JH02JLH
Active member
A little note on Spanish grape varieties for you:
The reds:
Tempranillo - principal grape variety of Rioja and known as Cencibel in southern Spain (not really that sensible Portofan!!)
Mazuelo - another grape of Rioja and also know as Carinena. In France it goes by the name of Carignan.
Garnacha Tinta - possibly Spain's most widely planted grape variety and used for blending in Rioja.
Graciano - small and tough-skinned it adds the "finesse" and ageing ability that a Gran Reserva needs. It is used sparingly.
Manto Negro - native to the Balearics and Binissalem in particular where it produces fresh and light wines that age well.
The whites:
Airen - grown in the blistering heat of La Mancha. Wines made from this grape have improved with modern wine-making methods.
Albarino - the most important grape of Rias Baixas which produce peachy, fresh wines that are drunk young.
Macabeo - also known as Viura this is the main grape of white Rioja and also cava where it is blended with Xarel-lo.
Moscatel - a rich sweet grape variety famous for Moscatel de Valencia.
Palomino - the grape of sherry, it flourishes on the chalky soil around Jerez.
Pedro Ximenez- produces rich sweet dessert wines, the oldest of which are as black and thick as oil. Drizzle over vanilla ice-cream for a real treat.
Verdejo - the grape variety of Rueda which produces arguably the finest whites Spain has to offer. Modern wine-making techniques have transformed this wine into one with mouthwatering fruit, crispness and a dry finish.
Enjoy!
Jane
The reds:
Tempranillo - principal grape variety of Rioja and known as Cencibel in southern Spain (not really that sensible Portofan!!)
Mazuelo - another grape of Rioja and also know as Carinena. In France it goes by the name of Carignan.
Garnacha Tinta - possibly Spain's most widely planted grape variety and used for blending in Rioja.
Graciano - small and tough-skinned it adds the "finesse" and ageing ability that a Gran Reserva needs. It is used sparingly.
Manto Negro - native to the Balearics and Binissalem in particular where it produces fresh and light wines that age well.
The whites:
Airen - grown in the blistering heat of La Mancha. Wines made from this grape have improved with modern wine-making methods.
Albarino - the most important grape of Rias Baixas which produce peachy, fresh wines that are drunk young.
Macabeo - also known as Viura this is the main grape of white Rioja and also cava where it is blended with Xarel-lo.
Moscatel - a rich sweet grape variety famous for Moscatel de Valencia.
Palomino - the grape of sherry, it flourishes on the chalky soil around Jerez.
Pedro Ximenez- produces rich sweet dessert wines, the oldest of which are as black and thick as oil. Drizzle over vanilla ice-cream for a real treat.
Verdejo - the grape variety of Rueda which produces arguably the finest whites Spain has to offer. Modern wine-making techniques have transformed this wine into one with mouthwatering fruit, crispness and a dry finish.
Enjoy!
Jane