Pyrenees Wine Workout with Vinoteca

Last week we gathered with Vinoteca for a Pyrenees Wine Workout!

Having skipped my HIT session that day, I felt it was important to get some ‘exercise’ in! Brett & Charlie (AKA Rodney & the Horse) the head honchos were a fantastic double-act, clearly super-passionate with a strong knowledge of their producers. 

A really well-structured session, starting with a ‘Warm Up’ involving details on the region and the producers, Mas Cristine & Tramontane, a short video message from their winemaker Andy Cook (nice touch), followed by the main ‘Workout’ a taste-along with expert detail from both the guys. Finally, the ‘Wine Down’ answering questions from gatherers.

Don’t miss their next Workout in aid of City Harvest London on 13th August!

What we learnt  

• Macabeu/Maccabéo in Roussillon in southern France, Macabeo in most of Spain, AKA Viura in Rioja, is a white grape variety with a lower potential for oxidation

• Tramontane is a cooling northerly wind in the Pyrenees 

• To turn grape juice into wine you need yeast to start the fermentation process, this can either be by relying on natural spores found in the vineyard/winery (as with these wines) or by inoculation 

• Bush vines tend to age better than those on a trellis system because they protect themselves from the wind.

The wines

Both made using low intervention & modern winemaking techniques, such as concrete ageing. Fresh fruit styles, no oak-ageing, from high quality old vines (average of 18 years old), producing lower yields but higher quality grapes.

Côtes Catalanes Blanc Macabeu 2019, Tramontane 

£13.00 

🍇 Macabeau

I loved this wine - great balance of fruit (grapefruit, peach, pear) & acidity with a lovely nuttiness. Proof that you don’t need to oak-age to add complexity! Gather with game or just “get it in your gob” - spot on advice from Brett!

Côtes du Roussillon ‘Le Grill’ 2018, Mas Cristine

£14.50

🍇 Grenache

Delicious & elegant with wild berries and spice. Enjoy now or as Brett recommends “made to be smashed straight away”. Gather with light cheeses & grilled meats.