Two Kings of Spain Master Class at Morgan Crossing
- Apr 10, 2013
As a new member of the team at Everything Wine Morgan Crossing, I was fortunate to attend the ‘Two Kings of Spain’ master class on March 28 with Jordan Carrier. The focus of the class was on the Rioja and Ribera del Duero regions, which are both known for their Tempranillo-based wines. To start the class, we learned about the history of winemaking in Spain and sipped on Jaume Serra Cava. Mmm bubbles! To accompany the wines we had a wonderful selection of Spanish Tapas nibbles, prepared by Alistair from Tap Restaurant.
The first flight of wines was a selection of three wines from Rioja, which is located in north central Spain, and divided into three regions. The most important for high quality wines are Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
Our first wine was Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 2002 ($56.99). It is from the Rioja Alta region, which produces classic Rioja wines made in the old world style. It is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and the remainder consists of local grape varieties. This wine was an excellent example of a traditional Rioja. It had a high acidity and is already showcasing aged characteristics. The shorter growing season in Rioja Alta helps retain the high acidity in the grape and this will contribute to the long aging potential that this wine possesses. The term Reserva implies that this wine has been aged for at least three years, with a minimum of one year in oak before it is released for sale.
Next up was El Pundito Rioja 2003 ($85.99), which is from the Rioja Alavesa region. This was the class favourite from the Rioja flight because of its rich and intense palate. The Alavesa region produces wines that are much fuller in body, have higher tannins, and appeal to the new world market. This 100% Tempranillo had warm wood and leather notes on the nose, a rich mouth feel, and lovely balance of acidity and tannins.
The last of the Rioja’s was Artadi Vinas de Gain Rioja 2006 ($50.99). This wine was a compromise between the two previous wines. It was nowhere near as intense as the El Pundito, nor did it have the classic high acidity like the Vina Bosconia. It was medium in body with dark cherry fruit flavours and paired perfectly with a nibble of fennel. It wasn’t the most exciting in the line-up, but a great representation of the wines from Rioja, especially for the price.
The Ribera del Duero region was next, which is located south west of Rioja, and despite its long winemaking history, was an overlooked region. The area is planted with predominantly Tempranillo, but also has a variety of French vinifera varieties.
We had Aalto Ribera del Duero 2006 ($82.99) to start off this flight and it was incredible! Made by the previous winemaker of Vega Sicilia of 30 years, this wine was complex and despite its drinkability now, it has excellent aging potential. On the palate it was rich with concentrated flavours of plum, cassis, oak and coffee. Delicious!
Next was Cameron Hughes Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva 2002. Don’t be fooled by this negociant’s modern label, this is an excellent wine! Gran Reserva classification means the wine has been cellared for at least 5 years, including a minimum of 18 months in oak and 36 months in bottle before release. This wine was the driest of the six, but the tannins softened and it had a long length. With flavours of licorice, oak, and spice, this wine needs time but you can see where it is heading. It paired beautifully with a lamb ragù stuffed pepper!
The final and most exciting wine was Vega-Sicilia “Unico” Ribera del Duero 2000 ($413.99). This iconic wine is something many wine geeks dream of tasting. It was the most unexpected and unique wine in the line-up. We all expected something big, rich, and powerful, but instead it was elegant and feminine. It was soft with flavours of cherry, date, and dried fruits. It had smooth tannins and a fresh acidity.
What a great way to taste through these two Spanish regions, I learned a lot and can’t wait to attend another master class!
The first flight of wines was a selection of three wines from Rioja, which is located in north central Spain, and divided into three regions. The most important for high quality wines are Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa.
Our first wine was Vina Bosconia Rioja Reserva 2002 ($56.99). It is from the Rioja Alta region, which produces classic Rioja wines made in the old world style. It is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, and the remainder consists of local grape varieties. This wine was an excellent example of a traditional Rioja. It had a high acidity and is already showcasing aged characteristics. The shorter growing season in Rioja Alta helps retain the high acidity in the grape and this will contribute to the long aging potential that this wine possesses. The term Reserva implies that this wine has been aged for at least three years, with a minimum of one year in oak before it is released for sale.
Next up was El Pundito Rioja 2003 ($85.99), which is from the Rioja Alavesa region. This was the class favourite from the Rioja flight because of its rich and intense palate. The Alavesa region produces wines that are much fuller in body, have higher tannins, and appeal to the new world market. This 100% Tempranillo had warm wood and leather notes on the nose, a rich mouth feel, and lovely balance of acidity and tannins.
The last of the Rioja’s was Artadi Vinas de Gain Rioja 2006 ($50.99). This wine was a compromise between the two previous wines. It was nowhere near as intense as the El Pundito, nor did it have the classic high acidity like the Vina Bosconia. It was medium in body with dark cherry fruit flavours and paired perfectly with a nibble of fennel. It wasn’t the most exciting in the line-up, but a great representation of the wines from Rioja, especially for the price.
The Ribera del Duero region was next, which is located south west of Rioja, and despite its long winemaking history, was an overlooked region. The area is planted with predominantly Tempranillo, but also has a variety of French vinifera varieties.
We had Aalto Ribera del Duero 2006 ($82.99) to start off this flight and it was incredible! Made by the previous winemaker of Vega Sicilia of 30 years, this wine was complex and despite its drinkability now, it has excellent aging potential. On the palate it was rich with concentrated flavours of plum, cassis, oak and coffee. Delicious!
Next was Cameron Hughes Ribera del Duero Gran Reserva 2002. Don’t be fooled by this negociant’s modern label, this is an excellent wine! Gran Reserva classification means the wine has been cellared for at least 5 years, including a minimum of 18 months in oak and 36 months in bottle before release. This wine was the driest of the six, but the tannins softened and it had a long length. With flavours of licorice, oak, and spice, this wine needs time but you can see where it is heading. It paired beautifully with a lamb ragù stuffed pepper!
The final and most exciting wine was Vega-Sicilia “Unico” Ribera del Duero 2000 ($413.99). This iconic wine is something many wine geeks dream of tasting. It was the most unexpected and unique wine in the line-up. We all expected something big, rich, and powerful, but instead it was elegant and feminine. It was soft with flavours of cherry, date, and dried fruits. It had smooth tannins and a fresh acidity.
What a great way to taste through these two Spanish regions, I learned a lot and can’t wait to attend another master class!