Elegance and authenticity
When I started to taste and drink wine with my wine club in the 90-ties I remember that when it came to Spanish wine we thought of Rioja. Rioja wine had the image of being bold and heavily oaky. And upon trying Rioja wines the oaky, vanilla character often showed in practice. Though this classic type of Rioja still exists today, thirty years later there is much more to choose from. The wider choice is not just true for Rioja. For me it’s still mind-blowing that in another famous region, Ribera del Duero, at the start of the 80-ties there were only less than 10 producers whereas today there are more than 250! What a substantial change in a still relatively short time! Investments and innovation have changed the landscape drastically. Dynamics continue today and two important factors I will describe below.
Searching for authenticity
Spain is a large wine country with a long wine history. Wines are made from a significant number often indigenous grapes. Driven by new and innovative wine makers there is a trend of reviving old vineyards, sometimes with almost forgotten grapes. On some of the slopes out there wine was made in the past but for some reason vineyards were abandoned or the vines were replaced by another crop. Reviving original vineyards and grapes is an interesting and timely development as it matches with the ask of wine consumers to try wines that have authenticity, wines with a story.
Changing consumer preferences
The mentioned Rioja of the 90-ties in the classic oaky and bold style still exists. However changing consumer preferences have also led to demand and production of lighter, more elegant styles. Wines with less tannins extraction, less oak and less alcohol. The latter is not always easy because of the increasing temperatures and so producers may need to adjust the grape mix in their blends or look for vineyards at higher, cooler altitudes. Whatever the style, the warm and dry circumstances in large parts of Spain are well suited for organic wines, which are appreciated and looked for by many consumers nowadays, too.
Whether it’s authentic wines or variation in styles, Spain offers it. Are you in to discover more?
Tasting & discovering
Are you interested in a wine tasting where you will discover and enjoy quality wines, but also learn more about the wine and the wine region where it’s made? Contact me for a private tasting of follow my social channels for open tastings that I regularly host. I am looking forward to meet you there. Salud!
