Category Archives: Testable Material for the CWE Exam

For generations, it was assumed that Corvinone—the big-berried, dark blue-black grape grown sparsely throughout Veneto—was a roly-poly mutation of the locally renowned Corvina grape variety. Thus, it was given the name Corvinone—”big Corvina”—and tolerated for use (in limited quantities) alongside Corvina in some of the red wines of the region, namely the Valpolicellas and the Bardolinos.

However, in 1993, S. Cancellier and U. Angelini—as published in the Vignevini Journal of the University of Bologna—gave the world proof that Corvinone is a separate grape variety. Corvinone is, they stated, most likely related to Corvina, but distinct, nonetheless.

According to Italy’s Registro Nazionale delle Variet di Vite, Corvinone tends to break bud fairly late, experience medium timing in flowering and veraison, and is a medium-to-late ripener (germogliamento: tardiva, fioritura: media, invaiatura: media, naturazione: medio-tardiva). Both the bunches and the individual grape berries are noted for being large in size and distinctly larger than Corvina. Corvinone is quite able to respond to water stress and takes well to drying; for this reason, it often goes through the appassimento process for use in Amarone and Recioto.

I have never encountered a varietal Corvinone wine, although they are allowed (at least in theory) to be produced under the IGT Veneto, IGT Vallagarina, or IGT Verona.  These wines might show the typical primary aromas of Corvinone, including red and black fruits such as cherry, raspberry, and blackberry; floral notes (violet), cocoa, and tobacco.

We are not quite sure from where the name Corvina, and thus Corvinone, is derived. However, many experts suggest that the grapes were named for their dark blue-black color, reminiscent of the color of the feathers of a raven (corvo in Italian).

For super-advanced students of wine: Late last year, the disciplinari for the wines of Valpolicella (Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG, Recioto della Valpolicella DOCG, Valpolicella DOC,  and Valpolicella Ripasso DOC) were all revised to allow 45% to 95% Corvina OR Corvinone grapes in the wines. You might recall that, up until this change, the allowed amount of Corvinone was limited to no more than 50% of the amount of Corvina used. This limitation has been now removed for all the variants of Valpolicella. The allowance for Bardolino DOC and Bardolino Superiore DOCG remains unchanged for now (35% to 80% Corvina, of which 20% may be replaced by Corvinone).

References/for more information:

• Robinson, Jancis, Julia Harding, and José Vouillamoz: Wine Grapes. New York, 2012: Harper Collins Publishers
• Robinson, Jancis and Julia Harding: The Oxford Companion to Wine, 4th Edition. Oxford, 2015: The Oxford University Press.
• Disciplinare – Amarone della Valpolicella updated 2019
• Cancellier, S & Angelini, U (1993). “Corvina veronese e Corvinone: Due varietà diverse”. Vignevini-Bologna. Edagricole SPA. 20: 44
• https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-2190-corvinone
• http://catalogoviti.politicheagricole.it/scheda.php?codice=328

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Photo of Clos Montmartre by Par Son of Groucho via Wikimedia Commons

On May 25, 2020, France’s Bulletin Officiel du Ministère de l’Agriculture et de l’Alimentation (Official bulletin of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food) announced the approval of the Île-de-France Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) for red, white, and rosé wines.

Wine produced from grapes grown anywhere within the Île de France administrative region will be eligible. Aisne, a department located in the neighboring Hauts-de-France region is also included in the defined area. More specifically, the Île de France PGI includes five sub-appellations:

• Coteaux de Blunay—covering the commune of Melz-sur-Seine, located on the eastern border of the Île de France (about 50 miles southeast of Paris)
• Coteaux de Suresnes-Mont-Valérien—Suresnes is a commune in the western suburbs of Paris, located about 9 km/5.3 miles from the Paris city center
• Coteaux de Provins—covering the commune of Provins, located about 10 miles northwest of Melz-sur-Seine
• Guérard—covering the communes of communes de Guérard, Tigeaux et Crécy-la-Chapelle (located about 28 miles west of Paris, and just a few miles from Disneyland Paris)
• Paris—covering the city of Paris, including its famous Montmarte Vineyard

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A long list of grape varieties are permitted—33 white varieties, 8 pink (gris/rose) varieties, and 30 red varieties. Most or all of the grapes you would think of as typical French varieties—including Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc, Gamay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Sauvignon Blanc—are included in the list. Some unique grapes—such as Meslier Saint-François, Chasselas, Mûller-Thurgau, Romorantin, and César. (For a complete list, see the Cahier des Charges, linked below.)

