Spanish

wine guide
 LOGROÑO

HARO
CONCA DE
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Poema Brut & Xdry

Poema Rosé

• Reading a
Spanish Wine
Label

• Recognizing
Spanish Grape
Varieties

• Exploring Spanish
Wine Regions

• Kobrand’s
Spanish
Portfolio

• Understanding
Spanish Wine
Terms
SPain

Spain has more acres under vine than any other country in the world: over 3 million

acres.  Over the past two decades, the popularity of Spanish wines has exploded and

they continue to gain greater share of the export market to the US and globally.  Spain is

the world’s second largest exporter, surpassed only by Italy. Sixty-five DO (Denominación

de Origen) regions across Spain offer an impressive array of wines from traditional

to international grape varieties made in classic to modern styles covering every price

point from value-oriented “table wine” to limited production “super cuvées.”  The finest

Spanish producers are combining the best traditions in vineyard management with

cutting-edge winemaking methods. With this hybrid approach, winemakers are producing

outstanding wines. Gone is the image of a country whose only well known wines were

Rioja and Sherry;  new regions, rediscovered grape varieties and wine styles are fast

emerging from every corner of Spain’s diverse wine landscape.  It’s a very exciting time

for wines from Spain.

 The SPANISH WINE label

Country of Origin

Bottling Information

Wine Name

Indication of Aging
Vintage: Year of Harvest Bottling Information

Appellation
Producer Name and Location

Alcohol Content Classification

Italian Wine
European UnionClassifications
Classification* Spanish Classification Aging Requirements

DOP (Denominación de Origen Vinos de Pago Created in 2003, this is the highest established category (as practiced in Rioja DOCa,
Protegida) or PDO (Protected and is reserved for wines of recognized prestige made from these vary slightly in other DOs).
Designations of Origin) grapes grown under climatic and soil conditions distinctive
to a specified place.  Estate grown and bottled wines must Joven
at minimum meet DOCa requirements.
The generic, “Base level” of
DOCa (Denominación DOCa Denominación de Origen Calificada.  In 1988, the a young wine with no or few
de Origen Calificada) national committee created this new category to recognize months’ barrel aging.
wines that have achieved high quality over a long period of
time.  To qualify, a region must have held DO status for at Crianza
least 10 years.  It was awarded to Rioja in 1991 and Priorat
in 2000. Reds: 24 months, with at
least 6 in cask (330 liter max).
DO (Denominación DO classification requires that a wine has been produced
de Origen) in a designated area in accordance with local laws and White/Rosado: 12 months,
regulations; governed by a Consejos Reguladores, only certain with 6 months in cask.
grape varieties are allowed, growing practices and vinification
are strictly monitored, maximum yields are severely limited, Reserva
and the wines must meet required alcohol content levels.
Reds: 36 months, with at
VCIG (Vinos de Calidad The growing area can be regional, covering one or more least 12 in cask and the rest
con Indicación regions or limited to a growing zone within a region; only in bottle.
Geográfica) certain grape varieties can be used, maximum yields are
limited and minimum alcoholic content depending on the White/Rosado: 24 months
region is required. This is the intermediary classification with 6 in cask and the rest
before DO classification is awarded.
in bottle.

IGP (Indicación Geográfica VT (Vino de la Tierra) Literally “wine of the country.”  Like France’s Vins de Pays, Gran Reserva
Protegida) or PGI (Protected this represents wine from a specific province or Autonomous
Reds: 60 months, with at
Geographical Indications) Community, i.e. Vino de la Tierra Castilla y León.
least 18 months in cask and
Vino d’ España or Wine With VdM (Vino de Mesa) Table wine, not of a specified region.
the rest in bottle.
No Geographic Protection White/Rosado: 48 months,
with at least 6 in cask and
the rest in bottle.
* In 2009, the European Union introduced the PDO (Protected Designations of origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indications) agricultural product classifications, comparable to the
existing wine classifications specific to each of Europe’s wine-producing countries, e.g. France’s Appellation Contrôlée or Vins de Pays, though PDO and PGI govern other products in
addition to wine.  While they may reform some provisions of each country’s comparable existing wine classifications, they do not replace them.  A wine producer who is unable to
gain PDO or PGI status will lose the respective national classification, but it is possible to hold both European and national classifications concurrently.
 key SPANISH Grape VARIETIES

Grape Variety Region Character I Use Aromas & Flavors Kobrand Examples

Albariño
Rías Baixas High-acid, dry, complex / Wet stones, golden raisins, Bodega Don Olegario Albariño
Monovarietals and blends apples, white peaches, nectarines

