Spanish Wine Exhibition

The Spanish Wine Tasting Seminar and Exhibition, an annual one-day event, was held in September at the Shangri-La Hotel. Participating wineries from different regions of Spain showcased their wines to invited guests from the F&B trade and media.

35 wineries participated in this year's event. I was looking forward to tasting wines from the Priorat region, but regrettably, there were none. Last year, there was only one Priorat winery (Masia Duch) and the wine from another (Clos Mogador 2002) was presented in the Tasting Seminar. I was impressed by the Bressol Reserva 2000 from Masia Duch. A blend of 80% Garnacha and 20% Cabernet, it has won several medals in both local and international wine competitions. The Clos Magador 2002 is perfumery, with a nose of cherry and other red fruits, blueberry, toast and spice. Its intense mouthfeel could be due to the addition of Cabernet, Shiraz and Carinena (Carignan) to the main varietal Garnacha.

My favourite wine this year is again a classic Rioja - this time from Bodegas Ramirez. I tasted all the 5 wines from this Bodegas: Ramirez Crianza 2004, Ramirez Reserva 2001, Santa Maria Grand Reserva 1998, Ramirez Seleccion Crianza 2003 and Ramirez Seleccion Reserva 2002. The first 3 wines are made in the traditional style whereas the latter two in the modern (read "RP") style. While the Ramirez Seleccion wines exhibit stronger fruit flavours and have a more intense mouthfeel, I prefer the softer, more elegant traditional Riojas. The Ramirez Reserva 2001 impressed with a nose and palate consisting of vanilla, cherries and coffee. There were notes of flowers, red fruits and vanilla on the nose of the Santa Maria 1998. Both of these wines are a pleasure to drink and would match well with wagyu beef and venison.

Bodegas Ramirez is not the only winery who made wines in the modern style. In fact, quite a few other wineries proudly announced that their wines have garnered high points from the venerable RP. These wines tend to be richer, stronger and "sweeter". I can understand the commercial importance of making wines in this style. A high rating often translates to better export sales. Nevertheless, I hope that wineries will continue to make wines in the traditional Rioja style that uniquely reflects their terroir and Spanish identities.

What impressed me most during this year's event is the wine and food pairing during lunch. Each of the dishes, mostly Chinese food and local desserts, is tagged with a coloured sticker. This corresponds to a suggested Spanish wine served at the bar counter. It is a fantastic idea of promoting the wines. After all, most Spanish wines are made to enjoy with food.

I hope that most, if not all, of the participating wineries this year managed to achieve their objectives, be it for networking, to promote awareness of or to find distributors for their wines. It can only be a good thing to see more Spanish wines in our local market.

- M (Wine Educator)