Interview published in issue 4 of Click & Drink with Florent Dumeau, winemaker of the Faculty of Enology of Bordeaux and advisor to wineries and vineyards for more than 15 years. Currently, he collaborates with wineries in 8 countries, mostly in France (Saint Emilion, Pomerol, Provence), Spain (Bodegas Habla, Bodega La Mejorada and a project in La Rioja Alavesa), Italy (Valpolicella, Sicilia), South Africa, and Greece, Turkey, Serbia and Hungary.

He has worked with Bodegas Habla since 2005, and four years ago they started the Rita project; it is a very unique wine that has given us the opportunity for a deeper conversation with Florent about rosés.

How was Rita born? And the project in France?

It is very simple. In 2009, Juan Tirado – president of Bodegas Habla – told me that he admired the great rosés, particularly those from Provence like Château d’Esclans or Domaine d’Ott, and he asked me how we could produce a great rosé here. I replied: “Well, let’s go to Provence!” That’s how it started. After several trips and three years of searching, we finally found a vineyard in a good area of Côte de Provence, facing the mountain Sainte Victoire.

Spain boasts good vineyards and terroirs for producing rosé wines. Why has Bodegas Habla decided to make a wine in Provence?

It is true, Spain has great potential to produce great rosé wines. But Provence is Provence, it is the rosé capital of the world, and I think its chic side and its glamour with Saint Tropez and the other typical towns of the area, fits very well with the philosophy and image of Habla.

And the name, why Rita? It’s funny, different…

It is a question for Valentín, our graphics and artistic creator, but the shape of Rita’s bottle and the exuberant character of the wine remind us of the famous Hollywood sex appeal that Rita Hayworth embodied in the 40s … It is a tribute to the glamour of the time.

Another distinctive feature of Rita is the glass stopper, why was it decided to use it?

It should be noted that the glass stopper allows preserving the wine and its aromas in better conditions than a classic cork. Our first concern is to present the wine to the consumer in perfect conditions, therefore the choice of the stopper has not been purely aesthetic. However, it is true that its aesthetic fits perfectly with Rita.

Turning the conversation to Provence; is it the best area to produce rosé wines?

Surely one of the best; undoubtedly the most famous.

Why do certain rosé wines have such a high price? Do grape varieties, the production process or a reduced production have any influence on this?

First, because the area of Côte de Provence is limited, and as the consumption of rosé wine has skyrocketed in recent years, there is less and less availability in the market and – logically – prices go up.

Furthermore, Côte de Provence has worked extensively on communication and some brands are enjoying great worldwide success today: this is the case of Minuty, Miraval or Whispering Angel by Sacha Lichine.

Where else is Rita sold; in Spain or abroad?

Today Rita is mostly sold in Spain, but sales abroad are growing, particularly on the two American continents.

Do you think that the consumption of rosé wine is a passing fad or a trend that will last over time?

In recent years the consumption of rosé in France has increased between 20% and 35% each year… It is an incredible growth and given the trend and global warming, we can imagine that this development will continue that way for many more years.

Are the rosé wines already considered as good food pairing wines in Spain, or are they still considered more as summer wines?

I believe that there is a tremendous potential for development in Spain. Gradually, I find more and more rosé wines in more restaurants. We have observed the same phenomenon in Italy for a few years. It is difficult to change the habits of consumers: this is where avant-garde wineries such as Habla have an important role to play.

What do you like to pair Rita with? 

I love pairing Rita with seafood, even oysters, but in my opinion, it is a must to try it with white cheeses like Beaufort or Comté.

Provence produces rosés that can be kept for several years. How long can you save a Rita?

The grand rosés from Provence always present freshness and aromatic exuberance. These are characteristics that are lost over time. Its light pale colour also tends to evolve over the years. I am not in favour of aging rosés: to really enjoy them, you should drink them young, I would say bottles between one and three years of age, and the same goes for Rita.

Has Bodegas Habla considered expanding the range of rosés? A Rita Ice, for example? 

I don’t think you will see a Rita Ice… But another rosé in our range, surely yes. We are evaluating it, although it will have to be unique and original, as always… And, at this moment in time, the truth is that it will be difficult to find a place for another rosé to stand side by side with Rita…

Habla Rita 2016

Habla Rita 2016

Traditionally the world of wine has been a world dominated by men. However, slowly (too slowly) women are getting their names recognised in the world of wine. To put a spotlight on the great work done by women in the industry today we are sharing 5 wines made by women. We hope you like them! 