The Île-de-France  PGI title is approved for still (non-sparkling) wines and includes allowances for primeur or nouveau wines to be released on the third Thursday of November (of the harvest year).

Wine-producing vineyards in and around the city of Paris were widespread in the 18^th century and at one time occupied 42,000 hectares (103,000 acres) of land. These vineyards all but disappeared after the Second World War; but were brought back to life in 1933 with the planting of 2,00 vines in the Clos de Montmartre vineyard. Clos de Montmartre—the famous “urban vineyard” of Paris—is located on the north side of the Hill of Montmartre just a short walk from the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur de Montmartre.

Later—in 1965—the Municipal Vineyard of Suresnes/Clos-du-Pas Saint Maurice was replanted on the crest of Mont-Valérien, just across the Seine River from the Bois de Boulogne Park in Paris’ 16^th arrondissement. Today, the vineyard produces an average of 4,500 bottles of white wine per year and is an under-the-radar “find” for smart (or lucky) tourists.

With this announcement, we can be certain to find PGI wines from the Île-de-France in our local neighborhood wine shops soon (that is, as long as your local neighborhood wine shop is located somewhere in or close to Paris).

Welcome to the World, Île-de-France PGI!

References/for more information:

• Cahier des Charges IGP Ile de France
• https://info.agriculture.gouv.fr/gedei/site/bo-agri/historique/28-05-2020
• https://www.vitisphere.com/news-88788-Paris-has-its-own-geographical-indication.htm?fbclid=IwAR3TEfLuOoIQOOAUgtxw22ywHKQBPWof_smZ6Wm6ZcZRG4pefZA0U1_Vz_8
• https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/paris-ile-de-france/paris/grand-paris/vins-franciliens-obtiennent-enfin-indication-geographique-protegee-1788151.html?fbclid=IwAR3VLDWxKIYzeXWimVh8pCu4FSsq_9xEM-JUr5N4WABKHr4t1lS0tkA4AR8
• https://www.paris-bistro.com/vin/bacchus-a-paris/vignerons-franciliens-reunis
• https://en.suresnes-tourisme.com/vineyard-of-suresnes.html
• https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vignoble_d%27%C3%8Ele-de-France

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

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Today—June 3, 2020—the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) of the United States announced the establishment of two new American Viticultural Areas (AVAs): Tualatin Hills AVA and Laurelwood District AVA.

These new AVAs are located within entirely Oregon’s Willamette Valley AVA. This brings to total of Willamette Valley sub-appellations to 9; the total number of Oregon AVAs to 21, and the total number of AVAs in the United States to 248.

The Laurelwood District AVA lies entirely within the previously established Chehalem Mountains AVA; and is located along its northeastern boundary.  Foremost among the region’s distinguishing features is the predominance of the Laurelwood soil type. Laurelwood soil is an ancient wind-blown (loess) soil that dates to the Pleistocene era (typically dated from 2.580 million to 11,700 years BCE). During this period, a thick mantel of silt was blown into the eastern slopes of the Chehalem Mountains, forming deep, well-drained soils located at elevations between 200 to 1,500 feet (61 to 457 m).

The total surface area of the Laurelwood District AVA covers approximately 33,600 acres; of these, approximately 975 are planted to vine. There are just over 25 wineries and 70 commercial vineyards located in the new AVA. Principals from Ponzi Vineyards and Dion Vineyards championed the original petition and successful establishment of the Laurelwood District AVA.

The Tualatin Hills AVA is located within the larger Willamette Valley AVA, covering roughly 144,000 acres in what could be described as a U-shaped area in the Willamette Valley’s northwest corner.  The boundaries of the AVA are defined by the watershed of the Tualatin River and ranges from 200 to 1,000 feet (61 to 305 m) in elevation. The Tualatin Hills are the only place outside of the Laurelwood AVA where Laurelwood soils dominate the landscape.

The Tualatin Hills AVA is currently planted to just over 860 acres of vines and is home to more than 21 wineries and 33 commercial vineyards.  Principals from Montinore Estate, Apolloni Vineyards, and David Hill Vineyard and Winery were among the leading proponents for the petition and establishment of the Tualatin Hills AVA.

Welcome to the World Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood District AVAs!

