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| one side of spacious IAC HQ lobby |
SPAIN'SGREATMATCH
winefooddesign
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| One side of the spacious, light filled IAC HQ Building's lobby... |
IAC HQ Building, West 18th Street, NYC
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| Codorníu Raventos Bodegas Y Vinedos-Scala Dei Prior 2013, Cellars de Scala Dei, DOCa Priorat -Barca based company owns Codorníu Raventos founded in 1551-17th generation family owns 11 wineries all over the world. Impressive. |
WHAT: A celebration of over 300+ of Spain's finest pours- paired with culinary treats (cheeses, olives) from this European nation that boasts 38 Destinations of Origin (DO) and Country Wines.
Native Spanish varietals from several DOs were featured---including VERY affordable wines from featured regions Garnacha,Somontano, Carinena, Bierzo, La Mancha, Rias Baixas, Utiel Requena/Bobal Delight and Rioja.
Attending the media/trade afternoon session-we noted from the get go that one needed the full 4 hours allotted to sample selections from each distributors' table...grouped by DO...accordingly, some highlights featured below -are
not all encompassing...as we only had about 2 hours.
---some observations:
SHERRY: The new trendy cocktail flavor
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a dedicated table of Jerez-Xérès sherries to sip---always had a crowd
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| Mixologist on left= a busy guy...with pitchers of sherry based cocktails...Jambon---standard bar/store decorative feature across Spain |
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| many people took a siesta outside in this delghtful side courtyard... |
Sherry, is a--- and maybe, THE millenial fluid
du jour ingredient...a staple of our elderly relatives' weekend cocktail hour--this flavorful aperitif -just like that car ad about "getting the grandma out of a Buick" mixed into hipster cocktails- gets served in Bond worthy martini glasses...
Cava-the delectable sparkling wine that has the distinct bread-y yeasty, nutty-toasty notes of traditional Champagne (some made from the classic Pinot Noir+Chardonnay champagne grapes-most from Macabeu, Parellada and Xarello Spainish grapes) ...worthy competitors to the more sweeter/lighter Italian Prosecco...we forgot how affordable and delish this balanced crowd pleasing-party worthy- bubbly beverage is...as in each selection tasted was priced $18.99 or less...and most in that $(.99-12.99 price range-wow. Non-vintage and Vintage...all well done.
SOME WINE HIGHLIGHTS:
Within the DO regions...
Rioja...reds -lovely deep red ruby to almost cranberry colors ranging from bold chewy to lighter-easy pairing with a variety of foods---drink now and age potential candidates (Gran Reserva and Reserva-aged according in American and or French oak-and in the bottles)...balanced acids and tannins-dark fruits, creamy oaks, and spice flavors
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| Placards at each table identify wines... Araex/Spanish Fine Wines |
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| Rioja-Crisp Whites from Araex/Spanish Fine WInes-balanced citrus acids...easy to pair with foods |
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| We started with these-chewy balanced bold reds-Finca Sobreno,Selection Especial 201o DO Toro , Finca Sobreno Crianza 2011 DO Toro |
Luscious reds from Rioja north central Spain-are worldwide pleasers-blended predominantly from indigenous Tempranillo...
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| Altosa-left-La Posada Verdejo 2013, Bodegas Verum, DO La Mancha, Right-La Posoada Tempranillo 2011, Bodegas Verum, DO La Mancha |
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| Family owned made form large vieyards in La Mancha-Verum Sauvignon Blanc blend 2012, Verum 2010 VT Castillla-Bodegas Verum |
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| Bodegas Franco Espanolas -on right Rioja Reserva 2009 balanced lighter red cherry+ spice |
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| middle Rioja Bourdón Crianza 2011 good red table wine |
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| Campo Viejo -Campo Viejo Gran Reserva 2008, DoCa Rioja-2nd from left |
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| CIV (USA) left-Pata negra Reserva Rioja 2009, J. Garcia Carrion DOCa Rioja-right we tasted this Don Simon Sangria, J, Garcia Carrion-served chill fun fruity and very inexpensive...beach drink |
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| About $24-Pata Negra Ribera Reserva 2009, J. Garcia Carrion DO Del Duero Reserva |
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| our instagram pic...upper left-fun ANNA de Codorniu Brut, Cordorniu, DO Cava (70% chardonnay, 30% parellada) and Anna de Codorniu Brut Rosé, Codorniu, DO Cava (70% Pinot noir, 30% chardonnay)-$15 each---lighter cavas we tasted party leasing bubblys pair with kind of foods Americans eat-from spciy tuna tacos to Asian fare-dumplings and seared fish. |
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| Traces its history back 450 years-the Brut Cava was introduced in 1985-the Rosé Cava-2004 |
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| Frontier Wine Imports- right: Besllum 2011, Bodégas Malondro, DO Montsant, left: Hilanda Término de Arriba Monastrel 2011, Bodegas Alceno, DO Carinena |
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| Can Petit Brut Cava 2013 DO Penedes $15 reminded us of champagne---! |
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| CVNE Imperial Gran Reserva 2009, DOCa Rioja -perfectly balanced complex red-deep dark fruit, spice and elegant finish (on right) |
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| CVNE/LUSTAU sherries from Lustau-right Lustau Papirusa, Do Jerez-Xerex Sherry... |
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| Las Rocas/Martin Códax Las Rocas Garnacha Vinas Viejas 2012 DO Calatayud |
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| Martin Códax Albarino 2013, DO Rias Baixas, Martin Códax Ergo 2012, DOCa Rioja |
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| Loved this-Herederon de Marques de Riscal-produced from Tempranillo grpae from vines at least 15 years old-from Rioja...intense ruby color notes of vanilla, toasted oak and plum fruit, hints of spices and licorice. |
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| celebrations abound for Faustino I Gran Reserva-85% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo from Rioja Alaves-aged for 28 months in oak (80% American, 20% French) nd 36 months in bottles...complex red with tobacco, cedar and leather tastes -red fruit, ajm and spices...flavors of red cherry, licorice, minerals and smooth tannins...buy by the case-was one of the best we tasted...!!! |
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| pictured above-the rightfully proud vintners...of the much heralded Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001-elegant tannins, classic oak-spice balance---lovely! Imported by Palm Bay International...we got to try this aged worthy red---much acclaim from Decanter...as seen above...Faustino is now largest exporter of Gran Reserva and Reserva wines from Spain |
MORE INFO on pictured wines including where to buy:
www.winesfromspainusa.com
PART TWO