Pazo Señorans 2016

This balanced and elegant Albariño white wine from Rías Baixas is a safe buy, and behind the wine, we find the winemaker Ana Quintela, who has been with Pazo de Señorans since 1990, and the owner of the winery, Marisol Bueno, a revolutionary of Galician white wines.

Buy Pazo Señorans 2016

Cune Reserva 2011

María Larrea is the winemaker and technical director of CVNE, one of the most important and largest wineries in Spain. There she produces must-taste wines from Rioja like this Cune Reserva 2011, produced mainly from Tempranillo and it is both soft, pleasant and easy to drink.

Nita 2015

Nita is the result of the sound suggestion by Meritxell Pallejà, who is responsible for wine, to establish a personal biodynamic wine project. This is a wine with a pronounced fruitiness that reminds us of the minerals of the lands of Priorat. It is also a great RCP wine.

Viña Tondonia Reserva 2004

Viña Tondonia is one of the most prestigious wineries in Rioja. Here we find María José López de Heredia, great-granddaughter of the founder and one of the most important women on the wine-making scene in Europe. She follows the family tradition with wines such as this great Viña Tondonia Reserva.

Camí Pesseroles 2011

When Sara Pérez was born it was written in the stars that she would grow up to make great wines, and this has been demonstrated through Mas Martinet. In this Priorat winery, Sara utilises the experience passed on from her father and spoils us with great wines such as Camí Pesseroles.

Buy Camí Pesseroles 2011

Where is it written that eating pizza or hot dogs cannot be combined with a good wine? Wine does not always have to be accompanied by fancy cuisine as it can successfully be paired with an infinite variety of dishes.

Limitations are not our philosophy. Even the experts say it, like Nicolás Boise, chief sommelier of Mugaritz restaurant, who was quoted in the Spanish Newspaper El País recommending that junk food and wine can be a perfect combination.

But what wines pair well with fast food? It depends on the ingredients in each dish. If you are eating a sausage the choice of wine will depend on the type of sausage, the sauces and the other ingredients in that particular dish.

The basic hot dog (with mustard and ketchup and nothing else) goes well with white wines of the Gewürtzraminer type. If the hot dog also has crispy onions both rosés and sparkling wines will pair very well.

Nowadays it’s pizza and wine! Beer is not the only drink that goes well with pizza; if you prefer having a glass of wine instead we recommend rosé as the best option. Young red wines are also a good pairing. If the pizza has anchovies (something that is currently scarce), it is better to choose a white wine to counteract the flavour, and if you opt for a barbeque pizza you might find that going for a consistent and full-bodied red wine, like a Merlot, is an excellent choice.

Chocolate desserts marry perfectly with many kinds of wines. We already feel quite uncomfortable about the milkshakes found in many fast food establishments, and if we had wine with our dinner we would also like to finish with wine. In fact, you will find that there are some wine and chocolate combinations that maximise the flavours. For these types of desserts, we recommend red wines.

For certain spicy dishes, like kebab, the best combination is made with an intense and stronger wine. And red wines are also preferred when pairing with hamburgers. For some quick tapas, the white and sparkling wines are excellent choices, while taking into account the type of tapas and whether the dish has meat or fish.

Miraval Rosé 2017

Miraval Rosé 2017

By Ott Rosé 2016

By Ott Rosé 2016

Talking about trends is never easy. I am not Zoltan, so I can not tell you with my crystal ball or reading in the sea of wine which wines you will like in 2018. But yes, my experience in this sector, my training and my conversations with consumers give me the opportunity to explain certain tendencies. Consumers and their consumption habits, wines that are going to be drunk, communication, digitalization and even the impact of climate change have significantly changed the landscape of the wine world.

Consumer Trends

Consumers are heteroclite. We find fans of the great classics, those who swear only by the notes of most famous guides or those who are more curious – as is the case of millennials – who are not loyal to a single brand but who constantly experiment.

Label Design

Not only is it a matter of curiosity, but also a way to approach wine. It does not matter if it is a Crianza, a Gran Reserva, “elaborated since 1890” or Reserva de la Familia, that has 95/100 or a gold medal. What matters in the first place is the label and its design. The colours, what represents the drawing or the photo and especially the emotion or the history behind each label and each wine.

