Photo of Bodegas Vera de Estenas via: http://veradeestenas.es/
Spain has a new Vino de Pago! The new geographic indication—Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas—was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on November 4, 2019, and the appellation will be in effect as of November 24, 2019.
The newly-registered Pago is located in the comunidad autónoma of Valencia, and is surrounded by the Utiel-Requena DO. This is the fourth vino de pago to be registered in Valencia. The demarcated area extends over a gentle slope that descends from Sierra Juan Navarro towards the valley of the Magro River and the Estenas Stream.
According to the fresh-off-the-presses documentation, the wines produced in the Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas will include the following:
- Red Wines:
- Based on Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and/or Merlot
- Minimum abv: 12.5%
- Maximum RS: 4 g/L
- According to the pliego de condiciones, the red wines should be deep red in color, dry in taste, with aromas of warm red fruit and vanilla when young. Gran Reserva wines should be garnet in appearance and show aromas of ripe red fruit, wood, spice, vanilla, and roasted oak.
- Red wiines are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
- Ageing takes place in oak casks with a capacity of 225 or 300 litres. Wines that are aged in oak for less than six months may use the label term “Cask-aged” (Madurado en Barrica); those that are barrel-aged for longer may use the terms “Crianza,” “Reserva,” or “Gran Reserva” in accordance with the general regulations for the wines of Spain.
- Rosé/Rosado Wines:
- May be based on on Bobal, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, and/or Merlot; however, most rosé is produced using Bobal
- Minimum abv: 12%
- According to the pliego de condiciones, the rosado wines should be red in appearance with strawberry tones and hints of purple. These wines should have intensely fruity aromas and lively, well-balanced flavors.
- Rosado wines are fermented in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks.
- Barrel-fermented White Wines:
- Produced using Chardonnay
- White wines are fermented in new oak casks of 225 or 300 liters.
- Minimum abv: 12%
- According to the pliego de condiciones, the white wines should have a brilliant straw-yellow color, intensely fruity aromas and a round, full bodied texture.
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It seems there is only one winery currently located within the demarcated area: Bodega Vera de Estenas. However, a group of vineyard owners in the area formed a coalition in order to support and apply for the PDO. If new wineries open in the area, they will be eligible to apply for the rights to use the term “Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas.
Welcome to the world, Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas!
References/for more information:
- EU Commision Implementing Decision-Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas
- Pliego de Condiciones-Vino de Pago Vera de Estenas
- Publication in Official Journal of the EU-Vino de Pago Vera de Estrenas
- http://www.josepastorselections.com/vera-de-estenas.html
- Link to EUR-LEX November 4, 2019: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/FR/TXT/?uri=uriserv:OJ.L_.2019.290.01.0007.01.FRA&toc=OJ:L:2019:290:TOC
- https://utielrequena.org/
Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org