Spanish Vines Come to California
Tracy Wallace
November 19, 2008
In the 1980s Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon and Bob Linquest of Qupe led a movement in California making Rhone Valley grape varietals (Syrah, Mourvedre, and Grenache) popular. The group became known as the Rhone Rangers. Today there is a new movement which is becoming popular, the influx of Spanish varietals.
Today, California Rhone varietals are out and Spain is in. The planting of Tempranillo and Albarino has almost doubled and an increase in plantings of Mataro, Garnacha, Carinena and Palimino in California and Oregon is on the rise.
To help foster the trend TAPAS (the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society) was founded in 2005 with just eight members. Now the organization has over seventy members through California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. And surprise, surprise Bonny Doon Vineyards was one of the first members. The groups president Earl Jones of Abacela Vineyard and Winery in Roseberg, Oregon states that the boom is due to better performing Spanish vine clones along with the popularity of Spanish food and culture in the US.
A partnership has been formed between Spanish enologist Jesus Yuste and FPS (Foundation Plant Services) a chief vine contractor for UC Davis. In
early 2000 Yuste started off by sending several well-performing Tempranillo clones to UC Davis; which were then sent to vineyards in Yakima and Santa Ynez. Soon to follow were other interesting Spanish varieties like Xarel-lo, Loureira, Graciano, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao and Touriga Nacional.
Getting your hands on Spanish varietal wines grown in the states is easier than you think. Next time you are in your favorite wine shop make sure you check out the wines produced by Clos du Bois, Bonny Doon and Truchard Vineyards. If you enjoy Iberian varietals direct from their native source you may find that their U.S. counterparts are fruitier and more pronounced in flavor. The contrasts in flavors between the two countries is a fun exercise for the palate.
Email your wine related questions to Tracy at sandiegowinelady@yahoo.com. The most interesting questions may be posted here.l
Today, California Rhone varietals are out and Spain is in. The planting of Tempranillo and Albarino has almost doubled and an increase in plantings of Mataro, Garnacha, Carinena and Palimino in California and Oregon is on the rise.
To help foster the trend TAPAS (the Tempranillo Advocates, Producers and Amigos Society) was founded in 2005 with just eight members. Now the organization has over seventy members through California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. And surprise, surprise Bonny Doon Vineyards was one of the first members. The groups president Earl Jones of Abacela Vineyard and Winery in Roseberg, Oregon states that the boom is due to better performing Spanish vine clones along with the popularity of Spanish food and culture in the US.
A partnership has been formed between Spanish enologist Jesus Yuste and FPS (Foundation Plant Services) a chief vine contractor for UC Davis. In
early 2000 Yuste started off by sending several well-performing Tempranillo clones to UC Davis; which were then sent to vineyards in Yakima and Santa Ynez. Soon to follow were other interesting Spanish varieties like Xarel-lo, Loureira, Graciano, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cao and Touriga Nacional.
Getting your hands on Spanish varietal wines grown in the states is easier than you think. Next time you are in your favorite wine shop make sure you check out the wines produced by Clos du Bois, Bonny Doon and Truchard Vineyards. If you enjoy Iberian varietals direct from their native source you may find that their U.S. counterparts are fruitier and more pronounced in flavor. The contrasts in flavors between the two countries is a fun exercise for the palate.
Email your wine related questions to Tracy at sandiegowinelady@yahoo.com. The most interesting questions may be posted here.l