On the heels of taking my American Wine Specialist certification I got sent these three wines from Spain that reminded me that I not only am a wine 101er when tasting the hybrid grapes turned into wine that some of our states use, there are others, like these Spanish varieties below, that my palate is excited to be “educated” on also. Yes, I was familiar with Tempranillo, but the others – organic Bobal, organic Macabeo and Airén grapes – I was not. Until now.
From Facebook
Tarantas Tiene Cuerpo y Alma ~ Wine with Body and Soul from the Heart of Spain. Pure organic wines capturing the essence of Spain in every glass.
2012 Tempranillo
My Notes:
Blackest of cherries in color, opaque. Heavy fruit-laden nose of blackberry, ripe blueberry, a soft lush minty quality, milk chocolate, sweet and dusty. On the mouth red fruit, sharp tannins, green peppercorn, and a bit of salted cracker. Can’t wait for my pizza to arrive to enjoy this one with food. 87 Eve pts.
Their Notes:
Made with the finest 100% organic Tempranillo grapes, Tarantas Crianza is a quality organic wine that tastes great! Aged in French and American Oak Barrels for a minimum of 6 months.
Known as the “People’s Grape” in Spain, Tempranillo is a versatile wine that pairs well with a variety of Mediterranean foods. Tarantas is perfect for sharing with friends over a meal, be it a casual picnic, party, tapas and conversation or a farm-to-table dinner. It’s a wine that calls for the next bite.
The wine is a dark red, with strong and complex aromas, a mixture of fruity and high roast aromas. Balanced and well structured in harmony with flavors of cranberries and blackberries that combine well with toasted flavors. Finishes with a crisp honeyed dried citrus and dusty tannin fade.
NV Sparkling Rosé
My Notes:
Very festive looking in the glass as the color is of cranberry sauce and the bubbles are tiny yet boisterous as they filter to the top and I get to hear them pop. On the nose, and yes this was in a fluted glass, I got whiffs of strawberry jam on toast, salt air, raspberry, red cherry and wet pebbles. Tart and biting on the palate, more red fruit, with a mushroom earthy quality and a medium to short finish. Craved chocolate covered strawberries with this. 88 Eve pts.
Their Notes:
Made from 100% organic Bobal, one of Spain’s most unique and popular grapes. In addition to the delightful flavor and bubbly essence of the wine, some of the highest tested levels of the natural antioxidant Resveratrol can be found in monovarietal wines from southeast Spain’s Bobal grape.
“The Bobal grape appears to have more faces than we imagined; here it is as a sparkling wine with dried strawberry notes in the nose and red currants in the mouth. The finish is soft, not sweet, and the gentle character of the wine belies its ability to handle stronger flavors, even grilled fish and chicken.” – Wines from Spain.com
NV Sparkling White
My Notes:
Interesting yellow color, a sparkling yellow 24 karat gold. Aromas of yellow cling peaches, green apple, pineapple were also found in the taste, along with crisp pear, good acidity and a honeyed sweetness. Reminiscent of a hard cider. I think this one would work with a nice wedge of white cheddar and sliced apples. 87 Eve pts.
Their Notes:
Made with a blend of 100% organic Macabeo and Airén grapes, for a wonderfully dry effervescent wine.
“Two of the great merits of sparkling wine are its ability to cleanse the palate and to match up against a wide variety of foods. Even in this version’s softer and gentler, there is a citric tartness that proves this is a great foil for seafood and even fried foods.” – Wines from Spain.com
About Tarantas Wines
The Tarantas brand name and label was inspired by the free-flowing, open art form of Flamenco song and dance of the same name, celebrated in Southeast Spain. “Pure wines capturing the essence of Spain in every glass,” Tarantas Wines are made with 100% certified organic grapes. The wines are produced by Bodegas Iranzo, based in the old-world village of Requena, only a stone’s throw from the historic and metropolitan city of Valencia. The winery produces some of Spain’s Oldest Estate Bottled Wines, with the first recorded written evidence of the vineyard Cañada Honda Estate owned by the Iranzo Perez–Duque family dating back to 1335 as granted by King Pedro I of Castilla. For more information visit www.tarantaswines.com.
Eve Bushman has been reading, writing, taking coursework and tasting wine for over 20 years. She has obtained a Level Two Intermediate Certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, has been the subject of a 60-minute Wine Immersion video, authored “Wine Etiquette for Everyone” and recently served as a judge for the Long Beach Grand Cru. You can email Eve@EveWine101.com to ask a question about wine or spirits that may be answered in a future column. You can also seek her marketing advice via Eve@EveBushmanConsulting.com