Price-Quality-Ratio

In 2018, if one wine is more expensive than another, it does not mean that it is better. The public is less knowledgeable but does not have complexes and it does not matter to them not to know about wine to enjoy it and to detect the wine they like. That’s what it’s about, find the wine that excites you. Therefore, the disappearance of the great classics is not for now. The clearest trends are the search for the best value for money, where traditional and millennials coexist in total harmony.

The Wine Trends

Light red wines

At last! The time of the wines is very dark, concentrated, fleshy, structured, powerful and often drying because of a massive use, not to say abusive, of the ageing in new and very toasted wood. Wines that became fashionable in the 90s with the criterion of the great critic Robert Parker. I do not mean that they are bad wines, but that they are always consumed too young: they are wines that would have to wait to be consumed for at least 10 years to be able to appreciate themselves well. That’s as long as they are well made from the beginning because often the wood also serves to cover and disguise defects or poor quality. But this is another subject …

It was about time! The time comes for friendly, fresh and spontaneous red wines, with less alcohol, easier to understand and to enjoy. In the end, that’s what it’s about, enjoy with a glass of wine. It is more, to enjoy a glass of red wine until in the heat of summer. Wines to share, to accompany the aperitif, for the after work. Live the fruit and live the freshness without losing the quality. This challenge has been achieved by wine growers who have known and wanted to work with native grapes that have almost disappeared or that have worked in very different ways the best-known ones.

Appear red wines from Galicia of unknown varieties such as red Caiño, Brancellao, Bastardo, Loureiro, Mencía by the best known, Trepat and others. But, Miss Uva 2018, it is, without doubt, the Garnacha. For a long time, winegrowers have turned their backs on it because it is a difficult grape to work with, low yield and fragile, but it has been recovered by small producers willing to give it the opportunity it deserves in areas such as Madrid, Gredos or Catalonia. Great wines have come from there at affordable prices.

Organic, biodynamic and natural wines, from zero kilometres, terroir and made from native grapes

The trend is healthy, healthy and sustainable. The consumer is increasingly concerned about the environment, health and well-being. Organic wines are an important part of the market, but not only. Every time there is more interest for the terroir wines, of “terroir”: the town, the farm or the plot are current concepts and very appreciated that also appear on the labels. The consumer pays more attention to the most unknown and autochthonous varieties, which are valued more and more by small processors every day. It would be very interesting if the consumer was also worried about the packaging. Is it really necessary that the bottles are so thick and heavy?

White and rose wines

The consumption of white wines is increasing. And, unlike the trend in red wine – which seeks the light style – with white wines the opposite happens. White wines with more character, volume and personality are sought. Wines with an ageing “on lees”, which can have a more golden and more intense colour. Does not matter. The whites of Rueda and Galicia are no longer the only ones. The Catalan white wines (white Garnacha) and the Rioja whites, totally devalued by the national market for decades, enter through the front door. Well, it’s to be happy that fashions change because both Catalonia and Rioja produce extraordinary white wines.

The pink ones are still fashionable. Less and less are associated with temporary summer consumption and more and more are of better quality. The preference goes to the pink wines of Provencal style, that is to say: very pale pink and presented in special or different bottles. Packaging matters as much as colour. Why Provencal style? Because the great rosé wines of Provence are the best sellers and sought after in the world.

Wine without alcohol

A tendency to rise, although it does not grow as fast as others. However, wines without alcohol have more and more presence in the market, especially effervescent wines and those presented with a very careful and surprising packaging. There is also a clear commitment to quality because what matters is a product without more qualitative alcohol. Even so, I do not know if we can really call them wines!

The wines suitable for vegans called vegan wines

The other trend that many people will say that it is not a fad, but a lifestyle that is generalized: wines suitable for vegans or vegans. Veganism, the answer to our stressful and frenetic modern life. According to a study published by The Green Revolution, prepared by the Lantern consultancy, 1.3% of the Spanish population follows a vegetarian diet and 0.2% has opted for veganism. In other words, in Spain, there are around 3.6 million people (7.8% of the total) who base their diet exclusively, or with few exceptions, on products of vegetable origin. Can we afford to leave this market without wine?
The wines suitable for vegans are made without using products of animal origin. Normally, the problem is that the clarification of traditional wines is carried out with products such as egg albumin, casein (a protein derived from milk), gelatin (obtained from animal cartilages) or the ichthyosaur. of fish (obtained from the swim bladder of some fish). But, to avoid these products, the most used product is bentonite, a chemical product … Just what they avoid using the wineries that make natural wines. Is not it the fish that bites its tail?