Cabernet Navarra, Alicante, Dense, full-bodied, high-tannin, Black cherry, dark plums,

Sauvignon La Mancha, high-alcohol, ageworthy / black cassis, spice, tobacco
Penedés (Catalonia), Monovarietals and blends
Sardón de Duero
(Castilla y León)

Chardonnay Catalonia, Navarra Mutable character highly influenced Apples, tropical fruits,
Somontano by winemaking method, ageworthy / melon, citrus. If oaked:
Monovarietals and blends vanilla, hazelnut

Garnacha Alicante, Campo de Robust, fruity, high-alcohol, medium- Brambly, wild berry, RODA Reserva
(Grenache) Borja, Cariñena, tannin, medium-acid / cherry pit, spice, tea leaf
Empordá-Costa Brava, Monovarietals, rosés, blends
La Mancha,
Priorat, Montsant

Graciano Rioja, Navarra High-acid, plush tannins, low yields / Tart red cherry, herbs, RODA Reserva
Usually blended with Tempranillo in Rioja forest floor
wines, rarely seen as a monovarietal

Macabeo / Rioja, Pale, light-bodied, medium-acid, slow White blossoms, green apple, Poema Cava Brut
Viura Penedès (Catalonia) oxidation rate/ Cavas and Rioja whites fresh cut grass, lime

Mazuelo / Montsant, Priorat, Robust, high-acid, high-tannin / Spice, earth, pepper,

Cariñena / Campo de Borja, Blends crushed black cherry,
Samsó Empordá-Costa Brava, minerals, black plums
(Carignan) Cariñena, Rioja,
Costers del Segre,
Tarragona

Mencia Bierzo, Ribeira Sacra, Light-bodied, aromatic, high-acid, low- Earth, barnyard, ripe red
Ribeiro, Valdeorras tannin / Monovarietals and blends cherry, herbs, spice, mineral
for early consumption

Merlot Alicante, Catalonia, Plump fruit, full-bodied, medium-tannin, Black cherry, blackcurrants
Navarra ageworthy / Monovarietals and blends herbaceous, earthy, spice,
chocolate, mocha

Monastrell Jumilla Robust, high-alcohol, high-tannin, deep- Black cherry, currant,

(Mourvèdre) colored / Monovarietals and blends blackberry, menthol, pepper,
wild herbs

Parellada Catalonia Low-alcohol, light-bodied, high-acid / Lemon zest, Granny Poema Cava Brut,
Cava blends Smith apple, citrus Poema Cava Extra Dry

Tempranillo / Rioja, Indigenous, this is Spain’s most important Wild herb, cherry, strawberry, RODA Reserva,

Tinto Fino / Ribera del Duero, grape. Deep-colored, medium-acid / plum, leather, spice RODA I Reserva,
Tinto del País / Toro, Riojas must contain over 85% of this CIRSION
Tinto de Toro/ La Mancha grape if whole grapes are used; Riberas
Cencibel must contain over 75%

Verdejo Rueda, Cigales, Aromatic, herbaceous, bright fruit, Bright, ripe peach,
Toro high-acid / Monovarietals and blends fresh apricot, melon,
honeysuckle, lime

Xarel-lo Catalonia Full-flavored, intense, high-acid / Stone fruits, tropical, creamy, Poema Cava Brut,
Cava blends apple, citrus, vegetal Poema Cava Extra Dry

