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In common with most other wine-producing countries, Spain grows foreign grapes in the sense that they are not indigenous to the country. These are varieties such as the reds: cabernet sauvignon, syrah, merlot and the whites, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay. These varieties, which are grown worldwide, have met with varying success in Spain. It must be remembered that the wine produced from a particular grape variety will vary considerably according to climate and geological conditions. So, a chardonnay from Chablis which is in the cool climate of northern France will produce a very dry almost steely wine. While the same grape will produce a more aromatic wine in the relatively hot climate of Spain.
There are many good examples of single varietal wines made from these foreign grapes. However, the one variety that seems to thrive in Spain producing excellent wines is the little known petit verdot. This grape comes from Bordeaux where it is used in making the best Medoc wines. Although not common in Spain it invariably produces wines that make you notice - as indeed will the price. As always in Spain, relative to a bottle of good Medoc the price/quality relationship of petit verdot wines is exceptional. Names to look out for are Casa de la Ermita, Dominio de Valdepusa and Arrayan. The last mentioned provides particularly good value for money.
Foreign varietals seem especially successful in blends with local varieties. A good example of this is in Priorato where nearly all of these fashionable wines are blends of foreign and local varieties. Take, for example, Finca Dolfi 2002 Crianza, the second wine of Alvaro Palacios which is a mixture of 55% garnacha, 45% cabernet sauvignon, syrah and merlot.
Generally, foreign red grape varieties are more successful than white ones with the exception of sauvignon blanc. Overall, they provide good support to local varieties and Spain has a real wealth of indigenous grapes suited to local conditions. So when in Spain- ABC- Anything But Cabernet/Chardonnay.
This Article on Sweet Spanish Wine was written by Steve Bannell of Alegria Wines. Telephone 0034 626 469 154
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