Colourful wines

Totally contrary to all previous trends, the colour wine, that is the main protagonist of 2018. The first most famous colour wines have been Passion Blue and Gik Live, two blue wines that were and are a national and international success. Now they are appearing more colours (orange, green, violet, etc.) and every day more wineries are aimed at the production of blue or coloured wines. There are also sparkling wines of colour that devastate the young. With bright colours, with iridescence, with flaming effects and more.

For many they are not wines – for me, they are not -, but if thanks to these wines the consumers end up being interested in wines … So, welcome. And, as with generations, consumers and their tastes have changed and the wines they are looking for too.

The consumption trend

Wines by the glass

We have never seen so many bars that serve wines by the glass as now. This trend is on the rise in 2018. Above all, we find bars with wine lists that offer a good and careful selection to enjoy and try different styles, which will delight from the knowledgeable lover to the neophyte. And they also make an important rotation, monthly or weekly, in their wine lists to surprise their clients and especially so that they do not get bored. The great evil of the millennial generation, which gets bored very quickly.

Blending

A fashion that comes with strength. Play to be the winemaker making your own wine, or rather, mixing varieties of grapes to get the perfect wine! Many restaurants and bars offer a selection of different wines specially designed to make the blend or the blend and the client imagine his own wine. More than one, less of the other, a little of this, etcetera, etcetera. It’s a bit like playing magician apprentice but it’s very trendy!

Wine tourism

Wine tourism or tourism in the vineyard is confirmed as fashion. This is not what I say, says the General Director of the portal Turismodevino *. Interest in visiting the wineries and an emotional experience with the wines we like were aroused. We like the story behind each wine, the memory that each drink transmits to us, just like the scents that remind us of our grandmother’s kitchen or the flavours of our childhood. Feeling closer to nature seeing how the vineyard is grown …

Online consumption

The year 2018 or the boom in the use of social networks … We consume “information” about wines: before buying or ordering a wine to be sure not to make mistakes, when we have the bottle in front to take a photo and share it, after drinking it for share our opinion … Clearly, the use of social networks is very important and fascinating. We seek the personal opinions of those who have tasted the wine before even the wine’s own information. It matters more and more the opinion of others.

It is the reality in a world where the school wants and says to develop more the critical spirit to young people. It is clear: know how to synthesize and take distance to have an opinion of our own is something that we will have to teach future generations.
Communication trend

Evolution of wineries and processors

Faced with the evolution of consumer tastes, wineries have to adapt. Many of the famous ones have already done it. Great winemakers are precursors to changes and trends. This is the case of Artadi, who left the D.O. Rioja to produce wines from villages and plots. But it is not the only one, many more do it. In addition, a generation of young processors is doing an exceptional job with native grapes and new techniques or recovering the ancestral ones. Working in an ecological or natural way their vineyards and the wines with ageing in amphoras or “used” barrels, that is to say where several wines have already evolved, and very little toast. They do not look for quantity but for quality and pleasure.

A large number of wineries are using organic products of proximity to developing their wines without adding any type of additive, without manipulating them. Others go further and have specialized in making wines suitable for vegans, or, as I said before, in coloured wines. They are also being renovated with wine tourism. They make their products known in a different way beyond the simple visit-tasting, but providing a true experience in the vineyard, explaining a story, exciting the consumer with leisure and enjoy.

The wineries are linked to sporting events, musical events (such as Turmalina, the first wine festival held in the Comunidad Foral de Navarra) and fashion, where good wines, friends and/or personalities come together. They also enter the digital world. They no longer fear it so much …

But in addition to the product, the quality, the ingredients, the colour or where we drink it, we care how they tell us about wine. We leave behind the pompous speeches of experts such as ageing in Allier barrels, aromas of white pepper, malolactic fermentations, batonnage, residual sugar or volatile acidity and other rude words! The simple, affordable and accessible language of anyone arrives. A good sommelier is the one who knows how to explain the wine without reciting the technical specifications of the winery, which uses words and stories that will bring the wine closer to the customer.