Map via the original petition, as submitted to the TTB: https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=TTB-2019-0003

References/for more information:

• TTB – Establishment of the Tualatin Hills and Laurelwood AVAs June 3 2020
• Original Petition – Laurelwood AVA
• Original Petition – Tualatin Hills AVA
• Map of the Laurelwood and Tualatin Hills AVAs as proposed
• https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/06/02/willamette-valley-has-a-new-official-winegrowing.html
• https://www.bizjournals.com/portland/news/2020/06/03/tualatin-hills-gains-recogniztion.html

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

News flash: The Anjou Villages-Brissac AOC has officially changed its name to Anjou Brissac AOC. (Well, that’s a bit of a minor news flash—maybe more like a news sparkle—but wine geeks will want to know.)

Photo of Château de Brissac by Manfred Heyde via Wikimedia Commons

The Anjou Brissac AOC produces dry, still (non-sparkling) red wines only. These are defined quite elegantly in French as vins tranquilles rouges. These wines are based primarily on Cabernet Franc (which leads the area in plantings), although Cabernet Sauvignon is also allowed in any amount. The wines of the Brissac Anjou AOC enjoy a reputation as perhaps the finest red wines of the Anjou, and are considered to be a bit fuller-bodied and richer in flavors (dark cherry, raspberry, cocoa, cinnamon) than most red wines of the Anjou. Anjou Brissac AOC wines are proudly produced by a limited number of wineries (around 30).

The Anjou Brissac AOC is located just south of the city of Angers, adjacent to the left bank of the Loire River. The area extends southwest for just over 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) over the gently rolling hills on the edge of the Massif Armorican. Vineyards are planted along both sides of the Aubance River (a tributary of the Loire). The unique soils of the area comprise mainly schist and gravel over a bedrock of shale and limestone.

If you are planning on touring the area, be sure and make some time to see the Château de Brissac. The château was originally built as a castle by the Counts of Anjou in the 11th century. It was later gifted to Charles II de Cossé along with the title of Duke of Brissac.  The château—still owned by the Cossé-Brissac family—has seven stories, making it the tallest château in the Loire Valley. In non-quarantine times, the château is open to the public for tours and overnight stays, while the lovely grounds frequently host concerts and festivals—including the annual Val de Loire festival.

Map via: https://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr/

Here are a few other interesting tidbits about Anjou Brissac:

• The Anjou Brissac AOC occupies the exact same geographic location as the Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC. The Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC produces Chenin Blanc-based, sweet white wines.
• The area covered by the Anjou Brissac AOC (as well as the Coteaux de l’Aubance AOC) is located within the Maine-et-Loire département, and includes the following communes: Brissac Loire Aubance (comprising the former communes of Brissac-Quincé, Saint-Saturnin-sur-Loire, and Vauchrétien), Denée, Les Garennes sur Loire (comprising the former communes of Juigné-sur-Loire et Saint-Jean-des-Mauvrets), Mozé-sur-Louet, Mûrs-Erigné, Saint-Melaine-sur-Aubance, and Soulaines-sur-Aubance
• The appellation was created (as Anjou Villages Brissac) in 1998, when it was separated out from the much larger Anjou Villages AOC.

Regulations on the wines:

• Minimum 11% abv
• Maximum 3g/L of residual sugar
• May be released on July 15 of the year following harvest (although the wine is considered to have excellent potential for aging)

Leading producers of Anjou Brissac AOC include Domaine de Gaubourg, Château la Varière, and Domaine de Montgilet.

Confusion Corner: This change does not affect the Anjou Villages AOC which (confusingly) is a separate appellation from the (former) Anjou Villages Brissac AOC.

References/for more information:

• Cahier des Charges Anjou Brissac AOC
• Map AOC Anjou Brissac via INAO (map still reads “Anjou Villages Brissac”)
• https://www.vinsvaldeloire.fr/en/wine/anjou-villages-brissac
• https://chateau-brissac.fr/?lang=en
• http://domainedegaubourg.com/domaine.html
• http://www.chateaulavariere.com/
• http://www.montgilet.com/?lang=en

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

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In March of 2020, Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture approved a proposal to modify the Pliego de Condiciones for the DO Ribera del Duero. The new rules allow for the production of white wines based on the Albillo Mayor grape variety to be bottled under the Ribera del Duero DO, beginning with the 2020 vintage.

