Members and Guests enjoying pre dinner drinks
President John Sloggie welcomed 50 members and guests to the first tasting after the summer break held at Restaurante La Senia. He introduced Joan Morell the owner of Bodega Vinyes del Terrer and his son Eduard who presented the wines from their bodega.
Vinyes del Terrer is a vineyard of 7 hectares 20 metres above sea level located in the municipality of Vila-seca south of Tarragona some 2kms from the sea. It was established in 1989 and started with a production of 3,000 bottles a year and now produces 65,000. The vineyard has a stable climate of 15ºC on average throughout the year, regulated by sea breezes. These conditions combine perfectly with the distinctive volcanic soil structure that allows good drainage, producing high quality grapes.
We tasted five wines, two white and three red. The cost of each wine and scores awarded by members can be found by clicking on “Wines tasted in 2017” .
Eduard introducing the wines
The first wine was Blanc del Terrer 2016 a 100% Macabeo. The grapes are handpicked and further selection of quality grapes is done on the selection table. The wine undergoes cold maceration and is aged for six months on the lees in stainless steel tanks. It has a lot of mouth, tasting of herbs and citric fruit and has a salty character. It has an Alcohol By Volume (ABV) of 13%
The second wine was Nus del Terrer Blanc 2015, produced from Sauvignon Blanc vines planted 12 years ago on a 1 hectare plot. The wine is fermeted in stainless steel tanks and in amphorae, after that is is aged in barrels and amphorae during 10 months. It is not a typical white wine and owes more to the volcanic soil than the ageing. It is complex in the mouth and has an ABV of 13%
The first red, Nus del Terrer Red 2011, is a blend of 80% Garancha and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes again are strictly selected both in the picking and also on the selection table to guarantee an excellent quality. Fermentation is in French oak barrels of 5000 litres for about 20 days. The ageing is 14 months also in French oak. It has the character of a fruity Mediterranean wine and minerality in the mouth. It is a wine that will last a number of years with an ABV of 14%
Terrer d’Aubert 2013 was the next wine tasted which is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (80%)
Paul proposing the Vote of Thanks
and Garnacha (20%) and is aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels (15% new barrels and 85% old barrels), in order to obtain a balanced and structured wine. It has fresh, complex and well-balanced aromas. On the palate, it is tasty and fleshy. Its long finish reminds us of blackberry jam and coffee. It has an ABV of 14%
Finally we tasted Terrenal d’Aubert 2015 a sweet red wine which is a blend of Garnacha (80%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), It is the son of the Nus del Terrer, however the grapes have been left of further four weeks on the vine, It is macerated for 40 days in 600 litre barrels and then aged for 12 months in barrel The cuvée radiates bright cherry red in the glass and holds in the bouquet notes of cocoa and vanilla. Pleasantly balanced on the palate with well-dosed sweetness without a clumsy and long-lasting finish. It goes well with blue cheese and is sold in 0.375 litre bottles with an ABV of 15%.
A vote of thanks was given by Vice President Paul Nicholls. It was noted that throughout the meal the food was a good combination with the wines tasted
Diners enjoying the tasting
Text and photos by Gaby Ferenczy 22 September 2017