Another great trend in the world of wine 2018 is the increase in the edition of wine comics. In Spain, there are still few, but in France, it is a phenomenon of great magnitude. It is a strong bet to spread the culture of the wine world through comics and entertainment. One of the most famous is Los Ignorantes, also Vinómics, or the manga Las Gotas de Dios. If there are still few titles in Spain, in France you can find many styles.

The digital revolution in the world of wine

The wine industry has been slow enough to adapt to the digital world, but we can say that its evolution is impressive. It could not be otherwise! Nowadays everyone is looking for information or online shopping in one click. We know the wine stores that have their website, wine stores exclusively online sales, monthly subscription and send a batch adapted to your tastes but surprising, private exclusive sales, but where is the offer in 2018?

The figure of the online Marketplace to buy wine is becoming a powerful force. The leader in Spain with the most extensive wine catalogue in Europe is Uvinum with more than 100,000 listings of wines, distillates and beers for sale.

Startups innovate more than ever. In 2018, the growth of smartphone use is confirmed and will increase. They are improving the apps that already exist and others are created, all very interesting depending on what we are looking for: price comparators; albums for collectors; to qualify a wine and buy it; another that aspires to become the wine assistant for poorly understood people; to register the wines you are tasting and record their main characteristics and include the personal tasting notes; to provide information on the quality of the harvests of the main producers taking into account the year and the appellation of origin of the wine of the main wine-producing countries; to match the pairing of their wines and food (there are exclusive ones for pairings with cheeses); to indicate the ideal consumption date of a specific wine bottle; to indicate the ideal time of consumption of natural or biodynamic wines depending on the moon and the appropriate days to open the wines (if it is a flower day, a day leaf … ok, this is very freaky, but it is fantastic); to detect new features according to your tastes; etc…

Applications about wines exist for all tastes, the number goes up and above all, they are fine-tuned. It ended up having only one web page, the app format for a smartphone is essential if you want to reach the new generation of consumers. Not only do they have to be interesting, easy to use and adapted to any device. The payment system has to be agile and secure, shipping faster, cheaper and more efficient. And, above all, that everything is “shareable” on any social network such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and all that exist …

International trends

So far the trends for 2018 in Spain. But, the fashions here are not those of other countries.

Outside of our borders, the consumption of wine in Bag in Box is imposed. Do you think it’s shabby? It will arrive here too … But, above all, it is the consumption of the magnum format that stands out the most. A festive and convivial volume (convivial is a French expression to speak of a happy atmosphere during a shared meal).
The use of screw caps for quick-consumption bottles. In Spain, it has not been imposed yet but it is not long. On the other hand, in France, it is the glass stopper that is the trend.

Outside of Spain, another trend is the consumption of sparkling wines -with better reception than they have here-, especially Prosecco and Cava, which tend to be cheaper than champagnes.

Finally, a trend that will or will come, but of course the worst, is the increase in the price of wine. Spain, Italy and France – which together produce more than half of the world’s wine – have experienced their worst harvests in decades after the grapes were damaged by extreme weather (severe drought, repeated frosts). This is also the case in South Africa – because of the drought – or in California – which has been devastated by fires – and thus for each wine-producing country.

Large producing countries such as Australia or Chile are exploring their colder zones to plant vineyards. We hope that the countries that were not producers until now see an opportunity here. England has started producing sparkling wines. Even large wineries like Taittinger are planting vineyards there. Let’s see what my wine glass says …

Pasion Blue Chardonnay (blue wine) 2016

Pasion Blue Chardonnay (blue wine) 2016:Daring and different, that’s the blue wine Pasion Blue Chardonnay, but also fruity, fresh and aromatic. 

Beefeater Pink

Beefeater Pink adds a new and bold pink face to the brand’s product range and appears as a punky hommage of London’s underground club culture. 

We all know our signs of the Chinese zodiac and horoscope, our elements and spirit animal. But do not miss the wine of your soul. At Uvinum, we have consulted the stars to know which wine matches best with your essence in this year 2018.

Aries

The Aries are strong, a little stubborn and always wanting to come first. As a force of nature, you know how to impress those around you and are not easy to forget. Such a memorable character is only satisfied with an unforgettable wine like the Belondrade y Lurton 2015. This wine, which has revolutionised the Spanish white wine market, highlights an incredible integration between fruit and wood.

Taurus

Why do we love the Taurus so much? Because you are a kind, honest person that gives us a sense of security. But above all, you like to enjoy everything that life has to offer. A zodiac as sensual as you finds the best company in the Llopart Brut Rosé Cava, an elegant cuvée of Garnacha, Monastrell and Pinot Noir that seduces on any occasion.