The Ribera del Duero DO—located in Castilla y León—was established in 1982 and quickly made a name for its flavorful red wines based on a minimum of 75% Tempranillo (often referred to here as Tinta del País or Tinto Fino). The red wines of the area always allowed for the inclusion of up to 5% Albillo Mayor—a white grape believed to be native to the area and grown in minute quantities but renowned for the rich aromatic notes and softening effect the it brought to the red wines of the region. Rosado is also produced in the area, often based on Garnacha with perhaps a bit of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon or Albillo Mayor in the blend.

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With the newly-published revisions in the rules, the Ribera del Duero DO is now producing white wines—known as Ribera Blanco—based on a minimum of 75% Albillo Mayor. The other white grapes allowed include Alarije (Pirulés) and Chasselas—provided they were planted prior to July 21, 1982.

Ribera Blanco may be produced via stainless steel fermentation as a light, fruity wine intended for early consumption. Such wines have been described as having delicate fruit flavors (green apple, lemon, pear) and lightly floral aromas.

Ribera Blanco may also be produced via oak fermentation and/or oak aging; and may be bottled under the typical aging designation for Spanish DOP wines (crianza, reserva, and gran reserva). Such wines are expected to show hints of gold or amber in the color and exhibit aromas of ripe pear, dried fruit, oak, smoke, beeswax, and vanilla.

The proposal to allow for the production of Ribera Blanco was originally published by El Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE) of Spain on July 27, 2019. While the new DO regulations have been approved at the national level, they will still need to work their way through the EU approval process.

Map via: riberadelduero.es

References/for more information:

• Pliego de Condiciones – DO Ribera del Duero – updated March 2020
• Press Kit – Ribera Blanco
• https://www.mapa.gob.es/es/alimentacion/temas/calidad-agroalimentaria/calidad-diferenciada/dop/vcprd/DOP_ribera-duero.aspx

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Photo via: http://chozascarrascal.com/vina/

Bodega Chozas Carrascal—located in Valencia, Spain—was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Julian Lopez and Jose Maria Peidro in 1990. The poetic-sounding name of the estate is based on the nickname (“Chozas”) of one of their grandfathers, and a type of scrub oak tree native to the Mediterranean (Quercus coccifera, aka carrascal) that—once upon a time—were widespread in the area.

Thirteen years after their purchase of the property—in 2003—the winery released its first wine. These early wines, bottled mainly under the Utiel-Requena DO, included a range of red, white, rosé, and sparkling wines based on the traditional grapes of the region (Bobal, Monastrell, Garnacha, Tempranillo and Macabeo) as well as some international varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Voigner, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc.

In 2012, 30 hectares within the Chozas Carrascal estate were approved by the Spanish government as a Vino de Pago. Just a few days ago (on May 11, 2020), the designation was approved by the European Commission and published in the Journal of the EU. (It’s official!)

Bodega Chozas Carrascal continues to produce a wide range of wines, including reds, whites, and rosé bottled under the Utiel-Requena DO as well as sparkling wines (Cava DO). Their current releases include the following four wines bottled under the Vino de Pago Chozas Carrascal designation:

• Las Tres: a white blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Macabeo; barrel-fermented, fermented in oak, and oak-aged for 8 weeks with daily lees stirring
• Las Ocho: a red blend of 8 grapes; each grape is vinified separately with the final blend aged for 14 months in French oak
• Las Quatro: a young (joven) rosé made from co-fermented Tempranillo, Garnacha, Syrah, and Merlot
• Cabernet Familiar: 100% Cabernet Franc, aged for 9 months in new French oak

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The regulations of the Vino de Pago Chozas Carrascal allow for the production of these four styles of wine, in accordance with the following standards:

• 100% Cabernet Franc (monovarietal/dry red):
  • Minimum of 5 months of oak aging
  • Abv of at least 13%
• Dry red blends:
  • Grape varieties: Bobal, Monastrell, Garnacha Tinta, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, and Merlot
  • Minimum of 5 months of oak aging
  • Abv of at least 13%
• Dry white blends:
  • Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Bland, and Macabeo (Viura)
  • Fermentation must occur in oak barrels
  • No aging requirement
  • Abv of at least 12.5%
• Dry rosé:
  • Grape varieties: Syrah, Merlot, Garnacha, and Tempranillo
  • Stainless steel fermentation followed by “oak maceration” for a minimum of three weeks
  • Abv of at least 12.5%

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The Chozas Carrascal property includes an olive orchard, a spa, and an impressive array of wine tourism/tasting experiences. Time to plan a road trip (once it is safe to travel again).

