October 04, 2024 - 0 comments
Over 200 Spanish natural wine producers now listed on Raisin!
Spain: The 3rd largest wine producer in the world after Italy and France.
The wine industry is an integral part of the Spanish economy and culture, the country being the world's 3rd largest producer after Italy and France in terms of volume (hectoliters). However, for economic security, thousands of winegrowers choose to sell their grapes and wines to cooperatives and companies that produce bottles by the millions. As a result, only a minority of winegrowers make, bottle and market their own wine under their own name. But trends are changing! In Spain, we're witnessing the development of micro-bodegas, small independent wineries and cellars that are vectors of innovation in their regions, helping to preserve winegrowing traditions and rediscover forgotten grape varieties.
Micro-bodega winemakers
Micro-bodega winemakers are distinguished by their approach to viticulture, which departs from conventional viticulture. Their estates often extend over small plots of just a few hectares, enabling them to carefully monitor the growth of the vines. In these micro-bodegas, the vines are cultivated and harvested by hand, without the use of chemical fertilizers. This movement is accompanied by minimal intervention in the winery, the aim being to produce wines in the same way as they were made in the past before the chemical farming revolution. These small structures encourage experimentation and the rediscovery of indigenous Spanish grape varieties that have been more or less neglected. Veritable centers of viticultural innovation, micro-bodegas are helping to revitalize Spanish viticulture by celebrating craftsmanship and diversity.
Indigenous grape varieties shape the identity of Spanish natural wines
Raisin now recommends over 200 Spanish natural wine producers, and it's time to share some of our discoveries about the grape varieties that shape the Iberian identity!
Alarje:
Alarije is a typical grape variety from the Extremadura region in southwestern Spain. This white grape reaches very high sugar and alcohol levels when fully ripe, which is ideal because in the canton of Las Villuercas, where winemaker Felipe Cerro Audije lives, strong, alcoholic wines are in high demand. Felipe Cerro Audije continues the family tradition of growing this grape, just like his grandfather did. One advantage of this grape variety is that it thrives in the region's climate, which is hot and dry in the summer, and cold and wet in the winter, and it is resistant to local diseases. Their approach focuses on promoting and showcasing the unique grape varieties of their local terroir.
Caiño Tinto:
Hundreds of kilometers away, Caiño Tinto, a red grape from Galicia, flourishes in its own special environment, thanks to its ability to adapt to cold weather and granite soils. Constantina Sotelo, a winemaker from the same region, has chosen to work with this grape variety to celebrate and continue the local wine growing tradition. Vinification takes place in her “micro-cellar”, just a few square meters in size, without any intervention.
Xare-lo:
Originating in the sunny vineyards of Catalonia, Xare-lo is a white grape variety still widely grown there. Although it is also used to produce still wines, Xare-lo is an essential grape variety for sparkling wines, especially Spain's famous Cava. Drought-resistant, Xare-lo produces wines that are moderate in alcohol, with lively acidity and citrus aromas such as grapefruit and lime. Lambert Perera Cortés, a winemaker based in Catalonia, has a special bond with this grape variety, since he grows Xare-lo vines that are 65 years old!
Want to give it a try? Check out the 200 Spanish natural winemakers listed on Raisin!