Trepat Conca de Barberá, Light- to medium-bodied, fresh and Wild, red berries and crisp, Poema Cava Brut Rosado
Penedés and Costers elegant/Cavas and still red wines red berry flavors
del Segre
Rioja
Rioja
Spain’s most renowned winemaking region,
Rioja continues to produce exceptional
wines.  Its winemakers are actively engaged
in a lively debate about how best to retain
the traditional ways while embracing
modern viticultural practices and vinification
techniques to make the finest wines
possible.  The Bordeaux methods brought
to Rioja in the 1850s are still employed
today.  Both traditional and modern styles
of Rioja remain popular with Spanish wine
lovers and winemakers continue to refine
their methods and knowledge of their
vineyards.  For winemaking terroir, Rioja has
some of the best in the world.  There are
RIOJA
three subzones, each with different soils
and climate.  In Rioja Alta and Alavesa,
limestone soils rich in calcium carbonate
predominate with concentrations of clay,
chalk, iron and trace elements, while
in Rioja Baja, there are clay and alluvial
(well draining) soils.  Rioja enjoys hot
summers and cool, mild autumns marked by
substantial day/night temperature variations
that are beneficial to the development of
phenolically ripe grape skins.  now has a reputation as one of the finest bodegas in Rioja.
RIOJA
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Bodegas RODA
This Rioja bodega enjoys an auspicious reputation for quality.  
It was founded in 1988 by Mario Rotllant and Carmen Daurella
whose last names each contribute two letters to the formed
acronym that is the property’s name (i.e. RoDa).  From the
beginning, the owners have refused to compromise their
philosophy: perfection at all stages of winemaking.  Mario and
Carmen view their bodega as a long-term project requiring
a consistent investment in quality. “R&D” could be RODA’s
nickname since it plays such a key role in the viticulture and
vinification of their outstanding wines; a full ten percent
of RODA’s gross revenue is re-invested into research and
development. The winery’s is cutting-edge architecture includes
a unique malolactic fermentation hall with a radiant heat floor
that triggers secondary fermentations.  Bodegas RODA farms
grapes from 150 hectares (370 acres) situated across 28 different
vineyards. Located in the Rioja Alta subzone, Tempranillo and
Graciano vineyards are 30-90 years old, and 60 year-old Garnacha
vines are within Rioja Baja. Each year, RODA selects only the
17 best vineyards to make wine; the grapes are the product
of extremely meticulous selection.  The winery is a striking
landmark set into the hill flanking the road that runs through
the traditional heart of the Rioja Alta subzone, Haro.  Fittingly,
RODA’s sleek, modern bodega is a visual contrast to the more
traditional properties that line the road: R. Lopez de Heredia,
Muga and La Rioja Alta. Initially viewed as an upstart, RODA
SARDÓN DE DUERO
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RODA Reserva
Made from Tempranillo with a dash of Graciano and
Garnacha from low-yielding (1.5 Kg per vine) vines over
30 years old, the fruit driven RODA is designed to pair
beautifully with food. RODA’s red capsule signifies that
the grapes chosen for this wine have a fresh, red fruit
character that can be enjoyed upon release. This wine
is fermented in temperature controlled oak vats and is
aged in French oak barrels 50% new and 50% one year
old for 16 months before spending 20 months in bottle.
The wine shows crushed red cherries, ripe, structured
fruit, gentle tannins and a long finish. Pair with
grilled steak, pork, veal with savory herbs, and
roast chicken with Latin seasonings.

RODA I Reserva
Made from 100% Tempranillo grapes from low-yielding
(1.5 Kg per vine) vines over 30 years old, RODA I is a
“meditative” wine. Crafted from fruit better suited for
more structured, age worthy wines, RODA I has a black
capsule, indicating a black fruit character and serious
structure. RODA I is made using the same vinification
and aging as RODA, including fining with egg whites (a
traditional Burgundy practice). It shows big, ripe, black
cherry and berry aromas and imposing, full-bodied,
densely powerful, spicy fruit on the palate. Pair with
red beef, lamb, pork or game simply prepared.

CIRSION
This wine is RODA’s singular effort to craft the finest
wine possible from 100% Tempranillo. A modern styled
wine, Cirsion is made from grapes of methodically
selected vines over 50 years old. Yields are a miniscule
300-800 grams per vine, about 1 pound per plant. Like
RODA I, Cirsion’s black capsule suggests its black fruit
character and concentrated, fine and noble tannins for
aging. The wine is aged for 8 to 12 months in 100%
new French oak and 4 months in bottle. With explosive
aromas, incredibly huge fruit, silky texture and noble
tannins, this is one of the great red wines of the world.
Pair with roast suckling pig, roast suckling lamb
(lechazo), or baby lamb chops, all incredibly rich,
succulent meats prepared as simply as possible.
Rías Baixas

rÍas baixas
Rías Baixas is located in the area known
as ”Green Spain” for its cool, wet and
green climate. The proliferation of high-
quality wines based on the Albariño
grape over the past few years has been
nothing short of astounding as both
restaurant sommeliers and Spanish wine
lovers have discovered the alternating
beautiful faces of this grape. Indigenous
to Galicia, the Albariño grape makes
wines that have a character of either
densely rich apricots and peaches or
bracing, tangy green apples and lemon
zest. Regardless, Albariños have flinty
minerality and zippy acidity that make
RIOJAeasy matches for
them excellent,
food. Five subzones in Rías Baixas
contain prime vineyard sites. Val do
Salnés is the oldest one of these and,
besides being the best area for quality
Albariño, its producers were the first
to pioneer the newer, fresh style of
Albariño that is so popular today.