References/for more information:

• Journal of the EU – May 2020 – Vino de Pago Chozas Carrascal
• Pliego de Condiciones – Vino de Pago Chozas Carrascal
• http://chozascarrascal.com/
• https://www.wine-searcher.com/regions-chozas+carrascal
• https://catavino.net/winery-of-the-week-chozas-carrascal/

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Map of the traditional regions of Soave/credit: Casa del Vino (own work) via Wikimedia Commons

Soave DOC—Veneto’s beloved Garganega-based white wine—has entered a new phase with the approval of 33 new subzones. The new geographical indications were approved by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture in October of 2019—and as of March 2020, they have been approved and published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The Soave zone has traditionally contained two subzones: Soave Classico and Soave Colli Scaligeri. The Classico zone—the original, central part of the region located about 10 miles east of the city of Verona—consists of an expanse of rolling hills within the communes of Soave and Monteforte d’Alpone. The discontinuous Colli Scaligeri subzone contains a series of hillsides surrounding the city of Verona. The name is a reference to the Della Scala family (the Scaligeri)—former Lords of Verona and once-upon-a-time owners of the land.

Vigne del Soave—a comprehensive project to map the Soave region by soil types, elevation, micro-climate, topography, and historical usage—has been in the works via the Soave Consortium for over a decade. The project was completed in 2019 with the formal designation of 33 unique geographical subzones officially known as “Additional Geographical Units” or Unità Geografica Aggiuntiva.  

Photo via: https://ilsoave.com/

The 33 new Crus of Soave are as follows: Castelcerino, Colombara, Froscà, Fittà, Foscarino, Volpare, Tremenalto, Carbonare, Tent, Corte Durlo, Rugate, Croce, Costalunga, Coste, Zoppega, Menini, Monte Grande, Ca ‘del Vento, Castellaro, Pressoni, Broia, Brognoligo, Costalta , Paradiso, Costeggiola, Casarsa, Monte di Colognola, Campagnola, Pigno, Duello, Sengialta, Ponsarà, Roncà–Monte Calvarina.

Of the 33 newly-designated areas, 28 are located within the Classico Zone. Two—resting atop volcanic soils—are located near the commune of ​​Roncà (to the north and east of the Classico Zone), and three are in the limestone hills located in the western portion of the region.

The new designations are approved for use beginning with the wines of the 2019 vintage.

Click here for an interactive map of the 33 crus of Soave, via the website of the Consorzio Soave.

References/for more information:

• Click here for a 3-D tour of the Crus of Soave, via Pierre Le Hong
• The Soave Consortium https://ilsoave.com/
• https://ilsoave.com/en/the-cru-map/
• Disciplinaire – Soave DOC updated as of November 2019
• EU Journal March 5 2020 – Soave Subzones Approved
• https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020XC0305(04)&from=EN
• https://ilsoave.com/en/the-european-union-makes-the-soave-crus-official/

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

Graphic via: https://www.doemporda.cat/

Empordà—a Spanish wine region (denominación de origen/DO)—is located in the northern reaches of Catalonia, just to the south of the Banyuls AOC in France’s Roussillon region. Viticulture and wine production in the area surrounding modern-day Empordà can be traced back to Greek settlements in the area (circa 600 BCE), and is known to have flourished throughout the Middle Ages.

Viticulture and winemaking in the area took quite a blow from phylloxera, in the late 1800s, but by the middle of the 20^th century vineyards had been re-planted and wine from Empordà was flowing once again. The area first received DO status in 1975, when it was known as Empordà–Costa Brava, in order to take advantage of the area’s reputation as a beautiful beach-side destination and food-and-wine hotspot. While the area’s reputation remains intact, the name of the wine region was changed to simply Empordà DO in 2006.

The Empordà DO is approved for a long list of grape varieties and an equally impressive list of allowed wine styles. These include still (non-sparkling) wines in red (tinto), white (blanco) and rosé (rosado), as well as sparkling wines (vino espumoso), fizzy/slightly sparkling wines (vino de aguja) and fortified wines (vino de licor). Specialties of the region include Garnatxa del Empordà, a sweet, fortified wine made from sun-dried Garnacha grapes, and Moscatell del Empordà, produced using Moscatel de Alejandría and/or Moscatel de Grano Menudo (Muscat of Alexandria and/or Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains).

Photo via: https://www.doemporda.cat/

The white wines of Empordà are in the news this week. Just yesterday (March 3, 2020) it was announced that an amendment to the region’s pliego de condiciones had been approved and published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado de Espana (Official Bulletin of Spain). This proposal had been in the works for several years; and allows for the use of the Cariñena Blanca (Carignan Blanc) grape variety to be used in the wines of the region. The Empordà DO is the first to allow the use of Cariñena Blanca in its wines.

