Hidden gems from Spain
Welcome — or ¡Bienvenido! — to the August edition of the l’Art du Vin wine club!
We hope that you enjoyed our Paris-influenced selection last month and that you were able to recreate the quintessential brasserie atmosphere within the comfort of your own home!
This time last year, our August selection coincided with cycling’s Vuelta a España. Much like the race, we delved in to the lesser-known regions of the country to uncover some hidden gems.
The selection was so well received that we thought another edition was in order, this time taking inspiration from the 2024 route.
The majority of this year’s race takes place in the north of the country. Therefore we have put together a selection that travels from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, incorporating bright, zesty whites and silky, food-friendly reds.
One of my favourite things about Spanish wines is their versatility. They are so flexible when it comes to food matching. They don’t rely on complex dishes to shine at their best – simple plates will do the trick here! And, particularly in the case of these 4 wines, they can all be enjoyed on their own without any need for food in accompaniment.
I hope that you enjoy this month’s selection. As always, I welcome any feedback you have and I thank you for your continued support.
Salud!
Philippe
Txakolina Getariako, Bodegas Ameztoi, Basque Country 2023
Producer
The organic Bodegas Ameztoi is situated in the fishing village of Getaria, in the heart of the Basque country of northern Spain.
The Ameztoi family have run the estate for seven generations utilising the indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri and Hondurrabi Beltza grapes to produce light, crisp wines bottled with residual carbon dioxide to give the wines their signature natural spritz.
Katalín Iturzaeta planted the first vines of Hondarrabi grapes in 1880 on the hill of Aitako. Unlike other vineyards surrounding the region, the Aitako vineyard survived the most difficult periods of recent Spanish history, the Civil War and World War II.
Today, Joaquín Aranzabal, the seventh generation of the family, produces a maximum of 8,000 bottles per vintage of this pure and concentrated Txakolin from the only century-old vineyards in Getariako. The vineyard is situated on steep terraces overlooking the sea and, as a result, retains a certain salty minerality.
Tasting Notes
Profound herbal and lemon aromas followed by nutty notes and yeasty complexity. The palate is powerful and punchy, with a light body yet great concentration, finishing with a slight saltiness and lots of vivid herbal flavours. Expect a slight spritz!
Food Pairing
Brilliant with all forms of fresh seafood – its wonderful saltiness acting as the perfect foil to all things fishy!
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Sauvignon Blanc Rioja Blanco, Bodegas Altanza, Rioja 2022
Producer
Bodegas Altanza sprung to life in 1998 when a group of like-minded local businessmen decided the Rioja wine market needed a shot in the arm. The estate has gone from strength to strength, concentrating on a search for the perfect balance between traditional values and modern techniques, a philosophy echoed in the architecture of their winery – a stunning example of contemporary design using local raw materials.
Head winemaker Carlos Ferreiro now produces a range of wines that cater for all tastes and budgets. Recently, he has converted to exclusive use of French oak barrels in the ageing process, a move which has most certainly enhanced the quality of his wines.
Tasting Notes
Sauvignon Blanc was introduced as an approved Rioja variety in response to the global recession in 2008 in an attempt to strengthen the commercial viability of the region. Bodegas Altanza are among the few estates who since that ruling, have gone on to produce a 100% Sauvignon Blanc.
The resulting wine offers up a nose dominated by intense notes of pineapple and grapefruit, backed by hints of green apple, jasmine, mineral aromas. The palate is fresh and crisp, with a silky mouthfeel and lively acidity.
Food Pairing
Perfect with salty cured-cheeses, seafood, simple fish dishes and paella. Equally enjoyable as a summer sipper!
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‘Petit Pittacum’ Mencía, Bodegas Pittacum, Bierzo 2022
Producer
The region of Bierzo, inland of Galicia in the northwest of Spain, benefits from a unique microclimate which aids the winemaking process. Head winemaker Alfredo Marques and his team are blessed with the valuable combination of mild temperatures and vineyards at a low altitude which prevent frosts – allowing Alfredo to complete his harvest before many of his contemporaries.
Based in the historic town of Arganza, the Pittacum winery presides over 90-year-old vines that produce wonderfully rustic wines dominated by the Mencía grape variety. Organic fertilisers are used and eco-friendly methods are employed throughout the estate to promote the health of these ageing vines – a strategy that is clearly working as their produce improves with every harvest.
Tasting Notes
This Mencía is medium bodied, dominated by cranberry characters with hints of herbs and spice. The finish is soft, with light dusty tannins. A wonderful example of the value for money to be found in Spanish reds by going slightly off the beaten track.
Food Pairing
Mencía pairs best with herbal driven dishes or roasted meat & veggie dishes such as chorizo, beef stew or fajitas. At this particular time of year in Scotland, it is also one of the wines that many sommeliers reach for to pair with grouse.
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‘GX’ Garnatxa, Alta Alella, Alella 2022
Producer
Alta Alella is the closest winery to Barcelona, located 2 kilometres from the Mediterranean between the towns of Alella and Tiana.
It is a family-run project that began in 1991 with Josep Maria Pujol-Busquets and his wife Cristina Guillen. Now the estate is headed up by their daughter, Mireia.
Alella is one of the smallest appellations in Spain yet it possesses a fascinating terroirs that the Alta Alella team have harnessed in their journey to being recognised as the premier estate in the region.
All the vines are planted on slopes and terraces overlooking the Mediterranean, between 100 and 250m above sea level.
One of the key elements is the Sauló soil found throughout the vineyard. Particular to this region, Sauló is an acidic and sandy soil with a low limestone content, low organic matter and good natural water drainage – ideal for the production of clean wines with a mineral edge.
Tasting Notes
A wonderfully fresh and well-balanced Garnacha. Expect bold berry flavours and peppery notes, countered by soft tannins and ripe acidity.
Food Pairing
Garnacha pairs wonderfully with smoky or charred dishes – particularly grilled meats, BBQ or vegetables cooked on the grill. This particular example possesses such great acidity that it also makes a great wine for enjoying on its own.
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