Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/882780
Garnacha from Cariñena, Spain Bodegas San Valero 2014 Particular Old Vine Garnacha is the wine we tasted in our Digging In seminar, but it's important to clarify there are three very important wineries from the Cariñena region in northwest Spain consistently working together to let the world know they're proud of the wines produced in their region: Bodegas San Valero, Bodegas Paniza and Grandes Vinos y Viñedos. Cariñena is a town of old-school traditions and values; almost everyone has vines growing in their backyard. Because they can - not possibly grow enough to make their own wine (nor wish to), they grow the best grapes they can for the region and sell them to co-operatives. Bodegas San Valero, Grandes Vinos y Viñedos and Bodegas Paniza are three top-quality co-ops that aim to deliver the best wine they can to the larger market. Bodegas San Valero sources from more than 700 growers, Bodegas Paniza relies on 400 growers and Grandes Vinos y Viñedos works with growers in each of the 14 sub-regions of Cariñena. Again—and we may be starting to see a theme here—they state the large diurnal shift for their success with Garnacha. The vineyards lie in the Ebro valley of the Aragón region at elevations between 1,300–2,600 feet. At higher elevation, but with warm sunshine during the day, the grapes are able to achieve physiological ripeness while still maintaining mouth-watering acidity. The rocky soils also retain heat, allowing the vines to continue development during the cool nights; the region also sees a strong, dry wind that deters against vine disease. Cariñena also possesses more old vines of Garnacha than any other region in Spain, and the roots of these old vines dig deeper into the soils, deriving minerality and structure. The average age of a vine in the region is 30–40 years old, but many are even older with a high percentage of 100-year-old vines. With old vines, high elevation and deep roots, the concentration of the wines from the region is remarkable. "What is really remarkable about these wines, though, is their value," states Bath. The competitive pricing of Garnacha from Cariñena deliv - ers high-quality wine at an affordable price point, making it easier to entice guests to try something new—and delicious. Bob Bath, MS, Head Beverage Instructor for the Culinary Institute of America in Napa, presented Garnacha on behalf of Wines from Cariñena. Shown here is the Bodegas San Valero 2014 Particular Old Vine Garnacha, which shows great elegance at an affordable retail price of less than $10. { SOMMjournal.com } 107 Bodegas Paniza is a cooperative named after the village of Paniza, a town of 800 people, nearly half of whom are growers who have meticulously cared for their 6,200 acres of vineyards for more than six decades, under strict quality control. Grandes Vinos y Viñedos was created from fie coops that oined forces in to focus on indigenous grapes t now sources from , acres of ineyards from each of the growing areas in Carineña, and the result has been a depth and readth of highuality wines offering super alue Bodegas San Valero balances both innovation and tradition and is the oldest winery in Carineña, estalished in t sources from growers with 8,600 acres surrounding the winery.