August: A blisteringly hot month in Spain, which explains why most sensible people take the month off and hurl themselves into the sea. However, for immobile vines it is a particularly important month due to the phenomenon of veraison. This is the onset of berry ripening and also when the pigmentation starts to form in red grapes, leading to the distinction in colour between the different types of grapes. Red grapes will start to turn a light berry-red colour, whilst white grapes will start to turn yellow and golden. This is a key part of the life cycle of the vine and the vignerons will be hard at work to ensure it goes smoothly. Leaves will be cut away to expose grape clusters to extra sunshine and sometimes bunches of grapes will be removed in a process known as ‘green harvesting’ in order to concentrate sugars in the remaining bunches. Eyes will be cast towards weather forecasts between now and harvest, as this 2-3 month period is vitally important to get quality grapes and therefore, the potential to make quality wine.
Hello Wine Lovers! Welcome to the 32nd edition of The Wine Cuentista Newsletter! It’s our final month of the 2018 summer break and that means no Maestrazgo Wine Club tasting, but do remember that from September onwards, we’ll be back organising tastings in Barcelona once again. For now, here’s a few lovely articles that I’ve picked out over the last few weeks and a wine well worth picking up if you have the chance.
Articles: I probably spend too much of my time reading online articles about wine. However, as a result I can find and select a choice few to share – here are my three favourites from last month!
1. ‘Our Seminal Wine Competition’ by Jancis Robinson MW. This isn’t an article as much as an opportunity to win some lovely wine glasses and a stunning decanter, all designed and created in conjunction with Jancis Robinson MW. The competition is simple – if you had a defining moment where you fell in love with wine, write about it and send it in! I’ll be entering myself and the more the merrier. https://www.jancisrobinson.com/articles/our-seminal-wine-competition
2. ‘Exploring the alluring charms of Valdeorras’ by Amaya Cervera. I find it hard to choose between Ribeira Sacra and Valdeorras in Galicia, with both being such incredibly zones for heroic viticulture, terroir driven wines and some of the best bargains in Spain. Valdeorras is still very much in the shadow of Ribeira Sacra in the international market, however, so this article by Amaya couldn’t come at a better time. There’s a Galician wine tasting coming to a place near you soon, so read up! https://www.spanishwinelover.com/learn-324-exploring-the-alluring-charms-of-valdeorras?platform=hootsuite
Wine of the month: I’m constantly on the look-out for wines of real quality and value; here is my favourite wine of the month:
Marc Ollivier Domaine de la Pepiere Muscadet de Sevre et Main Sur Lie 2016: Definitely a value wine option this time around; a delicious Muscadet from the Loire Valley in France. I’m a big fan of simple, vibrant and textured white wines, partly as they go so wonderfully well with a variety of foods and good quality Muscadet ticks every box in this regard. This effort from one of the regions most regarded wine-makers is a bargain at barely 11 euros at Monvinic Store, and makes for ideal summer drinking. Light in colour and subtly aromatic, this isn’t a wine to make itself immediately known. Light peach, golden apple and honey creep out of the glass, yet there’s something salty and briny underpinning it all, with just a touch of smokiness from the lees ageing. Hugely fresh and zippy on the palate with the same, saline sensation as the nose and a surprisingly persistent flavour intensity. More depth than you might expect for a wine with such light alcohol and yet refreshing all the same. A lovely example of Muscadet
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That’s it for this months newsletter. I hope you enjoyed it and please, if you have any suggestions or things you would like to see get in touch! Either respond to me here or email to fintankerr@winecuentista.com I can’t wait to see you all soon for more wine, food and good company.
Fintan Kerr