Come with me on a stroll through the wines of western Salamanca.
Unique, different, original, surprising wines.... There are so many adjectives to describe these wines that we are going to keep these four. I like even numbers.
The star grape of Salamanca: Rufete
To start with this cata de vinos de Salamanca, tasting of Salamanca wines, we are going to dive into the world of the most authentic grape of this area: the Rufete grapeThis is a small sample of the collection of Salamanca wines in which it is the protagonist.
Rufete, in its red and white versions, is the soul of these wines. Although the white is a mutation, local producers prefer to call it this way, instead of Verdejo Serrano, as it was known in the area (it has nothing to do with the famous Rueda grape).
La Zorra Winery. Renewed tradition
You already know the first winery I present to you from the previous blog post. It is La Zorra cellar Its owner was inspired by Samaniego's fable "The fox and the grapes", a nod to tradition. Located in the heart of the Sierra de Francia, this winery contributes to revitalise the wine tradition of the region and to rescue the autochthonous Rufete grape variety. Its poor granitic and slate soils, highly mineralised, stress the vines and give them unique nuances.
They produce the Rufete grape as a single varietal or in combination with Tempranillo grape, which I consider to be a great dance partner.
Let yourself be delighted among its wide catalogue by rare in the ink version. From Rufete 100%. Cherry colour with light violet tones, ripe black fruit, dairy, toasted and fine cocoa from the oak. In the mouth it is tannic, structured with a long and persistent finish. Tannic is that sensation of dryness on the gums, like a black tea bag.
From the white variety I have chosen the "Zorra Novena", a single varietal 100% white Rufete. It is a wine with a fat and ripe character. Its light buttery touches, coming from the malolactic fermentation (MLF) and toasted bread from the oak ageing, make it delicious.
A brief aside: What is MLF? It is the process by which malic acid is transformed into lactic acid by the intervention of bacteria that soften the wine. For example, although it has nothing to do with wine, as a curiosity, gummy jellies that have sugar on top and are a bit acidic have malic acid in their mixture. Now you know more about this flavour and surely you see it much friendlier.
They are very mountainous wines, as their proximity to "Sierra of Francia" shows the characteristics of their surroundings. They go perfectly with the typical dishes of the area. For example, with the "Limón Serrano", I already told you about it, and what a surprising mix! These selections promise a fascinating food and wine experience in Salamanca. What's more, you'll love the village where the winery is located.
"El Rochal "winery and vineyards
Next stop is El Rochal Winery and Vineyards (check out the views from the vineyards).
Located in Santibáñez de la Sierra, a small municipality in the south of the province of Salamanca, at the beginning of the Sierra de Francia. Its vineyards on hillsides with clay and slate soils give the wines unique characteristics.
"Calisto Rufete",with its aromas of red fruit, cocoa, chocolate and sweet spices from the oak, is the jewel in the crown. I recommend a unique pairing that I like to eat and that is a chocolate palm tree with this wine. Curious, isn't it? Rich and different, like Lavetonia.
I have chosen these wines to invite you to play with the nuances, aromas and flavours of each one. Appreciating their differences and similarities is a wonderful task if you come to taste wines from Salamanca, I challenge you to try them, as they come from the same area and it is a very interesting gastronomic experience. Let me know if you get your hands on these samples from this part of the world!
Dominio del Noveno Winery
My third choice is the Dominio del Noveno winery. Dominio del Noveno. Aunque no cuenta con una bodega física, su autenticidad radica en la experiencia en el campo, en sus viñedos. Quizás es lo que más me ha gustado de todas las bodegas que he visitado. Prefiero que me hagan vibrar con lo que me cuentan de su vino.
Here, Melisa and Ángel, passionate agronomists, are reclaiming a rural place in empty Spain and revitalising abandoned vineyards in the Arribes del Duero area. The Arribes del Duero. Important: Not to be confused with Los Arribes del Duero, which is in Zamora. I would like to take this opportunity to recommend a wine from the municipality of Fermoselle. A woman, Charlotte, has aroused interest in one of her wines in honour of her son Mateo, with which she baptises the same wine.
San Felices de los Gallegos, a village with a history dating back to the time of Juana la Loca, is home to the vineyards of Melisa y Ángel. This village, with a touch of humour, is called the "village of the three lies" as they are neither saints, nor happy, nor Galicians.
In search of the perfect sunset with "Corazón con Tinto "winery
Finally, and not far from Dominio del Noveno, you will find "Corazón con Tinto", a recent winery located in Lumbrales. Here, three passionate owners look after a small vineyard on the outskirts of the village, offering you the chance to enjoy breathtaking sunsets - now that's the perfect pairing! Their Insolenzia wine and these views will be the most special closure if you live a gastronomic experience in Salamanca. As for their wines, the white is refreshing, powerful and the red is enigmatic and elegant.
I invite you to visit Salamanca
These wineries are just a glimpse of the wine wonders of Salamanca. My passion for these wines and the beauty of Salamanca inspires me to share this experience with you. I want you to join me on this exciting journey through the vineyards and wineries of the Sierra de Salamanca.
If you are intrigued by the richness of Salamanca's wines and want to explore further, subscribe to my blog and join this community. I will share with you stories, tips and special events related to the world of wine in Salamanca.
Feel free to write to me at hola@aliceblue-mule-324162.hostingersite.com if you want more information on how to live this experience with me,
I hope to see you soon in the wine land of Salamanca!
