Must-try organic red wines from Spain

Today we visited Spain to learn about their organic red wines with Super Wine Girl, Angela Aiello.

Spain is one of Europe’s most mountainous countries with one million hectares of vineyards. It has hot days and cool nights which gives freshness and elegance to the wines that come out of the country.

The country has the biggest surface of organic vineyards than anywhere in the world, making it a world leader in organic viticulture, with hot arid temperatures that lends itself well to organic farming.

Murica is in the South East of Spain. It’s dry climate is perfect for organic viticulture. Its Indigenous grapes are Garnacha and Monastrell. They are 30-40-year-old vines that have a smaller amount of fruit and a greater flavour concentration.

They are planted on wild bush vines that are hand tended at 700-900 metres. The grape’s skins are thin which is perfect for blends and softer style wines.

Monastrell is the country’s most planted grape. Spain can claim two thirds of the world’s total plantings of Monastrell. 80 per cent of Monastrell is planted in Murica.

Aiello recommends Honoro Vera Organic Red Wine. It contains no herbicides or pesticides. It is aged two months in oak barrels and stainless steel. It has an aroma of ripe fruit and flowers. It is complex with flavours of black fruit, plum, savoury and spicy, lavender, rosemary or thyme, earthy and full bodied.

This wine pairs well with grilled game meats, pork and beef. It is available for $11 at LCBO.