05-08-2005, 06:09
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Spanish Quality wines
Hi All
Just a few tips on what to look for when thinking about Spanish Wine Growing Regions
Spanish wine producing areas are divided into - Denominacion de Origen or D.O.s, For those more familiar with French wines the term Denominacion de Origen is in many regard similar the term Appellation Controlee. Becoming a D.O. is no easy matter.
In order for an area to be given D.O. status it must first establish that it has something different to offer from existing neighbouring D.O.s. First a region must establish that it has a differing microclimate, grape variety or production method which produces wines of distinct character.
Amongst other things the area must define its boundaries.
This will inevitably lead to spirited debate, as every grape grower in the surrounding area will claim that his land has the correct soil composition, climate & grape variety already growing on it. Claims will also be made by farmers not already in the wine industry applying for D.O. Status to be applied to their properties to increase the value of their otherwise utilised fields (with the possibility of an EU grant thrown in for converting to grape production!).
It must then define the types of wine for which it is applying D.O. Status for. This will include the variety of grape authorised, the percentages of each variety allowed in the case of blends (this prevents producers introducing higher yielding, but usually inferior varieties), and the types of wines which will be allowed, be it red or white still or sparkling.
Finally and probably most importantly, the area applying for D.O. Status most be able to prove that the wine produced by the local vineyards have achieved and maintained for several years a consistent quality level.
Of course, producers in existing DOS will also have their say about the creation of additional competition and will do their utmost to stop the expansion of existing DOS or the creation of new ones. Fortunately, there is an independent referee to sort this out.
The Instituto Nacional de Denominaciones (INDO) is the regulatory body which defines oversees and ensures that the quality standards are maintained by the wine producers in both new and existing D.O.s. The small label on the back of each bottle with Denominacian de Origen and serial number, which is distinctive to the vineyard where it was bottled, is your guarantee that the wine inside has met all the applicable requirements, minimum aging times and quality standards of that D.O.
All of that said, non-D.O. wines from Spain don't mean inferior quality. There is a new breed of wine maker not applying for D.O. Status or producing some of Spain's finest wines from grapes grown on non-D.O. land. Producing non-D.O. Wines allows the wine maker to experiment with different blends and production methods, bringing a modern twist to traditional wines.
Be they D.O. or non-D.O., our love of spanish wines will continue.
Senor Ken
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