Time To Breathe In Barcelona

Spain makes some fantastic wines and for lovers of big reds, Barcelona's restaurants and wine bars are a great place to lose yourself for a few days.

Older Rioja wines provide a great lesson in the need to let a wine air before enjoying it. Letting a wine breathe or aerating it will open up its flavours and aromas, turning a good wine into a great wine.

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Aerating wine by exposing it to air through methods like decanting or swirling can significantly enhance its flavour and aroma. The process softens tannins, making them more approachable and allowing more complex flavours and aromas to emerge. Aeration also helps release the wine's aromatic compounds, mellow out its overall flavour profile, and dissipate unpleasant odours, such as sulfur scents. Generally, both red and white wines benefit from being allowed to breathe for at least 30 minutes before consumption.

A recent trip to Barcelona brought this home when trying an 18-year-old reserve Rioja. Allowing the wine to sit in the glass for 15 minutes opened up a fabulous depth of flavour and a huge bouquet that elevated it to one of the best wines reviewed this year.

The 200 Monges Reserva Seleccion Especial, 2006, by Bodegas Vinicola Real is a big wine. It offers layers of cherry, plums and oak, all with a smooth, sophisticated finish.

From the first pour, this Rioja introduces itself with a blast of alcohol and tobacco. As it breathes, these initial notes evolve, revealing a deeper, more inviting earthiness that speaks to the wine's quality.
This Rioja is defined on the palate by soft tannins and a structure that offers complex flavours. It opens up with rich stewed berries and hints of wild herbs. Oak influences emerge softly in the background, contributing to a warm, lightly baked finish that lingers with satisfying balance and length.

It's a Rioja that rewards patience, offering a drinking experience that evolves beautifully over time. Ideal for pairing with red meat and hearty stews, this wine is a testament to the art of winemaking in the Rioja region, combining traditional techniques with a distinct, modern edge.

Available online from £60 a bottle.

NerinTerra 2019, Belondrade.

Along with Rioja DOCa, Priorat is one of only two wine districts in Spain to be classified as a DOCa, the highest designation possible for a wine region under Spanish wine rules.

While both Priorat and Rioja produce some of Spain's finest wines, they offer distinctly different experiences. Priorat wines are typically more powerful, intense, and mineral-driven, reflecting the rugged region.

Winemaker Jean Belondrade spent five years revitalising an abandoned vineyard on the hills of Priorat. The Garnacha and Carinena vines, along with the region's diverse soils, create a memorable wine.

NerinTerra is an excellent example of the bold and powerful wines of the Priorat region. The wine gives cherry and liquorice on the nose. On the palate, it offers layers of berries and chocolate. Its silky smooth texture leads to a long, mineral-driven finish.

The NerinTerra is very moreish. This wine invites you to return to it, each sip revealing more of its refined structure. It’s a compelling example of the Priorat region.

Available online from £30 a bottle.

Our wine enthusiast Nathan lives in Leeds and runs the PR and marketing company Campfire PR.
https://campfirepr.com/