I was sent a couple of natural Spanish reds today by Indigo Wine, an enterprising importer which brings in a number of organic and biodynamic wines. Both were good but interestingly, in the case of the first, the newly released Clos Lojen 2010 from Bodegas Ponce, not immediately appealing. When we opened it it was really quite hot and rubbery (it's 13.5%) and didn't improve that much on decanting. But once it had been open half an hour or so it began to resemble the fresh, Beaujolais-ish style that the Indigo tasting notes had identified. I just wonder if it had been bottled a shade too early - or simply that I hadn't given it enough time to recover from its journey.
The second - Les Paradetes 2006 from Escoda-Sanahuja in Conca de Barbera was an instant hit with us both. A blend of grenache, carinena and sumoli it was full of generous, ripe fruit - and is apparently listed by El Bulli. It also has the sulphur content - 14mg per litre total - on the label which is great (and if they can do it why can't everyone else?) But the most curious thing was what a huge variation there was in the retail price: £16.44 at an outfit called Vinissimus, £19.95 at Vagabond and a hefty £22 at a shop called Bottle Apostle. How can there be such a discrepancy? Shows it's well worthwhile Googling a wine before you order it.
Good point about the ingredients on the label. I also don't see why wine producers are exempt from listing the ingredients on their products, just like all other producers of food and drinks.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to find out why this the case, but have had no time! Anyone have any ideas/clues?
" Spanish songs in Andalucia
ReplyDeleteThe shooting sites in the days of '39
Oh, please, leave the vendetta open
Fredrico Lorca is dead and gone
Bullet holes in the cemetery walls
The black cars of the Guardia Civil
Spanish bombs on the Costa Rica
I'm flying in on a DC 10 tonight ..."
Love the Clash
Love Spain
Love good wine
Love Life
"Train spotting" 's authors might disagree, but still. Me gusta los vinos de Espana!
Hi Fiona,
ReplyDeleteIndigo Olly here... for confirmation purposes: Clos Lojen is very recently bottled and shipped so any slightly wrong aromas should disappear very soon! In terms of the Les Paradetes, the sulphur content on the label actually refers to that which is produced during fermentation as the wine is actually completely unsulphured, like all of Joan Ramon's wines. Glad you liked them though...