New Spanish Wines
Are you in need of some inspiration to add to your wine list? Our buying team are always on the hunt for great wines to add to our portfolio, with an emphasis on wines made with sustainability at the forefront. You may have seen some of our new Spanish wines but, if not, we would like to introduce you to our new offerings. All these producers are either organic or biodynamic. Below we share a little bit about each of them.
Bodegas Pinuaga, La Mancha, Organic Viticulture
In 1960 Valentin Pinuaga Salazar, first generation of winemakers in the Pinuaga family, established the winery in the village of Corral de Almaguer, province of Toledo. Today, the second and third generation of the Pinuaga family Valentin & Esther, maintain the old vines with much care and pride. They focus on crafting organic wines with a sense of place, capable of expressing the diversity in soils, grape variety, climate, and biodiversity of the environment.
Bodegas Pinuaga Tinto Organic 2021
This wine is made from organic grapes grown on two single plots - Garnacha grown on clay soils and bush vine Tempranillo grown on sandy soils. The combination of these grapes and soil types creates an ideal blend of fruit, acidity, structure, and freshness. The grapes are harvested at night and wild yeast fermentation is followed by ageing in a stainless steel vat for a few months over winter. The result is a fresh and lively wine bursting with juicy red cherry and plum notes supported by subtle tannins. Perfect with tapas such as patatas bravas or with BBQ meats.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/2964
Bodegas Pinuaga Coleccion Organic 2019
This wine comes from a Single Vineyard of 6Ha named ‘La Lastra’ comprised of flat stones that Romans used to pave the roads. These stones help retain the water in the vines, store warmth from the sun and provide a more mineral character to the wine. The wine is bold and complex with notes of brambles, black olives, balsamic and cloves, oak notes from 12 months ageing in American barrels add to the complexity. Great with lamb chops, casseroles, or steak.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/2965
Hidalgo Albert, Catalunya, Organic Viticulture
The Hidalgo Albert family has been working in the world of wine for over 25 years. Their approach has always been to focus on creating quality wines from the south zone of Catalonia. ‘Celler Hidalgo Albert’ is a project which was born in 2003 with the target of producing organic high-quality wines with traditional working methods. They are situated in Poboleda in the north of the historical Priorat DOQ.
L’Ocell DO Montsant Organic 2021
This wine is made from organically grown grapes from the Montsant region in Catalunya, named after the Montsant massif (‘holy mountain’) that dominates the region’s landscape. Montsant lies West of Tarragona city and forms a ‘C’ shape that almost surrounds the prestigious Priorat region. A delicious blend of Garnacha, Syrah and Cabernet displaying lovely soft, ripe red and dark fruit. Barrel ageing gives enticing spice and toasty notes with supple tannins, which are complemented by a long moreish finish. Serve with lamb shanks or roast game dishes.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3052
Lo Petit Pau Priorat DOQ 2021
A modern style of Priorat, designed to highlight the mineral character of the llicorella soils. Made from a blend of Garnacha Negra, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, the grapes are carefully selected by hand and fermented in stainless steel vats. The result is an expressive and fruit forward wine with a distinctive flinty, mineral character and a touch of dried herbs. Ripe tannins add structure and support the fruit, finishing with a long, lingering finish. A great example of the modern approach to winemaking in Priorat DOQ, balancing power with elegance. Enjoy alongside braised oxtail, venison sausages or hard cheeses.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3042
1270 A Vuit Red Priorat DOQ Organic 2014
Made from a blend of Garnacha Negra, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carignan and all picked by hand. This full bodied Priorat is fermented in barriques and spends a further 12 months ageing in them. The result is a complex aroma of ripe fruits with anise and smokiness from the well-integrated oak. The palate is very intense, but the wine has spent an extra 18 months in bottle which smooths the tannins leading to a lovely long, fresh, and balanced finish. Ideal with barbequed spiced lamb, roasted game or local sausage and pepper stews which can stand up to the wine’s tannins.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3048
Can Vallès, Penedes, Organic & Biodynamic Viticulture
Can Valles de la Riera have a lovely long story, having existed since 1486, the year in which Jeroni Valles married Elionor Guerau and founded the family name, which, has maintained Vallès to this day. Since 1486, there have been 22 generations, one after another, who have protected and passed this wonderful farm, which includes vines, olive trees, almond trees, pine forest and holm oaks. The farm is located in a privileged place, in the Mediterranean basin, just 60 km southwest of the city of Barcelona, and 20 km from the sea, which can be seen perfectly from the top of the mountain range above the house.
