Spanish specialist independent wine merchant and importer Decanter Wines offers a small but very interesting ranige of Spanish Wines.
As well as a good range of young and older Riojas, there are good selections from the Spanish end of Douro Valley including some excellent Ribera del Duero DO.
The DO (denomination of origin) for Uiiel-Requina is a new one to many new to quality Spanish winesand is best known for a blending process called ‘doble pasta’, which helps to produce very intense wines. The initial pressings are left in the tank after the juice has been run off, then another batch of grapes is placed on top of the original skins and the whole process starts again. This juice is, not surprisingly, high in extract and contributes to the intensity of the final product.
Utiel-Requena lies to the west of Valencia and takes its name from the two towns – Utiel and Requena – which lie 15km apart within the DO. The largest and most inland of the Valencia region’s three DOs, the vineyards of Utiel-Requena rise to between 600-900m above sea level, on an undulating plain surrounded by mountains.
Utiel-Requena produces the most robust and powerful reds of Valencia’s three DOs, predominantly using the Bobal, grape. This variety lends itself perfectly to making fresh, fruity rosés, and growers from this region claim they produce Spain’s best rosados.
Also on offer are some serious old Spanish brandy, and brandy and balsamic brandy.
Good website at www.decanterwines.co.uk, packed with good information on Spanish wine and food, with good tasting notes from a couple who clearly know a lot about Spain and Spanish wines.
Decanter Wines Limited, Little Porch, Yarm Way, Leatherhead, Surrey KT22 8RQ
T:01372 376127 E: info@decanterwines.co.uk