Gemini

As a Gemini, you are always in search of a new experience. Your restless spirit knows how to move worlds and adapts perfectly to any situation. No wonder you have so many different friends. In the famous “Comfort Zone” you do not feel comfortable at all. If they were people, your best friends would be Adventure, Innovation and Curiosity. With these strengths, no one can stop you. You want to fly, you’re going to fly. You do not follow, but you create trends among your friends. And therefore, the wine that best represents you in 2018 is the Moët & Chandon Ice Impérial: Balanced, cool and trendy.

Cancer

Under that hard shell is a heart of gold. Cancers, like good wines, need time. But once opened, they develop all their beauty and inner delicacy. You choose your friends very carefully but then you take care of them as if they were your children. And they know how lucky they are to enjoy such a special person like you. Each cup that is taken with you is a cup full of love and compassion. A classic like you needs a classic like the Marqués de Murrieta Reserva 2013. Favourite of experts like Robert Parker and an excellent companion that improves with each vintage.

Leo

The world hears your roar, and your family and your friends follow you wherever you go. You break with old habits and create new trends. Deservedly the protagonist, unique and of an indomitable character you need a worthy wine like Gérard Bertrand’s Naturalys Merlot. A biodynamic French that, just like you, is a leader in his area that also shows great respect for its roots and the earth.

Virgo

Although many think you are sensitive and fragile, you are a more complex person. You are very strong, but you show a lot of sensitivity and tenderness. With your arms always open, ready to welcome strangers and turn them into friends, sometimes they leave you with wounds. But these small sacrifices are worth it and you quickly recognize who your true friends are, of whom you have many. The Miraval Rosé 2016 frames your spirit to perfection: it is fresh and has a complex structure with delicious notes of red fruits.

Libra

The classic pound that always seeks balance. You like making decisions but it is not one of your strengths. In moments of chaos you offer tranquillity and serenity, and when the party lacks spirit you come to the rescue telling the latest adventures of your daily life with grace and elegance. We do not know how, but you always know how to contribute just what was missing and that is why you have so many friends. You do not forget anyone, and nobody forgets you. You are an integral part of the life of your loved ones. And this leads to the following conclusion: your wine of 2018 is the Llopart Integral Brut Nature.

Scorpio

Friendly, empathetic and ambitious – Scorpio-like, you are very popular among your friends. Another of your superpowers is your subtlety and your pure presence. You stay behind the scenes to get out at the right time. Be at work, at a party or to defend your friends against any danger with your poisonous sting. No one has seen you come but you have come to stay. Pleasant and with a special touch, the Sommos Collection Gewürztraminer 2016 – just like you – knows how to conquer hearts in seconds.

Sagittarius

It’s amazing how you always know how to aim with your bow. Optimism, ambition and a fever of travel are your constant companions. You like to travel, see beautiful landscapes and expand the horizon. You enjoy giving colour to your life and that of your loved ones because a world without colours would be sad and boring. You believe in opportunities offered by destiny and in some magical way you do not miss one. In 2018, your path will take you to many various places, but it will be framed by a glass of Gïk Live, a pioneer like you, the first blue wine in the world.

Capricorn

Each of your steps is well thought out. You know the way, although not always the destination. But it is just what makes you so special. Enjoying the present, you face the future. You quickly come out as the unexpected star of each party, turning strangers into friends and you will keep many of them for the rest of your life thanks to your persistent character. A person like you only finds the best companion in a wine like El Molar 2016. It is written as your biography, experts and novices evaluate this Spanish with excellent reviews, like a diamond to discover.

Aquarius

All life begins in the water. This simple fact makes you an important connector of humanity. And although you are not always the protagonist, you will always be a fundamental part of your group of friends. You are a welcome guest at each party and you should not miss out on any wines, such as the Pago de los Capellanes Joven Roble. Young, fresh, tasty and vivacious, it combines power, structure and rich freshness.

Pisces

“Under the sea, under the sea, darling it’s better, down where it’s wetter.” Cheerful and moved, you find security and more happiness when you are surrounded by your family and your closest friends. But to truly appreciate these treasures of life, from time to time it is good to get away. Whether it’s by plane, car or bike – it does not matter, because you’re only going to come back with recharged batteries and new energies. That’s why the 2016 Bicicletas y Peces Verdejo seems to be specially made for you. Vivacious and made to enjoy, this is your wine to enjoy in 2018.