Can Valles Xaxaxa Organic White 2021
This easy drinking white is made of a blend of Xarel-lo (pronounced charel-lo) and Chardonnay combining fresh bright fruit and texture. It shows pleasant notes of fresh citrus, pear, and apple on the nose, and on the palate gives silky velvety texture to complement the lively acidity and fresh flavours. This wine certainly doesn`t tire as its sensational moreish character means you can enjoy alone or with food. It would work perfectly with light dishes such as seafood or an Asian dish.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3064
Can Valles Xarel-lo Organic White 2021
Made with 100% Xarel-lo, this dry white wine is expressive on the palate making an elegant and delicious accompaniment to food. This light bodied white has a crisp lemony freshness with bright acidity complemented by subtle notes of stone fruit and a nutty finish.
It pairs wonderfully with fresh summer salads or for something different, go for snails and garlic butter, a parmesan dominated dish or Vietnamese summer rolls with prawn.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3065
Bodegas Puiggròs, Cataluña, Organic Viticulture
Since 1843 the family have been making wines in Odena, near Barcelona, these never got to the international market being consumed locally. In 2008 they redesigned the business with the aim of creating high quality wines that reflect the `terroir` of Catalunya. Bodegas Puiggros entirely use native vines of the region and implement the use of amphora to combine traditional practises with modern winemaking techniques. The small region of Priorat has just 1700 hectares under vine, producing some of the most sought-after wines from Spain. The vines benefit from a hot continental climate and are planted on an exceptional rich schist terroir, which contribute to the much acclaimed `mineral rich character` of the wines.
Exedra Garnatxa Blanca Amphora Bodegas Puiggros Organic 2021
This delicious organic Garnacha Blanca from Odena, Catalunya, is grown in vineyards in mountainous terrain at an altitude of 650 meters above sea level. Made from 80-year-old vines which give fantastic intensity from more concentrated grapes. The wine is kept on skins for a short maceration giving some added texture and aromatics. Then the wine undergoes a cool fermentation in steel, to preserve defined fruit aromas. Lastly, it is aged in amphora for 6 months, an ancient pottery vessel covered with beeswax. The wine is pale yellow in colour and has an aromatic nose with notes of peach and pineapple, accompanied by fresh and Mediterranean aromatic herbs. The palate also has hints toasted nuts, tiger nuts and bee wax, with a long luscious and slightly bitter finish. Pairs well with Fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and white meat.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3008
Exedra Garnatxa Negra Amphora Bodegas Puiggros Organic 2021
A fabulous wine, made from 100% Grenache. The grapes are grown in the same vineyards as the Garnacha Blanca we mentioned above, so again, the intensity of the grapes is excellent as they are super concentrated. The wine is fermented in stainless steel and then aged in Amphora for 10 months, which allows the tannins to soften without imparting any flavour characteristics. It has a cherry red colour which matches its intense taste, along with raspberry, and further complexity from notes of spices and toffee.We’d suggested enjoying this alongside dishes that include oily fish, red meats with sauce, roasted red meats or grilled red meats.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/3007
Josep Masachs S.L., La Mancha, Organic Viticulture
Josep Masachs Llorach, owned vineyards in Vilafranca del Penedès as early as 1920. During this time, he was one of the pioneers of the area producing still wines. His son then took over his hobby and made it his profession and turned his house, known to everyone as Cal Cabanyes, into a manufacturing centre in the 1950s. Nowadays, the fourth generation of the family has arrived with an open and innovative mindset. Under the watchful eye of Joan Masachs and led by Alex Ruíz Masachs – hardworking, curious, and creative with extensive experience in oenology and global sales. Family values have been reinterpreted to transmit them through more environmentally friendly products. The great plain of La Mancha, to the south of Madrid and east of Toledo, represents the largest viticultural area of Spain. The climate is arid, extreme in both summer and winter, tempered by strong prevailing winds.
La Chita Organic White 2021
The wise monkey on the label comes from the teachings in Toshogu temple `do not see bad behaviour as natural` - A Japanese saying to avoid spreading evil. La Chita is an interesting young style of wine made from a blend of 40% Macabeo and 60% Sauvignon Blanc. Intense floral and ripe stone fruits aromas are followed by a fresh and zesty palate with notes of cut apple, white blossom, grapefruit, and a touch of pineapple. This is a very expressive wine with a lovely texture and a crisp balanced finish.Perfect served chilled on its own or with a fresh summer salad.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/2969
La Chita Organic Rosé 2021
This 100% Bobal rosé is a pale pink colour with violet highlights. Lively and fragrant on the nose with fresh red fruits notes of cherries, strawberries, blackcurrants and crushed, dried rose petals. A lively wine with fresh acidity and a balanced finish. Delicious on its own or with a seafood platter.
https://www.elliswines.co.uk/node/2970
La Chita Organic Red 2021
A fresh, unoaked Tempranillo, bright ruby red in colour with a fruit forward nose. The palate is soft and approachable with juicy red fruit notes of raspberry, cherry and plum with a subtle touch of balsamic on the finish. Enjoy with a charcuterie board, lightly grilled meat or hard cheeses.