deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodegas Atalaya Laya (Almansa, Spain) – $17.99 regularly $21.49.

For over a century (first established in 1916), the Viñas Familia Gil has farmed in Jumilla, Spain (just south of Valencia). With the patience given to the land of their ancestors, they take care of their old vineyards, and they grow with the incorporation of small wineries from the main wine producing regions of Spain including Castilla y León, Montsant and Priorat, Calatayud, Rueda, Almansa and Rías Baixas. Today, all of the wineries under Gil Family Estates are run by brothers, Miguel and Ángel Gil.

There are several brands of wines produced – bringing together ten different artisanal vineyards, taking small-production philosophy and giving it great exposure, at an attractive price point.

Our feature this week is from one of these estates, their Bodegas Atalaya Laya Red, a blend of Garnacha Tintorera and Monastrell flourish. As if they were enchanted, the old vines seem to like these low-fertile limestone soils suffering from scarce rainfalls. Located at an altitude between 700-1000 metres, they produce concentrated fruits that give a burst of varietal characteristics, flavours and aromas. Their climate (often hot summers and long, cold winters, with a regular difference of 25 ºC between day and night temperatures) gives a full-bodied red with fine maturity and concentration. Pleasant and fresh palate, balanced with sweet tannins, unctuous and enveloping with a unique mid-palate and long finish. Ideal to accompany with game meat and creamy rice dishes, stewed legumes, mushrooms, game and poultry, casseroles, fish and seafood sauce, smoked, cured and blue cheeses, grilled and roasted white and red meats. A deVine bestseller that is a bargain!

Bodegas Atalaya Laya (Almansa, Spain) – $17.99, regularly $21.49.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $15.99 regularly $20.49.

In 1971 Véronique Guibert de la Vaissière and her husband Aimé fell under the spell of an old abandoned farmhouse in the Gassac valley in southern France, near the old abbey of Aniane, in the hinterland of the Hérault and Mas de Daumas Gassac thus was born.

In the early 90s, the Guibert family took on a new challenge: to create a more accessible wine collection. The fortuitous discovery of great terroirs on the amphitheatre site of Villeveyrac in the Hérault, gave rise to an unprecedented co-op partnership with the winegrowers of the Villeveyrac cellar – a partnership that continues to this day. From then on, the Mas de Daumas Gassac and Moulin de Gassac families joined forces and created a parcel selection involving some thirty winegrowers.

Our feature this week is their Guilhem Rouge, an easy-going red blend of Syrah, Grenache and Carignan – offering aromas of dark cherries and currants with layers of baked earth and sweet spices woven in between. The bright fruit and peppery spices cascade over the medium-weighted palate and are supported by creamy tannins giving way to a soft-textured, approachable finish – a perfect everyday sipper that’s ideal with light meals, mixed salads and grilled fare.

Moulin de Gassac Guilhem Rouge (Languedoc-Roussillon, France) – $15.99, regularly $20.49.

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Adriano Ramos Pinto was an artist and merchant who founded his port house in 1880, making it the oldest port housse in the Douro Valley. In 1990, the famous Champagne house Louis Roederer acquired this estate but descendants of the founders still carry on the heritage of producing extraordinary ports and still wines.

Produced from 360 hectares in the Douro region on granite and schistous soils. Their four main vineyards are the Quintas of Ervamoira, Urtiga, Bom Retiro (vinification centre) and Bons Ares. Their Tawny Ports are made from indigenous Portuguese grapes and has a reputation for their complexity, balance, and elegance. Their flavors range from dried fruits and spices to caramel and nuts. Historically, Ramos Pinot has been one of the bigger exporters into Brazil.

deVine welcomes Rodrigo Lencastre, Export Director of Casa Adriano Ramos Pinto for a tasting of their table wines as well as ports in a sit-down event on Saturday, Oct 5 @ 7pm – $55 – we hope you can join us.

Register for the event here…

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $16.99 regularly $19.99.

Created by founder Derrick Neleman, Bodegas Neleman, located one hour 15 minutes drive directly west of Valencia, offers a range of vegan wines born from organically-farmed grapes that reflects the terroir with wondrous glory and variety. Their mature vineyards are in the hills to the East of Valencia at Casas del Rey. They are on small land terraces surrounded by olive and almond trees, and Parque Natural de las Hoces del Cabriel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Elegance is always the ambition and deliciousnes is an added bonus.

Our feature this week is their Nucli White, a 70-30 blend of the indigenous Macabeo and Sauvignon Blanc. This white offers an exuberant, full nose with peach and some boxwood. The fresh and fruity, tropical taste makes it a wonderful everyday wine with its beautiful freshness and delicious playful fruit. Nucli is the Catalan word for core, in this case the essence of good wine. Try as an aperitif or with salads, fish or poultry. 12% ABV.

Bodegas Neleman Nucli White (Valencia, Spain) – $16.99, regularly $19.99.

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Author: Dirk Chan

Our online feature this week is the Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Rosso (Abruzzi, Italy) – $15.99, regularly $19.99.

In 1910, grandpa Vincenzo set off for Naples in his dogcart. He was going to finalize negotiations for the purchase of a plot of about 20 hectares of land, set around a lookout tower. The land belonged to the Zambra family, and the tower, named after them, was known as “Torre Zambra”. On that parcel grandpa Vincenzo planted his first Montepulciano and Trebbiano vine and grew them for about 30 years, until they were destroyed during the Second World War, leaving the family in poverty.

During the War Laurentino De Cerchio, Vincenzo’s son-in-law, was captured by the Nazi army and imprisoned in Germany; he succeeded in returning to Villamagna only in 1947. Back to the small village he took over the farm and began his constant activity of wine grower, re-planting the old vines destroyed and starting to build the winery. And that’s how, in 1961, the first “Torre Zambra” harvest was bottled. Today, they are one of the most historic Abruzzo wineries.

Our feature this week is their Marzo Rosso – this great little blend of 80% Montepulciano and 20% Malbec with ruby red with bright reflections. On the nose, intense notes of black currants mix with wild blackberries. In the mouth there is a perfect correspondence to the olfactory taste with a slightly spicy finish. It pairs with cold cuts, fresh cheeses and both white and red meat. This is a supple and round red to be enjoyed as an everyday drinker.

Torre Zambra Idi di Marzo Rosso (Abruzzi, Italy) – $15.99 (regularly $19.99)

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