Tasting wine is “to taste, to taste something to examine its taste or seasoning”. But in the world of wine this word has a much greater meaning: it carries with it a series of procedures or “rituals” in which the senses come into play in an exceptional way in order to discover the aromas, tastes and textures that each wine contains .
On this occasion we will focus mainly on the types of tasting, each with a purpose and a characteristic modus operandi.
Probably the most popular is the blind tasting, in which the participants are unaware of the wine they are going to taste. The bottles are usually covered so that aspects like the vintage, the geographical area or the mark do not affect in the opinion of the taster before trying the wine.
They can start with a previously defined theme (eg type of grape, denomination of origin, add …) or do not provide any information about the wines to be tested (the so-called double-blind tasting).
The blind tastings are characterized mainly by the objectivity and impartiality of the person in charge of judging each wine, without being influenced by the geographical area, the winery in which it is made or its vintage.
On the other hand it is necessary to take into account the horizontal and vertical tastings:
The horizontal tasting is characterized mainly because during its development are tasted wines from different wineries but of the same vintage and denomination of origin. Therefore it is perfect to make an assessment about the producer and the quality of the grape used in the process of making each wine in a given geographical area.
And … the vertical tasting differs from the previous wine tasting during the course of wines from different vintages but from the same winery. In this way we can analyze its evolution over the years.
There is another way to taste a wine not as popular as the aforementioned, the diagonal tasting. In it are enjoyed and valued wines that share the same geographical area but come from different producers and vintages. This tasting procedure can be useful to check the evolution of the wines from a particular region and thus compare them with the rest of the wine regions.
If you are one of those who are still entering the wonderful world of wine there is a type of tasting perfect for you. This is called the double tasting. It is enjoyed by tasting the different wines with the labels discovered. Later the bottles are covered and the process is repeated to try to recognize and value each wine.
As we have observed, there are several ways to carry out a wine tasting, one for each moment, but they all have one element in common: the pleasure of tasting a wine.
“Madrid, Madrid, Madrid…pedazo de la España en que nací.”
The tradition of the wines of Madrid dates back to the thirteenth century and its wine legacy reaches to our days ready to satisfy the most demanding palates of the capital and the rest of the world.
The D. O. Vinos de Madrid was established in 1990 and is the first Denomination of Origin associated with a capital of the world. It has three sub-zones perfectly selected: Arganda del Rey, Navalcarnero and San Martín de Valdeiglesias. These three zones, located in the southern part of the Community of Madrid, differ slightly in the soil used for growing vines and climatology, so that the final characteristics of their wines are different.
But first of all, let’s start with a bit of history …
Once upon a time … the wines of Madrid.
It is believed that their lineage arises from the presence of the Romans in the area, lovers of the vines and, above all, the drink obtained from its fruits. However, it is not known with certainty, until in the thirteenth century the first documents that ensure winemaking appear, in which it was intended to settle an agreement of distribution of a vineyard between monks and their feudal lord.
Already in the fifteenth century was such a production and recognition of this wine that the authorities were forced to establish protectionist measures. During the Golden Age and after the election of Madrid as capital of the kingdom there was an important economic development accompanied by some native wines in the rise.
The cultivation of the grapevine remained in growth despite the general impoverishment and demographic decline that was experienced during the later years. However, this expansion was halted by a plague of phylloxera that affected the vineyards of the area causing havoc in its production.
But the story did not end at this point, much less. After an important effort, the wines of Madrid have managed to recover in recent decades the attractive prestige that backed it in the past. They have been making a dent in important bars and restaurants as well as international exportation.
And is that the wines of Madrid do not leave anyone indifferent … They are cooler than an 8!
Why not dare to try them?
Madrilízate! With Sanz La Capital
See more about Sanz La Capital here
Throughout history, music, wine and gastronomy have been closely related. Even in the case of wine, the relationship is more intense.
From a series of investigations have been obtained amazing results that confirm that the music can be an excellent pairing for the wine. These studies are mainly based on cognitive theory, which explains the nature and development of human intelligence. In this case defends that the music causes different stimuli in certain areas of the brain, which makes it respond in a certain way to the wine and perfect its flavor and final appeal.
But no, it is not worth putting Vivaldi or Raphael in the music player and everything ready … there is a type of music for each type of wine (and vice versa).
According to the results obtained after the tests the best pairings for a drink of Cabernet Sauvignon are the great ones of the Rock like Jimi Hendrix or the Rolling Stones, whereas to appreciate a Merlot in conditions we should accompany it with acoustic music, Soul and R & B.
For those who love the lively melodies like the music Dance or Disco should take advantage to taste a good Chardonnay.
Finally, for the more symphonic, lovers of the melodic emotion that classical music provides, their ideal wine would be good Syrah.
Which melody would be the most appropriate to accompany our fantastic D.O. Rueda?
What kind of music should sound background when it comes to tasting our Madrid wines Sanz La Capital?
Let the show begin!
No one expected much from the appellation of origin, created in 1990, Vinos de Madrid. On the one hand, the name: so attractive, urban, modern … But far from any association in the collective imagination with the wine business. On the other, the city: can a good wine come out of a space with so many people, both car and movement?
Last week was presented a new Madrid red: Sanz The Capital Oak. A strong proposal that aims to sneak into the bars among the popular names: “We propose Wines of Madrid as an alternative to Rioja and Ribera del Duero in bars and restaurants in Madrid,” said Ana Carbajo, commercial director of Vinos Sanz.
Discreetly, the wines from Madrid have become a niche in the menus of interesting places in the capital, such as Manu, an elegant mix of syrah, garnacha and merlot, among others, or the various proposals of the winery Bernabeleva in San Agustín Of Valdeiglesias; Cantocuerdas is one of their labels.
The last presentation of Vinos Sanz collects all that legacy and, in its new campaign, it encourages to drink wine to the shout of Madrilízate! “We would like the Madrid public to identify with their region when it comes to ordering a wine. Also that tourists start to hear that in Madrid wine is also made. ”
To impress on the capital character of their proposals, the labels of their bottles show two scenes very capital: a stamp of the Paseo de la Castellana or one of the gardens of Madrid River. Sanz Capital Oak is described as “a red 100% tempranillo”. With grapes coming from the banks of the Tajuña, in the area of Valdilecha. “Her four-month stump of wood brings balance, maintaining the expressiveness of the red fruit of this grape,” says Sylvia Iglesias, technical director of Vinos Sanz and winemaker author of the wine.
Article: El País
Author: Pablo León
On Wednesday, April 20th, we had the honor of presenting a new member that has joined our family: the new Madrid red wine, Sanz La Capital Roble.
The event was held in a fantastic restaurant castizo as is the Restaurant Viva Madrid, and participated, among others, Ana Carbajo, our Commercial Director; Daniel Orusco, oenologist and Technical Director of Bodegas Orusco; And the president of D.O. Wines of Madrid, Juan Bautista Orusco.
A special mention should also be made of our winemaker, Sylvia Iglesias, creator of the essence of this fantastic wine from the capital.
The tasting and tasting of our Sanz La Capital reds were accompanied at all times by the cuisine of Emilio González and María Iglesias (Viva Madrid) and the artisan products of Lino Moreno (La Rioja).
This proposal is undoubtedly an “alternative to Rioja and Ribera del Duero, in bars and restaurants in Madrid”.
In short, “we would like the Madrid audience to identify with their region when it comes to ordering a wine and to start to hear that Madrid also has wine”
Thank you very much to all! Because it is proven that the best pairing for wine is good company.
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