Fish is one of the best foods for the body. Nourishing, healthy for the heart and with the vitamins and minerals needed to be well. As it should be consumed all year, it goes well with some drinks, such as wine.

White wine

This wine is perfectly suitable for fish. In fact, it is usually consumed with paellas, seafood and whitefish. For whitefish, precisely, with albariño or sauvignon blanc wines. The fruity, fresh and aromatic white wines are the best as well as the Verdejo. Muscat grapes are also highly prized in the kitchen, especially in all kinds of fish.

Rosé wines

Along with white wine, rosé is another perfect choice when we eat fish, both whitefish and oily fish. For example, cod or salmon can be combined with powerful rosé wines. As we will also choose mullets when we want a good rosé wine.

Red wines

Yes, red wines are also suitable for fish. Especially for oily fish and raw tuna, young red wines are recommended. If they have a fruity taste, much better. Smoked fish are also a good match for red wines, by enhancing the flavour of this type of fish.

Wines for seafood

Mention aside are the wines that are suitable for seafood. For example, oysters match well with white and sparkling wines, especially dry cava. Crustaceans can be paired with slightly more acidic wines.

On the other hand, octopus dishes need a more powerful wine, such as red wine. In recent times, the pairing of wine and fish is having a good acceptance among wine lovers. It is not always known which wine is good for each fish.

El Molar 2016

El Molar 2016 stands out like a shiny diamond for its fruity touch. 

Bread with cereals, bread with wine, dark bread and bread of diverse flavors. Bread is one of the most important and nutritious foods, and you can never miss at good meal, either to accompany your dish or to make sandwiches.

Although it is a grateful food that goes well with many drinks and easy to accompany with other foods, we must know how to properly combine. Black, rye and cereal breads can be mixed with cheeses, jams and also with pates. They are perfect breads to spread everything you want, especially at breakfast.

The whole wheat bread is also good to sprinkle and to accompany really strong plates and dishes. To make sandwiches with tomatoes and sausages, there are several types of breads, such as the traditional chapata that sausages with ham serrano, chorizo or loin. In the same way that the bread of peas is perfect for tortillas and sandwiches of fuet.

The meat can be combined with a red wine accompanied with candeal bread that presents low humidity, and the Castilian loaf. These breads can also be served with fish, although it is always better with loaves of bread (when bought at the bakery). And bread with paprika is especially for seafood.

Bread with wine presents many alternatives. For example the baguette, the best known and sold bread, usually has a delicate flavor, so white wine is preferred along with cheeses and something stronger to contrast flavors.

Focaccia bread can be combined with red wine and also with very fresh rosé wine. Being a traditionally Italian bread nothing beats combining it with an Italian wine, such as the pink Chianti.

The breads that has raisins, nuts and other fruits go well with the somewhat sweet wines and with the cava or champagne.

Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2012

Ruffino Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale 2012

Ruffino Chianti 2014

Ruffino Chianti 2014

On September 19th the world of showbiz was surprised by the announcement of the separation of the famous Hollywood couple: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie. After 12 years of relationship, the duo ‘Brangelina’ are hogging the headlines of entertainment with the divorce petition filed by the protagonist of Tomb Raider.

Many questions still remain unresolved: the reason for their breakup, who will have custody of their 6 children, or how to share their vast fortune. Valued at more than $ 400 million, this fortune is among others made up of multiple properties in the Château Miraval, a French winery responsible for one of the best rosés today: Miraval Rosé.

For many, the fame of this wine is associated with the brand ‘Brangelina’. It is obvious that this is a publicity gimmick of highly effective; not surprisingly, it took only five hours to sell 6,000 bottles produced in 2012. However, Miraval Rosé is much more than a wine that benefits from the reputation of the owners of the winery. It has developed in collaboration with the winemaker Marc Perrin, the first rose wine to figure among the annual selection of the “100 best wines of the year” according to Wine Spectator.

Doubts about the future of this prestigious winery and its wines were even prior to the announcement of separation of the two main characters of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. There are rumors since last August that the Château Miraval will be put up for sale, threatening the future of the vineyards of Syrah, Mourvedre, and Cabernet hosting this property; as well as great wines that give life, including Miraval Rosé.

