being one itself.  Don't worry, there are plenty more to choose from and if like me, you owe Spain an apology, you can make it up to them by trying this bottle first. 

Majestic have numerous stores throughout the UK and have extended their reach into France.  

Offering a home delivery service also, Majestic can be found at www.majestic.co.uk

Poggio Argentiera, Morello Di Scansano 2011, Italy

Recording my thoughts and thinking hard about what I drink has made me aware that I tend to gravitate towards South American and Spanish wines.  I now know I love the full bodied feel of a spicy or well balanced red and I can identify the grapes I am fond of.  In particular Tempranillo, Mencia, Carmenere, Malbec and Tannat, although this list is certainly not exhaustive

For this week's choice, I purposefully turn my back on the 'comfort zone' and point myself in the direction of somewhere new.  Italy.  

Made from 85% Sangiovese and 15% Ciliegiolo, this Morellino Di Scansano is a perfect example of how a great Italian wine should taste but don't just take my word for it.  The bottle quite rightly states the Italian designation of Denominazione Di Origine Controllata E Garantita (DOCG), the highest appellation that can be achieved by an Italian wine, indicating top level of quality.  Consider that along with the price tag of £8 or £9 and it makes it the bottle well worth trying (source: Majestic Wines).

Sangiovese is a very important grape to the Italians and you are most likely to have seen it on numerous other bottles before, including Chianti, where it is the main component.  Sangiovese is very versatile and is also heavily featured in the wider spectrum of Italian wines.  The other grape variety, Ciliegiolo (from the Italian word for cherry) is a common bed fellow with Sangiovese and I suspect is used to temper the slightly sour twist that can come from the latter grape.

On the nose I get light and clean with cherries being the obvious fruit.  There was another smell on the fringes that I couldn't quite identify.  Other reviews suggest cold tea but I was more inclined towards cloves.  The taste is light to medium body, youthful and acidic.  Fresh and ripe cherries dominate the palate as well as the nose although the acidity and tannin are ever present and retain control of the aftertaste which, while good ends abruptly.

Considering my heavier bodied tendency for red, this felt light and refreshing, making it a fantastic choice to have in warm weather.  It is no wonder this particular wine has achieved greatness and I can certainly imagine sipping this while dipping my feet in lago Maggiore or lying in the grass at Giardino Borghese or admiring the teatro at the Piazza Politeama.  

I'm sure the producer, Signore Paglia will be delighted to know that it also goes down a treat on a balmy evening in South Manchester, with a six pack of Mr Kipling Victoria Sponges.

Palacios Petalos Del Bierzo Mencia 2009

There are times in life when fortune smiles directly upon you and places treasure in your path, reminding you to keep your eyes open for the wonderful and spectacular.  When fortune takes the form of wine, it can turn an average wine drinker into a passionate wine lover in just one glass.  This happened to me a while ago upon discovering Gewurztraminer.  Had that particular chance encounter never have happened though, Petalos would have ignited that flame.

Petalos is made from the Mencia grape and comes from the Bierzo region of north-west Spain.  This one found its way to me via Majestic Wines for around £15.  The price may cause some momentary indecisiveness but hey, fortune also favours the brave.

Give this wine the opportunity to have a good stretch and get used to its surroundings. It's come a long way in cramped and probably dark conditions so decanting for at least half an hour will enable the wine to open and give up so much more.

On the nose, I got nothing too obvious, red fruits were present but confidently understated.  The absence of any wood notes was pleasantly surprising but a good long sniff produced a very faint scent of wood smoke.  The taste is light but unmistakably strong, a beautiful velvety smoothness which clearly sets this wine apart and fully justifies the price.  Medium tannins can be easily felt in the cheeks and tongue and the combined red fruits make for a balanced taste although difficult to isolate and identify individually.  Spice develops in the closing stages, concluding what can only be described as a very pleasing mouthful.  

I found a previous review in a book called, Life's Too Short to Drink Bad Wine by Simon Hoggart and it states, "...light and soft, but with a deceptive richness and depth..." I could not agree more.  At 14.5% (probably at least 15% in reality), this is the sort of wine that will go to your legs without letting you know about it.

Admittedly, Mencia is a new discovery for me but one I shall be more keenly aware of in future, especially as I understand 'oaked' examples are also made in this smooth style.  Mencia would be a great grape to try if you want to expand beyond Shiraz, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.  Mencia appears to be exclusively Spanish with the best producing regions being Rias Biaxas, Ribeiro in Galicia and Beirzo in Leon.  Look for these names on a bottle as an indicator of quality and let fortune's smile bring you some well deserved treasures.