October 8, 2019
Food & Wine, Wine Info Alternative Grapes, Alternative Wine, Bierzo, Facts, Galway, Graciano, Mencía, Metrida, October, Red Wine, Ribera Del Duero, Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Reserva, Spain, Tempranillo, Things to do, Verdejo, White Wine, Wine, Wine education, Wine Info, Wine Tasting, Wine Tastings, Wines, Wines of Spain Leave a comment
Join us for Spanish wine tasting on Friday October 18th between 5pm and 7pm. Come and sample some great Rioja wine and their new competitors from Ribera del Duero, Jumilla and more as we travel along our very own wine road. We will be introducing some new
Entrance tickets are €5, which includes a €5 voucher redeemable against any wines purchased that weekend*. Tickets can be gotten here
*Voucher Valid until 20th October.
August 26, 2019
Education, Misc, Wine Info Albarino, Australia, Australian Wine, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, France, French Wine, Galway, Germany, Grenache, Italy, Mourvedre, Nelson, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Riesling, Rioja, Rosé, Shiraz, South Australia, Spain, Syrah, Tasting, Tempranillo, Things to do, Week 1, White Wine, Wine, wine course, Wine education, Wine Galway, Wine School, Wines Leave a comment
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 2nd of October. The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
The next course, will begin at 7.30 on Tuesday September 24th, and will run every Tuesday until Tuesday 29th of October.
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
January 9, 2019
Food & Wine, Wine Info Galway, Garnacha, Garnaxta, Grenache, Limited Edition, Red Wine, Rioja, Spain, Spanish Wine, Special Selection, Wine, Wines of Spain Leave a comment
De Haan/Altes El Covertido Rioja 2015
“We love Garnacha,no matter where is comes from and Rioja is a great exponent of this variety.What is less common however, is to find Garnacha in the cooler, western parts of the D.O.The grapes for this wine were sourced from a vineyard near the village of Canilla de Riotuerto.Planted in 1980, these bush vines produce lower yields than the tempranillo vines, around 2 kg per vine”, Rafael De Haan.
Manually harvested using small boxes of 12-15 kg. The grapes passed along a selection table to remove all berries that were not healthy or properly ripe.
Stems were removed and the grapes lightly crushed, after which they were placed in small stainless steel tanks of 40 Hl. Pre-fermentation maceration was carried out in the cold for 72 hours. Alcoholic fermentation occurred spontaneously between 24-28° C for 9-12 days. Malolactic fermentation in barrel. Then aged 17 months in new French oak barrels, during which 4 rackings were carried out.
The 2015 El Covertido pours a bright crimson colour, this wine is very expressive with notes of red fruits and minerals that leap from the glass. Plenty of fruit on the palate, a touch of complexity and sweet tannins mingle with the spicy oak nuances. This is a Rioja like no other as it has zero Tempranillo.
Normally €24.95 but currently on Promotion at €19.96
January 2, 2019
Education, Misc, Wine Info Albarino, Australia, Australian Wine, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, France, French Wine, Galway, Germany, Grenache, Italy, Mourvedre, Nelson, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Riesling, Rioja, Rosé, Shiraz, South Australia, Spain, Syrah, Tasting, Tempranillo, Things to do, Week 1, White Wine, Wine, wine course, Wine education, Wine Galway, Wine School, Wines Leave a comment
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 5th of February . The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
August 27, 2018
Education, Misc, Wine Info Albarino, Australia, Australian Wine, Austria, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, France, French Wine, Galway, Germany, Grenache, Italy, Mourvedre, Nelson, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Portugal, Red Wine, Riesling, Rioja, Rosé, Shiraz, South Australia, Spain, Syrah, Tasting, Tempranillo, Things to do, Week 1, White Wine, Wine, wine course, Wine education, Wine Galway, Wine School, Wines Leave a comment
This course runs for 6 weeks, one evening per week, starting on Tuesday 2nd of October. The Wine Appreciation Course will give a comprehensive overview of the wines of the world. The various styles, vintages and the relationship of food and wine will all be covered. Each evening we will sample a selection of wines, notes will be provide. (Should you wish detail information that can be provide also) Each Class begins promptly at 7.30 pm and will run for one hour and half.
Introducing the various styles, grapes and wine philosophies of the leading wine producing country in the world. It starts from basics and it covers France’s principal wine regions and grapes.
A country that is emerging from a bit of an identity crisis, now looking to produce regionally distinct wines. We reckon Australia has never made better wines. Come and sample Clare Riesling, Orange Pinot and Mudgee Shiraz among others.
Much like Australia these countries that boomed for one style of wine and are now looking to attract people with their regionally distinct styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, Malbec, Carmenere, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling.
Fairly new entrants to the Irish market Portugal and Austria are fast become a customer favourites with its fruit driven stylish reds and crisp refreshing whites. We will also take in a selection of German wines.