Cariñena Blanca is a white-skinned mutation of Carignan Noir (also known as Cariñena, Samsó, or Mazuelo). By all accounts, it has been grown and used in the white blends of the region for generations —the region even boasts some 100-year-old Cariñena Blanca vines—despite the fact that it was never entered into the list of official varieties for Spain. This has all changed now, as the official list of recommended grape varieties for the DO now includes Cariñena Blanca, in addition to Garnatxa Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Macabeu (Macabeo/Viura), and Moscatel d’Alexandria. Other authorized white varieties include Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc, and Xarel·lo

There are currently about 55 wine-producing estates and just over 1,825 hectares/4,510 acres planted to vine in the Empordà DO.  Perhaps one of the estates will produced a varietal Cariñena Blanca in 2020—it could happen!

References/for more information:

• Pliego de Condiciones Emporda 2020
• https://harpers.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/26698/Emporda_obtains_White_Carignan_recognition.html
• https://www.boe.es/buscar/doc.php?id=BOE-A-2020-2245
• https://elmon.cat/vadevi/actualitat/carinyena-blanca-denominacio-lledoner-garnatxa-ja-son-oficials-do-emporda

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org

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

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As of August 10, 2019, the Côtes de Provence AOC has a new official sub-region: Notre-Dame des Anges. This makes for a total of five sub-regions assigned to the appellation, including those previously named—Sainte-Victoire, Fréjus, La Londe, and Pierrefeu. The name Notre-Dame des Anges refers to one of the highest peaks in the Massif des Maures. The peak of the mountain is visible throughout the appellation and—for those willing to make the climb—is adorned with the 19^th-century Chapel of Notre-Dames des Anges (Our Lady of the Angels).

The defined region consists of ten communes—Les Arcs/Argens, Carnoules, Taradeau, Vidauban, Le Cannet-des-Maures, La Garde-Freinet, Le Luc, Les Mayons, Gonfaron and Pignans—located somewhat in the center area of the Var Department of Southeastern France. The area currently has 9,640 acres (3,900 ha) planted to vine, but for the time being only a portion of the established vineyards have been approved for use of the Notre-Dame des Anges designation. The area is unique from the surrounding terrain due to slope, aspect, and elevation, and well as soils dominated by sandstone, limestone, and schist.

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The Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame des Anges AOC is approved for red and rosé wines. The specifications include the following:

• Principal varieties: Cinsault, Grenache Noir, and Syrah
  • At least 80% of the blend must be made using principal varieties, and no single grape may comprise more than 80% of the total blend
• Accessory varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, Clairette Blanc, Mourvèdre, Sémillon, Tibouren, Ugni Blanc, and Vermentino
  • Carignan is limited to a maximum of 10% of the blend
  • Clairette Blanc, Sémillon, and Ugni Blanc are limited to a combined maximum of 10% of the blend—and—the combination of Clairette Blanc, Sémillon, Ugni Blanc, and Vermentino is limited to a maximum of 20% of the blend
• For red wines:
  • Minimum 12% abv
  • Date of first allowed release: September 1 of the year following harvest
• For rosé:
  • Minimum 11.5% abv
  • Date of first allowed release:  December 15 of the harvest year

This modification to the Cahier des Charges for the Côtes de Provence AOC was approved by the INAO on February 14, 2019 and published in the Official Journal of France on August 10, 2019. Wines labeled with the appellation Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame des Anges AOC will be allowed as of the 2019 vintage release; however, the modification will still need to seek the final approval of the European Union.

Welcome to the world, Côtes de Provence Notre-Dame des Anges!

References/for more information:

• https://www.vinsdeprovence.com/actualites/cotes-de-provence-notre-dame-des-anges-nouvelle-dgc-de-l-aoc-cotes-de-provence
• Link to the Announcement in the Official Journal of France – August 10, 2019: https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/affichTexte.do;jsessionid=2074AAC4BEB495EBE305C948957F39A4.tplgfr29s_3?cidTexte=JORFTEXT000038906357&dateTexte=&oldAction=rechJO&categorieLien=id&idJO=JORFCONT000038905982
• Modification du Cahier des charges – Cotes de Provence AOC – August 1 2019

Post authored by Jane A. Nickles…your blog administrator: jnickles@societyofwineeducators.org