RÍAS BAIXAS SARDÓN DE DUERO

VAL DO SALNES
S

Bodega Don Olegario

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Bodega Don Olegario

This artisanal, family-owned property was

founded in the 1950s. By the 1980s, Olegario
Falcón had developed the estate into a top
producer of Albariño. Bodega Don Olegario
is one of the very few single estates in Rías
Baixas, an area where a small plot of land can
be divided among hundreds of growers. Only
a handful of Albariño’s are produced with
grapes from a single property, and even fewer
from one located in the heart of the Val do
Salnés, where Bodega Don Olegario owns 12
acres in the area of Cambados, referred to as
the cradle of Albariño.
Bodega Don Olegario devotes its full attention
to a singular Albariño wine. Coveted 30
year old vines are trained to grow so high,
to protect them from the soil’s humidity, that
they can be harvested standing.
Wine growing follows the principals of
Bodega Don Olegario
Albariño
Made from estate-grown 100%
Albariño, the wine undergoes a cold
soak pre-fermentation maceration for
optimal extraction from the grapes
before fermentation in temperature-
controlled, stainless steel tanks. The
wine is aged for 8 to 12 months, also
in stainless steel tanks. With straw,
clover, apple blossom and peach
aromas and tangy, ripe peach flavors
with bright acidity on the palate,
this is a beautifully balanced wine.
Pair with oysters or clams on the
half-shell, broiled or grilled tuna
and swordfish, and light white
meat dishes.

“integrated production®,” which stress

traditional farming methods to balance social
responsibility, protection of the environment
and productive agriculture. This system
restricts the use of fertilizers, chemicals and
fossil fuels to strictly necessary applications.
 CONCA DE BARBERÀ PenedÈs

CONCA DE BARBERÀ

PenedÈs
The best Rosé Cava comes from this With a winemaking tradition dating back
region in Catalonia, north of Tarragona to the 6th Century BC and a progressive
province. The wine growing zone is reputation as the first Spanish wine region
concentrated in an area formed by to experiment with international grape
geologic activity and erosion from the varieties, Penedès represents both the
Francolí and Anguera Rivers. Over the history and future of Spanish winemaking.
millennia, a river valley has formed, Located in the Northeastern state of
bordered by mountain ranges to the east, Catalonia, Penedès produces a wide
west, north and south with elevations range of wine types, from indigenous and
from 350-600 meters (1,100-1,800 international red varieties grown in the
ft.). These conditions produce fresh, warmer coastal plains to exquisite whites
light wines with expressive aromas. from vineyards which are among those
The loose limestone, clay and iron at the highest altitudes in Europe. Its
soils have poor organic content. In the topography is divided into three regions:
extreme southwest, there is also slate Baja, the flattest and warmest zone
soil (“licorella”) similar to Priorat. Like yieldingRIOJA
hearty reds; Superior, the coolest
Penedès, the climate ranges from warm zone, further inland and at high altitudes
and Mediterranean near the coast to producing small amounts of white wines;
harsh and Continental further inland, with and Medio, a broad valley rising up to 1600
dramatic day/night temperature shifts feet above sea level and the region’s main
that are critical to acidity and phenolic wine producing area. Penedès is perhaps
ripeness of the grapes. Annual rainfall best known for its high quality sparkling
averages a low 450-550 mm/year. Here, wines produced mainly in the Medio zone,
one of the native varieties is the rare red the famous Cava.
grape, Trepat.

CONCA DE PENEDÈS
BARBERÀ

SAN FRANCISCO NAPA

Joseph Phelps
Vineyards HOWELL
MOUNTAIN AVA

Poema BBrut
Poema Rosé & Extra Dry

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CONCA DE
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Poema
The Cava sparkling wines of Poema
focus on a quality-driven approach to
offer an exquisite alternative to volume-
based Cavas. Poema’s Cava is sourced
from 152 hectares of vineyards located
between the high, central and low
regions of the Penedès valley in the
Catalan province of Barcelona, sourcing
specific varieties from the best-suited
region for each. Twenty-nine hectares
of vineyards around the villages of
Sant Sadurní d’Anoia (the birthplace
of Cava) and Subirats are owned and
123 hectares in four different areas
are controlled through long-term
partnerships with local farmers.
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Poema Cava Brut
The limestone hills surrounding Barcelona in
Penedès yield the trio of indigenous grapes for
this wine: 40% Macabeo, 40% Xarel-lo, 20%
Parellada. Vines averaging 15 years old are
cane pruned and spur trained. An excellent
food wine, Poema Cava’s vibrant aromas of
ripe peaches, pears and toast introduce a dry,
rich palate with flavors of orange rind and
spice that persist through an elegant finish.
Pair with oysters, sushi, poultry, cakes
and fruity desserts.
Poema Cava Extra Dry
40% Macabeo, 40% Xarel-lo and 20%
Parellada grapes are sourced from South and
Southeast-facing vineyards of prime exposure
in the heart of Cava production surrounding
Sant Sadurní in Central Penedès. Aromas
of honeysuckle, peaches and hints of toast
lead to a fresh and elegant palate with spicy
accents and a long, nuanced finish.
Pair with soft cheeses or fresh berries.
Poema Cava Brut Rosado
100% Trepat. Extremely rare red Trepat grapes
are grown in Catalonia’s Conca de Barberà,
whose limestone soils are ideal for this variety.
With aromas and flavors typical of Trepat, the
wine shows fresh and elegant strawberry,
raspberry and rose petal notes. Balanced
acidity keeps the wine light and fresh.
A great match with cold cuts, barbecue,
small game and lightly smoked fish.
CONCA DE
BARBERÀ
Poem
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CONCA DE
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spanish Wine Terms

