We aim to have all wines be vintage specific. In the case the listed vintage is out of stock and you note you would like that particular vintage, we will inform you via email for approval to go ahead.
About This Wine
‘El Veneno’ is a mountain parcela in Alto Vinalopó. The name means a bad man, literally ‘venemous’ … the vineyard was planted by a guy famous for his foul temper. The vineyard is a beautiful parcel of goblet-trained Monastrell, in sandy limestone. Aged 12 months in 500l French barrels, after a gentle maceration of whole fruit with 50% stems and fermentation in 5th use oak (1,000 litre vats).
A super-fresh and nimble wine of Mediterranean garriga, sweet spices and strands of fine, briary tannins running through delicate red fruit. Smells and tastes of wild green fennel, rosemary, fresh tobacco, mulberry leaves, red date and brined olive. There’s the smell of hands damp with potting clay, and a hint of leather. An opening riff of beautiful little skinsy wild red cherries gains spices to finish dry and nutty as the acid takes the show to a gently fading, long and delicate close.
Type | Red Wine |
---|---|
Varietal(s) | Monastrell |
Country | Spain |
Region | Alicante |
Brand | Pepe Mendoza |
Vintage | 2018 |
Wines of Spain
With 2.9 million acres of land planted in wine grapes, Spain is the most widely planted wine producing nation and second largest producer in the world. Many styles of wine are produced in the country most of which are based on native grape varietals.
The two most famous regions are Rioja and Ribera del Duero for their Tempranillo production. Rioja Tempranillo (the classic) will be lighter and fresher with red fruit flavours as compared to those from Ribera del Duero that are often deep purple, higher in alcohol with more tannins and intense black fruit character. Rioja is also known for producing Garnacha (Grenache), as well as rich, nutty whites from the indigenous Viura varietal.
In the Catalonia region, Spain is recognized for making a sparkling wine in the traditional method but using native grape varieties. This is called Cava. Priorat, a subregion within Catalonia specializes in making still red blends of Garnacha, Carignan and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon in a bold and full-bodied style. Together with Rioja, wines from Priorat have achieved DOCa/DOQ status signifying their quality.
Sherry is Spain’s famous fortified wine which can either be completely dry, lusciously sweet or somewhere in between. This is made in the southern region of Jerez.
Other notable Spanish wine styles include: Monastrell (AKA. Mataro/Mourvèdre), produced in the Jumilla region and refreshing white Albariño and Verdejo from north western Galacia.