Uncertainty about the future of Château Miraval has increased after the news of divorce ‘Brangelina’; keeping rosé wine lovers on tenterhooks. We hope that the Miraval Rosé will not be affected by the separation of the couple, so we can continue to enjoy it in the future.

Miraval Rosé 2015

Miraval Rosé 2015

Miraval Rosé Double Magnum 2015

Miraval Rosé Double Magnum 2015

Autumn is just around the corner and nothing is more refreshing than a good rosé wine in your balcony feeling the sweet evening breeze. The most ambitious rosés can be paired with various foods that come along with the season. Here are some great advices.

Rosé wine + Meat

Although this wine fits perfectly with fish, pairing it with meat it’s also a very viable option. That is why it is recommended to mix it with pinky sausages and stronger red meats.

On the other hand, if you are having pork for dinner, you can go with a Monastrell rosé. Its fruity taste goes well with barbecued ribs and with any grilled meat.

Seafood

The purest rosé wine is the perfect choice for any seafood. Especially fruity wines because they intensify the powerful flavor of certain seafood.

Fish

In addition to white, rosé wine is one of the best options for all kinds of fish, preferably white. Just pick your favorite one and be delighted.

Cheese

Rosé wine and cheese are good allies. It is recommended to add goat cheese, camembert or brie to enjoy the special similarity of both flavors.

Pasta or salads

Fresh foods like salads, pastas, and even rice can be paired perfectly with rosé because they have a unique softness and freshness that make the dishes a lot tastier.

Fruits

Whereas you are having a delicious dessert or a fruit salad, rosé wine will go very well.

Tuscan rosé wines are better served with pasta and appetizers such as crostini, which is little pieces of toasted bread accompanied by tomato or pâté. Australian wines pair well enough with milder cheeses while Spanish rosés go well with fish and certain meats.

Rosé wine is best if it’s cold, but not too much, so we must take into account the temperature. Really it must be something hotter than white wine cooler than a red wine.

Le Crazy Tropez Rosé

Le Crazy Tropez Rosé: a rosé wine from the region of Côtes De Provence made of cinsault, syrah and grenache and has an alcoholic content of 12%.

Miraval Rosé 2015

Miraval Rosé 2015: is a rosé wine made by Château Miraval from the region of Côtes De Provence vinified with cinsault, garnacha negra, vermentino, syrah, rolle, garnacha and grenache from 2015 and has an alcoholic content of 13%. 

If you are a big wine fan and lover like all of us here, surely you love drinking it while enjoying your favorite dishes and foods. And taking into account that these days are hot, we thought to propose fruit and wine pairings, an option that, in addition to being delightful, you will find it refreshing.

In general, any light, sweet and fruity wine is good to accompany your favorite fruits. It is also recommended that you test combinations and pairings with rosé wines or sparkling wines, as it will give your meal that special and delicious touch that you are looking for.

Special recommendations

Mango is undoubtedly one of the most delicious fruits that Mother Nature could give us. In addition, it is very popular, especially in summer, as it is common to find it in desserts or salads at the time. Because of its citrus affinity, a good Riesling is the best choice to accompany food made out from this fruit. You can also opt for a mature Sauvignon Blanc. But if the dish is something stronger than a dessert or a salad, either something like chicken or fish with mango cream, a good sweet Chardonnay will be your best choice.

If you are going to eat something like peaches, strawberries or oranges you should then choose a fruity and refreshing red wine, and the best of them it is a good Pinot Noir. In fact, a very good and typical Mediterranean cuisine dessert are macerated peaches with wine, an excellent sweet delicacy that for sure you have tasted once.

Salads and muscatel

Lastly, you can go with a sweet muscatel to pair with your summer salads. Although these wines come mostly from warmer areas and are generally stronger, you will find that they go along very well with fruity salads. And besides, you do not have to spend a lot of money: both Spanish muscatel wines such as those developed in the south of France are accessible and will make your summer salad a much more enjoyable meal.

Charles Smith Riesling Kung Fu Girl Ancient Lakes 2014

Charles Smith Riesling Kung Fu Girl Ancient Lakes 2014: a white wine from Washington produced by Charles Smith produced with riesling from the 2014 vintage and shows an alcoholic strength of 12%. 

Waltraud 2013

Waltraud 2013: a white wine from Penedes that is based on 2013 sauvignon blanc and riesling and presents an alcohol content of 12.5%.