Since last Sunday, the temperature has dropped a lot and it has become cold. I'm looking forward to seeing the autumn leaves change color.
Bodega Martinez Alesanco in Rioja Alta, northern Spain, is currently at the peak of grape harvesting. Rioja Alta has the highest altitude in Rioja, with temperatures reaching around 20 °C during the day, but the lowest temperature is below 10 °C, with some days reaching around 6 °C.
As autumn deepens, SEDIA-WINE will hold AUTUMN SALE for 22 days from October 20th to November 10th! 20% off all items, so this is your chance to buy in bulk.
We hope that you will have a little more time to spend with your friends and family with Spanish wine.
How to choose Spanish wine? For those who like it, I would like to introduce a little about the origin of Spanish wine and the types of aging.
Origin designation system (DO)
Under EU wine law, there are two types of divisions of origin: (1) protected designation of origin (DOP) and (2) protected geographical indication (IGP).
It's hard, but it's like a wine family. It's a good hint when choosing Spanish wine.
However, the traditionally used names unique to each country are also accepted, and there are four types of DOP in Spain as follows. DOCa and DO are venerable production areas.
[DOCa (Denominacion de Origen Calificada)]
Among the DO wines, there are currently only two high-quality wine producing regions that have been approved for promotion according to strict standards, Rioja and Priorat. Martinez Alesanco is located in Rioja, so it is a wine with DOCa.
[DO (Denominacion de Origen)]
A wine region produced to strict standards and a central category of high quality wines. There are more than 60 Bodega bearing DO, and if you hold DO for more than 10 years, you can apply for the advanced category. Dominio Fournier is located in Ribera del Duero, one of the leading producers of high quality wines in DO.
[VP (Vinos de Pago)] Applies to fields where one village produces exceptionally high quality wine. There are some wines that are surprisingly unique.
[VCIG (Vinos de Calidad con Indicacion Geografica)] Regulations are not as strict as DO and DOCa. If you hold VCIG for 5 years, you can apply to DO.
Aging classification
In the DOCa / DO manufacturing method, there are four types of wine aging categories.
[Gran Reserva]
Aged for at least 5 years for red and at least 4 years for white and rosé. In addition, red is required to be aged in oak barrels for at least 2 years, and whites are required to be aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months.
[Reserva]
Aged for at least 3 years for red and at least 2 years for white and rosé. In addition, red is required to be aged in oak barrels for at least 1 year, and whites are required to be aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months.
[Crianza]
Aged for up to 2 years for red and at least 18 months for white and rosé. In addition, red, white and rosé are required to be aged in oak barrels for at least 6 months.
[Sin Crianza (not displayed)]
Those that have been aged in oak barrels for less than 12 months and those that have not been aged in barrels.
If you want to know more about wine, please take a look at the details of each wine.
Have a nice long autumn night with Spanish wine!