Almacenista An agent who buys and blends young wines, then ages and sells them, similar
to negociant-eleveur in Burgundy

Añejo, Añejado por Literally “old” or “aged by,” term used only for wines Vino de la Tierra or higher

Barrica Small cask (usually 225 liters) used for maturing wine

Blanco White

Bodega Literally a wine cellar, but used to describe a concern which may have grown,
produced, shipped or sold the wine. Without further qualification, it normally
means that the bodega has made and shipped the wine.

Bodeguero The person who owns or runs the Bodega, and produces wine
(as opposed to cosechero)

Cava Sparkling wines made in the classic Champagne method, usually

from Catalonia

Comarca Subdistrict

Contraetiqueta Official back seal on the bottle certifying the wine’s DO aging and quality level
(i.e. Crianza)

Cosecha Vintage year

Cosechero Grape growers or farmers, typically they have owned their vineyards for generations

Criado por Matured and/or blended by

Denominación de The guarantee of the regulatory body for a demarcated region. Typically the DO
Origen (DO) regulations will specify requirements for grape varietals used, maximum yields,
geographical location of vineyards, length of time for aging, and sometimes
size of barrel used.

Dulce Sweet

Elaborado por Matured and/or blended by

Rancio An unusual, intense wine marked by oxidative aromas and flavors, usually
over 16% alcohol

Roble Literally “oak,” the term is used to signify that a Joven wine has been aged
a few months in oak barrels

Rosado Rosé

Seco Dry

Semiseco Semi-dry

Tinto Red wine

Vendimia Vintage or harvest

Viña, viñedo Meaning vineyard, this term is used rather loosely and does not necessarily mean
that the wine originated exclusively from a named vineyard

Vino Wine

Vino de la Tierra Table wine of superior quality made in a demarcated region without a DO

Vino de Mesa Table wine, either blended or without DO

Vitivinicultor A grower who also makes the wine. This is a new Spanish term because
previously these roles were not combined; it is equivalent to a vigneron
in Burgundy.
 The Kobrand Portfolio
CALIFORNIA
Cakebread Cellars
Sequoia Grove
St. Francis Winery & Vineyards
RED SPLASH by St. Francis
Benziger Family Winery
Domaine Carneros
Foley Estates Vineyard and Winery
FRANCE
Maison Louis Jadot
Château des Jacques
Domaine Ferret
Champagne Taittinger
Château d’Aquéria
Château Mont-Redon
Bouvet-Ladubay
Michel Redde et Fils
ITALY
Tenuta San Guido
Tenuta Sette Ponti
Tenute Silvio Nardi
Ambrogio e Giovanni Folonari Tenute
Tenuta La Fuga
Tenute del Cabreo
Tenuta Campo al Mare
TorCalvano
Tenuta di Nozzole
Santa Martina
Spalletti
Michele Chiarlo
Tenuta di Salviano
Agricola Punica
Feudo Maccari Saia
Fernando Pighin
Bollini
Caposaldo
SPAIN
s

Bodegas RODA
Bodega Don Olegario
Poema
ARGENTINA
Alta Vista
Bodega Chacra
NEW ZEALAND
Craggy Range Winery
Wild Rock
Infamous Goose
PORTO
Taylor Fladgate
Fonseca
Croft
SPIRITS
Alizé Passion
Alizé Cognac
Appleton Estate Rum
Appleton Jamaica Rum
J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Jamaica Rum
Coruba Jamaica Rums
Depaz Blue Cane Amber Rhum
Café Bohême Coffee Crème Liqueur
Delamain Grande Champagne Cognac
Larressingle Armagnac
Guyot, Dijon, Crème de Cassis

1 Manhattanville Road, Purchase, NY 10577

Tel: 914.253.7700 Fax: 914.253.7904
www.kobrandwineandspirits.com
©2012 KobrandCorporation, New York, NY