Spotlight on a Winery Lat�e Bodegas
Lat�e Bodegas is the largest organic winery in the world. The 6200 hectares (15,500 acres approx.) of vineyards are managed by over 600 vine growers. Begun as the San Isidro cooperative in 1954, Lat�e Bodegas was developed in 2007. The winery makes conventional and organic wines on two entirely separate production lines. The vineyards are located in Castillo-La Mancha in the heart of Spain which is the largest wine region in Spain with over 600 wineries. I had the honor of doing a presentation of Lat�e at the Instituto Cervantes, located in the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) last month. I did a PowerPoint presentation and led the wine tasting portion which consisted of four very well made wines. Since Cervantes wrote Don Quixote, which is principally set in La Mancha, there was an obvious match between the institute and Lat�e Bodegas. One wonders if the fledgling co-op in 1954 "dreamed the impossible dream" of becoming the great success story it is now. Based on my tasting of the four wines, I predict they will also be successful in America. The soils and weather in Castillo-La Mancha are not too different from our own in New Mexico where many classic Spanish and Italian grape varietals do well. This makes their wines a good match for the New Mexican palate. I've paired Lat�e Bodegas wines with many local dishes with great success. Below are my tasting notes for the wines. When they are available in our state, I'll report on it in my newsletter.  2011 Toscar Airen, Castillo-La Mancha, Spain Airen, or Lairen is the most widely planted white wine grape in Spain and represents 30% of all Spanish wine grapes. The Toscar Airen is a big, aromatic wine with great acidity, body and balance. I picked up banana peel, wet stone and minerality in the nose and luscious green tropical fruit; green papaya, green banana, unripe mango and ripen banana on the palate. Unlike the actual fruit, the "greenness" of these flavors adds to the appeal and power it presents to the palate. 2011 Pingorote Tempranillo, Castillo-La Mancha,  Spain This is a lighter, fruitier version of this grape, Spain's signature red wine grape. The purplish red color entices and the bouquet is rich even before swirling, but deepens. The cherry flavor reminded me of Luden's cherry cough drops, and I mean that in a good way. The tanginess added to its charm. I also got black pepper and spices. The expansive mid-palate moved to cherry cola with light gunpowder-like tannins and a pleasing finish.  2011 Toscar Tempranillo, Castillo-La Mancha, Spain
This is a bigger, meatier Tempranillo with tobacco, earth, plum and cigar box aromas. On the palate black fruit, cassis and velvety tannins expand the mid-palate. The finish was persistent with red and dark fruit and dark chocolate. This is my kind of Tempranillo. 2008 Toscar Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah, Castillo-La  Mancha, Spain Both of these classic French grapes grow extremely well in Spain. A number of French winemakers have purchased land in Spain and have been growing these grapes for some time. Many local grape growers have also embraced these varietals. This is a big red with blueberry, red raspberry and allspice on the nose. On the palate, blueberry compote, cassis with tight tannins with white and black pepper accents and hints of candied cherry on the finish. In Italy the wines using French grapes are called Super Tuscans so I'd have to call this a Super La Mancha. |
Jim's Pick of the Month
I recently made a Costco run on Coors, since I had 20 friends showing up to celebrate July Fourth and found a few gems I'm passing along.
Kirkland 2010 Cotes Du Rhone Villages: $6.99
This almost rates as a steal. A regular Cotes Du Rhone goes for $9-$12, a Cotes Du Rhone Villages, which is a more select wine goes for $12-$15 and up. Great fruit, earthy as only a good French wine can be. The three bottles I bought went really fast. The savages!
Sterling Vintners Collection Chardonnay Central Coast: $7.99
This Chardonnay has good fruit and acidity. Not over-oaked, it is more fruit-forward and pleasing on the palate.
World Market 3601 Old Airport Rd NW, Albuquerque (505) 899-7902 is always one of my places to get good bang for the buck wines, but this one is sake. Check your local World Market for their bargains.
Hakutsuru Junmai Sake: $9.99
Cold sake is nothing like the stuff they heat up in a small container that is almost impossible to handle without gloves. A refined Junmai, Ginjo or Daiginjo sake is refined and elegant and uses tasting notes not dissimilar to white wines and pairs fantastically with most Asian cuisines. During the hot summer months it is also more refreshing than a big red wine, but packs the same punch, 15% and higher alcohol. This one is from Kobe, Japan, and is a bit stronger flavored than some but still rocks with sushi.
Frontier Mart, 3677 Corrales Road, Corrales 505-898-0311 is my go-to place for wines, snacks and whatever I forgot to pick up at the supermarket. John and Jean Waszak run a tight ship and always come up with good value wines.
Corbett Canyon Sauvignon Blanc - Chile 1.5L: $7.99
I sampled many of Corbett Canyon's wines when I used to bicycle the Central Coast, but this white is imported from Chile, which is probably why this is such a good deal. It is crisp, fruit forward with good acidity. I added this to my July 4th party and it went fast for a magnum.
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Tip of the Month: Wine and Cheese?
A French wine merchant's saying, "Buy with water, sell with cheese.", suggests it is best to evaluate any wine at a wine tasting with nothing more than water to clear your palate. The right cheese can make even mediocre wines taste like something worth buying. Some tasting rooms are not trying to be helpful when they provide cheeses, snacks and chocolate.
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July Wine Events
July 17 - Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival's 40th Anniversary Chefs' Gala, featuring wine pairings from event sponsor Kongsgaard Winery. Click more information
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Set Sail for a Winemakers Cruise
My last cruise was on an aircraft carrier and they didn't have all the amenities I could wish for, like great food and wine. However, if you've ever wondered what a wine cruise is like I can recommend a great one that disembarks from Ft. Lauderdale November 11, returning November 18.
The vessel is Holland America's newest ship, the Nieuw Amsterdam with stops at Half Moon Cay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman & Roatan, Honduras. A wonderful itinerary with diverse ports and diverse wines.
Winemakers Jim Ballard of James Arthur Vineyards, Nebraska, John McLoughlin of Jerome Winery, Arizona, and Paul Hahn of Mackinaw Valley Vineyard, Illinois will be on hand to talk about their wines and winemaking philosophy.
All this with the insouciant winds of the Caribbean promising a carefree and fun-filled voyage. Check it out and tell them you heard it from the Southwestern Wine Guy. (See flyer)
WINE MAKERS CRUISE IV - WWW.WINEMAKERSCRUISE.COM OR CALL TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS: 505-554-1930
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Jim Hammond has been exploring wines in North America, Europe and Australia for more than 20 years. A published author, he includes information about wine
in every book. |
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"Wines of Enchantment the Centennial Edition"
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Wines of Enchantment, 2nd Ed
ISBN # 978-1466453432
$12.95
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A Unique Party Idea
Spend an entire evening with Jim, the Wine Maestro, and learn fun facts, such as the difference between a Bordeaux and a Burgundy, or what the ritual of tilting, swirling and sniffing a wine before taking the first sip is all about.
You and your guests will delight in Jim's light humorous and information-packed style when you include a Wine Maestro presentation in your
party plans. |
Wine Trivia
Do You Know the Answer?
What would you do to remove a cork that had slipped into the bottle?
A: Hide it from my friends and open another one
B: Pour the wine into a carafe and hide the bottle
C: Use a cork removal tool to extract the cork
D: Use a ribbon to extract the cork to much applause
To find the answer,
click here.
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