Spain the trendiest wine country at the minute. This course will acquaint you with Rioja, Rueda and Rias Baixas along with Tempranillo, Albarino and Garnacha.
This will introduce you to some of the major wine regions of Italy, a country that we could focus a whole six week course on and only cover one region. Areas covered will be Piedmont, Valpolicella and Tuscany.
Places can be booked by emailing tadhg@woodberrys.ie or alternatively by calling 091-533706.
The course is sold as a complete 6 week course with full payment of €160 required to secure a place.
July 31, 2018
Education, Misc, Wine Info Bodegas Ostatu, Gomez Cruzado, Red Wine, Reserva, Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta, Rioja Baja, Rioja Oriental, Rioja Reserva, Spain, Spanish Wine, Tempranillo, Wines of Spain Leave a comment
This month we have two stunning Rioja Reservas on offer. We’re calling it a Rioja Shoot out as both wines represent not only different sub zones of Rioja, Alta and Alavesa but also modern vs more classical styles of wine making.
Rioja has 3 sub-zones, Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental ( Previously Rioja Baja),each one enjoys a diversity of soils, terroirs and micro-climates, each making wines of unique personality and character.
Rioja Alta: Located on the western side of Rioja, this sub-zone has an Atlantic climate and its soils are mostly clay mixed with limestone. Due to the sub-zone’s varying elevations, the wines produced here can have great structure and high acidity.
Rioja Alavesa: The smallest of the sub-zones, it also experiences an Atlantic climate. In fact, it is coolest of the three. The soils are predominantly clay and are situated in terraces. The wines from this region tend to be lighter-bodied.
Rioja Oriental: This eastern sub-zone is much warmer, drier climate due to the Mediterranean influence and its lower elevation. This area, composed mainly of alluvial soils, produces wines with high extract and alcohol, lower in acidity.
Both Rioja Alta and Alavesa are considered the higher quality areas. Most wines are produced mainly from the local Tempranillo grape although blends and even wines with no Tempranillo are allowed by the DO. For our purposes here comparing the 
Reservas here’s a brief refresher on what makes a Reserva.
Reserva: Wines from the best vintages, have to be aged for a minimum of 3 years and at least one year in oak barrels.
And now the wines:
Ostatu Rioja Reserva 2011, Rioja Alavesa
Intense and clear aroma, red fruits with outstanding expressive notes on a creamy wooden background, spicy nuances and mineral touch. Tasty, fleshy, with excellent weight of fruit, firm and sweet tannins, fine toasty notes with a great structure. From 50 year Tempranillo Vines and aged for 16 months in New French oak barrels.
Gomez Cruzado Rioja Reserva 2010, Rioja Alta
30-year-old bush vine Tempranillo was hand harvested into small baskets, where the grapes undergo a three-day cold soak. The grapes were fermented in cone-shaped stainless steel vats. The juice is the racked to half French and half American barriques, of which 50% is new wood, where is ages for 18 months. The wine is blended to tank prior to bottling and laid to rest in the cold cellars for 2 years prior to release. Clean and shiny, dark red cherry colored. Very expressive nose, with the tertiary aromas of the aging displaying vanilla, cocoa and orange peel, and those of the variety, showing dark and candied fruit. In the mouth it’s rounded, fresh, with a fine acidity, silky tannins and fruit driven aftertaste. It clearly shows the character of a classical Reserva from “Barrio de la Estación.”
April 6, 2016
Education, Wine Info #SpanishWineWeek, Bierzo, Jumilla, Ribera Del Duero, Rioja, Rueda, Spain, Spannish Wine, Terra Alta, Toro Leave a comment
Somehow, Spain seems to fly under the radar compared to its next door neighbour, France. Spain is actually the third largest wine producer in the world and has the most land dedicated to vineyards–over a million acres. Spanish wines range from great values to highly prestigious wines, such as Vega Silicia’s Unico.
Galicia, very unlike the rest of Spain, is where lush green valleys are plentiful and the common cuisine includes lots of fresh fish. Albariño is the champion grape of the sub-region called Rias Baixas (RYE-us BYE-shus), which skirts the coast. The area specializes in zesty white wines and a few aromatic red wines made with Mencia in the Bierzo & Monterrei Region which is also famous for the whites of Godello and Treixadura.
The coast is a very diverse macro-region that contains the sub-regions of Valencia, Catalonia and Murcia. Catalonia is known for Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) and a highly acclaimed red wine sub-zone, Priorat based on Garnacha but also the up and coming Terra Alta Region. Valencia and Murcia are warmer growing regions that produce a bulk of value wines from deep red Monastrell especially in the Jumilla Region.
