The Raise a Glass feature is published in several UK regional newspapers … I continue my discovery of wines from Navarra with this selection of four wines.
The world of wine is constantly bringing me surprises.
It is a wonderful, giving thing, and almost every day, I discover a new fact, a new region, a new style of wine, and I think “well, I never knew”.
A recent “I never knew” moment is courtesy of the wine region of Navarra.
It is in the north east of Spain, where grapes can be influenced by sea, mountains or river valleys.
The Bay of Biscay, the Pyrenees and Ebro valley create a patchwork of climates, weather and soils across more than 100 kilometres.
Winemakers are nurturing famous international varieties such as cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay, but also hugely champion their native ones; garnacha and tempranillo.
What does that mean for you and me?
It means crunchy fresh reds, whites with freshness and vigour; and deep-coloured pinks.
The key adjective for wines from across the region is “freshness” as Javier Santafé, manager of the wine region’s regulatory council, (El Consejo Regulador) told me.
Here’s some wines by way of introduction.
My first is a white. Oh my, what a beautiful bottle with statement, from Bodegas Manzanos the makers of 1864 Castillo de Olite (£14.49, online at kwoff and £13.55, shelvedwine.com).
The chardonnay grows at 400m above sea level, which delivers a wine of refreshing acidity. It is aged and fermented in oak, but its not in-your-face. It is silky, with white peach, citrus, fennel, nectarine and shortbread.
Viña Zorzal Garnacha
(£7.25, online at The Wine Society)
This is a smashing price for a crunch of garnacha. It crackles with the freshness of cherry and raspberry and wooshes with acidity. The grapes grow on vines which are over 35 years old.
Picamaderos Crianza 2018
(£11.99, or £9.99, if you’re a supporting “Angel” at nakedwines.com)
The wine is a tempranillo blend. It has notes of black fruits, with a hint of snapped twig and herbs. If you see crianza on a label, it indicates oak ageing, and this has had 12 months in oak. Vanilla and pepper spice dabble on the palate.
And so to a star turn with Unsi Terrazas Tinto
(£26, or £24 in a case of 12, at averys.com)
The wine is made from once-forgotten old vine garnacha, growing on steep terraced vineyards in the north of the region. The wine is aged for six months in French oak. It brings black fruit and strawberries to the senses, intertwined with mountain-clinging herbs and earth and slate.
Find out more on social media by following #navarrawine @VinosNavarra or online at www.navarrawine.com
First published in UK regional newspapers: See “About ” me