Bodegas Resalte De Penafiel Rioja Reserva 2004 750ml

Winery: Bodegas Resalte De Penafiel

Varietal: Tempranillo

The Tempranillo grape varietal is often referred to as Spain's 'noble grape', and has over the past century been planted in several countries around the world. Tempranillo grapes produce beautiful ruby red wines, packed full of fascinating flavors which range from intensely fruity, to deep, dark and spicy, holding notes of vanilla, tobacco and leather. Their black skins hold plenty of tannins, and as such, they are often blended with other more rounded or brighter wines, to balance out the character and produce some truly exceptional examples. Tempranillo grapes often fall to a wide range of diseases, and are greatly effected by climatic conditions. They tend to grow best, however, in areas with a mixture of heat and bright sunshine, and brisk breezes which can cool the vines.

Region: Castilla Y Leon

From the beautifully robust, boisterous and spicy red Tempranillo wines of the west, to the fruity, aromatic white Verdejo wines from the Rueda, Castilla y Leon is a Spanish wine region with something to please everyone. The region itself is a particularly fascinating one for European wine fans, as it dates back several centuries and is, in many ways, the defining region of Spain for the country's viticultural identity. Dry, arid soils and baking heat produce wines of a unique character, coming from grapes which have to struggle to attain the moisture they require in order to ripen. The flavors of Castilla y Leon are big, bold and seductive, and packed full of all the passion and history only a country like Spain can provide.

Country: Spain

Spanish wines are renowned world-wide for carrying all the passion and character of the Spanish culture within them. Any lover of Spanish wine would undoubtedly be able to confirm this notion, as the variety and range of flavors and aromas coming from the high end of Spanish produce is truly impressive, and continues to delight and fascinate both newcomers and the more experienced. Spain benefits massively from an ideal climate for wine production and vine cultivation, with its long, scorching hot summers and far reaching oceanic breezes working perfectly with the native and imported grape varietals, which thrive on the mineral rich soils that cover much of the country. With centuries of knowledge, and generations of expertise under their belts, Spanish wineries continue to focus on raising the quality of their nation's wines, helped along the way by relatively new laws and regulations regarding regional excellence and representativeness.