The sub regions of La Rioja and Navarra are found in the Ebro River Valley. Here, Tempranillo is king. Rioja produces some of the most age worthy wines. Navarra produces a large volume of rosado (rosé) wine of Garnacha. Rioja aging explained: Joven – a young wine with no oak aging; Crianza – A minimum of one year in casks and a few months in the bottle. For white wines, the minimum cask aging period is 6 months.; Reserva – aged for a minimum of 3 years, with at least one year in casks. ; Gran Reserva – Selected wines from exceptional vintages which have spent at least 2 years in oak casks and 3 years in the bottle.
The Duero River is the same river as the Douro in Portugal. This region is notable for the rich white Verdejo of Rueda and the red wines of Toro, Ribera del Duero and Leon. The wine grape of Toro, called Tinta de Toro, and Ribera del Duero called Tinto País or Tinto Fino are local synonyms for Tempranillo.
Central Plateau
Because of its climate characteristics, vines are spaced very far apart and close to the ground. Some of the best value red wines made of Monastrell, Syrah, Tempranillo and Garnacha come from this area. And some serious contenders from districts such as Mentrida based on Graciano & Cencibel (Tempranillo).
April 4, 2016
Education, Food & Wine #SpanishWineWeek, Albarino, Bierzo, Galway, Garnaxta, Jumilla, Mencía, Monastrell, Ribera, Ribera Del Duero, Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Rioja Alta Leave a comment
February 7, 2015
Education, Misc, Wine Info Foodie Forum, GMIT, Jumilla, Mencía, Metrida, Monastrell, Ribera Del Duero, Ribera Sacra, Rioja, Spanish Wine, Tempranillo, Terra Alta Leave a comment
Last Tuesday we were delighted to be invited to give a presentation at The Foodie Forum 2015 in GMIT. The Foodie Forum is an interactive one day experience that showcases the abundance and variety of food on offer in Ireland and in particular along the West Coast. The day includes a series of Master classes with leading chefs and food & wine workshops, which we were privileged to be part of. We had lined up a tasting of Spanish wines and you can download our presentation here.
January 5, 2015
New Arrivals Rioja, Rioja Alavesa, Spain, Spanish Wine Leave a comment
Some of you may have noticed in the crazy Christmas rush that some new wines and wineries have graced our shelves. On new winery is Bodegas Ostatu from Rioja.
Bodegas Ostatu is a family winery located in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa region in the town of Samaniego. The Saenz de Samaniego family has been in the area for many generations. The winery dates back over two hundred and fifty years. The vineyards, which are protected by the Sierra de Cantabria range, are composed of chalk and clay and the average age of the vines is 50 years. The estate is comprised of over forty hectares of vines located in and around the town of Samaniego. The poor soils and the unique location at the foot of this mountain range together create a special micro climate that is very favourable to the Tempranillo grape.
Until recently all the wine was made in the carbonic maceration process and intended for early consumption. This philosophy changed when Hubert de Bouard de Laforest of Chateau Angelus saw the vineyard sites of the family and expressed an interest in collaborating on a special project. He realized that the age of the vines, combined with the unique orientation of the vineyards, could produce drastically different wines that could compete on the world stage. By changing from carbonic maceration to traditional fermentation and by reducing yields in the vineyards, Ostatu became able to produce wines which live up to their full potential.
Iñigo Saenz de Samaniego, the youngest of six brothers and sisters, is now at the helm of the wine-making. Building on the innovations of the joint project with the French, Iñigo is continuing to seek elegance through the modernization of the family’s wines.
Ostatu Rioja Crianza 2012
A crianza with body and character that is made from 90% Tempranillo, 10% Graciano, Mazuelo and Garnacha grapes which came from 30 years old vineyards. A new way to understand the crianza wines. Bright purple. Vibrant aromas and flavours of black raspberry, spicecake and flowers. Sweet and seamless on the palate, with a sexy, perfumed quality to its raspberry preserve, cherry-vanilla and floral flavours. Finishes sappy and long, with fine-grained tannins adding shape and grip.
Ostatu Rioja Reserva 2008
This wine is made from 100% Tempranillo grapes which came from vineyards over 50 years old. A perfect balance of variety and its evolution, resulting in an elegant and fleshy wine where the tempranillo’s fruit is the star. Dark purple. Heady, oak spice- and floral-accented aromas of black and blue fruits, cigar box and cola. Seductively sweet and expansive, offering powerful blueberry, cassis and vanilla flavours that show liqueur-like intensity and depth. Seamless in texture, with smooth tannins adding shape to the clinging finish.
Ostatu Seleccion Rioja 2010
95% Tempranillo and 5% Graciano grapes came from selected vineyards over 50 years old: Valpardillo, Ruancho and La Laguna. After 14 months ageing and other 20 refining in a bottle, we can find a wine with an innovative style and daring in its time. Saturated ruby. Sexy, oak-spiced aromas of cherry-cola and raspberry with suggestions of licorice and darkchocolate adding depth. Rich and broad for the vintage, offering sweet dark fruit flavors and a suave touch of candied Finishes smooth and smoky, with impressive vibrancy and a lingering floral note.
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