Hacienda Zorita’s Unamuno Vineyard
Far off of the tourist path, in the heart of the largest Natural Preserve in Europe we find an amazing wine experience.
We travel for so many reasons. To see, to experience, to learn, to have fun. For the wine traveler you can add; to discover. To discover for both the soul and the palate.
During my summers as a kid on the Portuguese side of the Duero River (Douro in Portuguese) I would look at the landscape of rolling hills and steep canyons, of Olive and Almond trees, of Cork Oaks and Vineyards, and stare across the border to Spain.
The Duero River in our region forms the border between Portugal and Spain. Our house in Portugal, on the edge of a tiny village just four-ish kilometers from the Duero River gorge, allows for one of the best views on the planet. The view imparts the feeling that you are looking at the Earth, as you would look at another intriguing person while at a café.
The view is an experience by itself! Yet one of the things that you can see from our small backyard, on the Spanish horizon ten miles away, is the tower of Hacienda Zorita’s Unamuno Vineyard and Estate.
Both sides of the border here form one of the largest Natural Park Reserves in Europe. Called Arribes del Duero Natural Park in Spain and the Douro International Natural Park in Portugal, it was formed in 2002 to protect several UNESCO recognized natural spaces and several endangered species. It is expansive, encompassing roughly 410 square miles.
The Arribes del Duero area is not “known” for wine, even though quality grapes have been growing in this part of Spain for thousands of years. The reason for this area not being well known by the modern wine word is very low yield and production. The Hacienda also does not export, and does not ship outside of the Iberian Peninsula and France. Because of this you are not going to find wines from here next to your favorite Rioja. The other surprise at this Estate; superb Syrah!
Yet if you venture to this far edge of Spain you are going to discover what all wine travelers want: an experience! That experience includes exceptional wines in an amazing landscape, and ZERO tourists. Eureka!
A year ago I wrote about Hacienda Zorita’s other, main location; their Luxury Hotel and Wine Estate located about 65 miles to the east (15 miles to the west of Salamanca). It is an exceptional place, full of amazing history (King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella hired Christopher Columbus in the current wine tasting room!!!) and you can find all of their wines in the hotel wine shop and stop there.
But if you pride your travels on discovery and true Immersion of the palate, you are going to want to journey into the Arribes del Duero, to Hacienda Zorita’s Unamuno Vineyard Estate, and get the full experience for yourself!
Is it surprising that something different can surprise you? East Hill Bottom Shop 25 Jan
Sometimes a Wine of Note can surprise you.
Why do some people come into an event with such “convictions?” We touched on this idea a little last week with “bold” wine statements. Well the answer is that we all come from different starting points. It is not that we are all different, because we are not. We all have differences, but that does not mean that we are different. Deep thoughts, I know, I will let that sink in for a moment.Different perspectives can lead to discovering genius, unless we have stopped looking. So often I hear; “Well I can’t believe that I liked that wine, I don’t usually like….” Fill in the blank with any number of wines. Those people have stopped looking, they have assumed that they have had any and all possible variations of that wine. My response is that there are wines out there that haven’t even been thought of yet, near infinite variations of the wine that you “hate.” I guarantee that you will love one of those variations.Well we had such a wine this evening. Avancia Cuvée de O Godello 2019, from Galicia Spain. It was different, with hints of nectarine, apple, and pear that coated your tongue, yet with a refreshing finish. 100% Godello grape, not a variety that we see often, from a region that isn’t one of the famous wine regions of Spain. Unique, it pleasantly surprised many of the tasters, and overall good. Why should we not expect this Wine of Note to do anything less, unless we have stopped admiring those perspectives?
Aragon's 7 July Tasting with Michael Fix from Winebow
Aragon hosted Michael Fix, one of the best wine minds on the Gulf Coast, from Winebow for an evening of Spanish wines, and his selection does not disappoint.
Tonight's Wine of Note hails from the Priorat DOC wine region of Spain. 2020 Black Slate is an easy drinking red blend of Grenache, Syrah, and Carignan. This 2020 wine does get our "Y" disclaimer; it is young. For a Wine of Note to get "Y" it must be drink-able now but also exhibit all of the good characteristics to age well. Therefore Black Slate would go great tonight with a nice steak, but would be even better in two to four, maybe even six years. If you have any questions on tonight's wine, or any good wine recommendations, be sure to go by Aragon and speak with Pepper who will ensure that you head out with a great bottle of wine.