VALDEHERMOSO 2015, BODEGAS VALDERIZ
Available from La Lluna Gourmet, Moraira 6·50€
It’s difficult to go wrong when recommending a red wine from DO Ribera del Duero!
Although a relative ‘New Kid on the Block’ regarding its status as an officially recognised area of Spanish wine production (it was only elevated to DO status as late as 1982, compared to its arch-rival DOCa Rioja which achieved this in the 1920s!) it seems to have been around for a long time! Plus, year on year its sales increase as consumers feel that they can rely on their consistently good wines
Like Rioja, it majors in Tempranillo, though they often prefer to call it by their name, Tinta Fina, in this case, (or Tinto del Pais), though it is the same variety. The grapes that made this wine were specially selected from older, traditional ‘bush’ vines which have adapted to the soils of the vineyard and its unique microclimate over the years.
I like the wine’s presentation too. Not for any aesthetic reason, it’s not at the forefront of modern label design, after all, but I approve of it because the ‘hi vis’ 2015 emblazoned in an attractive purple (tones of which are also reflected in the colour of the wine) is a part of the bodega’s philosophy. They want consumers to know that this is the 2015 vintage, and like all wine, it has a shelf life. If you saw this wine in a supermarket in 2020+ you’d be buying something that is past it!
Bodegas y Viñedos Valderiz wants you to enjoy this wine whilst it’s at its best and they don’t want any uncaring, wine-ignorant supermarket manager trying to flog it when it’s too old! That’s why it’s always best to buy your wines from a wine shop, like Moraira’s La Lluna Gourmet!
Good blackberry fruit with a little tannic backbone, good for just drinking, but will also be lovely with meat dishes from Chicken through to not-too-rich casseroles – in fact why not splash a little into the pot?! Serve @ room temperature, open an hour before drinking.
Enjoy!
Colin Harkness
International & National Wine Judge, Writer, Broadcaster & Critic
