04 de May de 2017
“Bierzo explained” Written by Ferran Centelles 1 May 2017
Like all the regions that are on the pilgrims' route to Santiago de Compostela, such as Rioja,
Navarra and Ribeiro, Bierzo's wines were already produced and valued by monks in the Middle
Ages.
Bierzo is located within the valley of the River Sil, from which it is Atlantic-influenced. However,
the climate remains severely continental. Think of the region as a tectonic pot surrounded by a
mountainous chain. The village of Cacabelos, seen in the picture above taken from Prada a Tope
winery in Arganza, in the bottom of the valley, is in the centre of the region at 450 m (1,475 ft)
elevation. The elevation increases at the periphery towards the mountains that peak at 1,000 m
in the villages of Corullón, Vilafranca del Bierzo and Bembibre.
Bierzo borders on Valdeorras to the west and has considerable annual rainfall of 600-700 mm
(24-27.5 in). The rain falls mostly in the areas surrounding Valdeorras and is less pronounced in
the east of the region, For example, Corullón and Vilafranca del Bierzo are rainier than
Bembibre, Ponferrada and Congosto. There are lots of small mountains and small valleys within
the region, creating hundreds of slopes and different exposures, as shown on the map below.
(You can download a pdf of the map here in order to zoom in.)
Losada Godello 2015 Bierzo 20% is aged in second-use barrels, 80% is aged on its fine lees in stainless steel tanks. Vineyards are at 700 m elevation on slate soils. Moderate yields of 4,500 kg/ha. Production limited to 6,000 bottles. Tasted blind. Very remarkable aromatics showing quince, ripe peach, a touch of oak; a very deep and intense nose. The wine has a great palate, lots of flavour and concentration, it is voluminous and rich. For sure one of the best Godellos in Bierzo, powerful but still refined. Mouth-watering wine. (FC)14% Drink 2016-2019 17.5
Altos de Losada 2014,
#17,5Altos de Losada 2014 Bierzo70-year-old Mencía. Limited production of 7,300 bottles. The vineyards are planted on clay soils in Valtuille, Pieros and Villadecanes villages. Only native yeasts are used for fermentation, and it is aged for 15 months in new and nearly-new 500-litre French oak barrels. Tasted blind. Very good aromatics, pure and showing ripe black fruit, plums and herbal lift. Lots of fruit on the front palate, mellow and superbly integrated tannins, a dense fruit character and a savoury aspect at the back. Very good wine, fruit-charged but still silky, with superb management (FC)14% Drink 2018-2022 #
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02 de May de 2017
Cooking for a crowd? WineSpectator.com's newest online feature, "The Feast," turns to ace chefs—who better to advise on feeding the whole crew?—for recipes, prep advice and, of course, wine pairings. Plus, we'll give you 15 wines priced at $20 or less recommended by our editors. Get ready: It's time to feast!
Close your eyes and picture Cinco de Mayo. What do you see? If the answer is XXL sombreros, 2-for-1 margaritas and party platters of gummy, room-temperature cheese quesadillas, you’re not alone. But the rich heritage of Mexico deserves better.
15 Recommended Spanish Value Wines
LOSADA VINOS DE FINCA Bierzo Losada 2014 Score: 91 | $20
Generous yet focused, this red delivers black cherry, plum, blood orange, chocolate and toasty flavors, with savory notes of licorice and fennel. Light tannins and citrusy acidity support the fleshy texture. Expressive. Mencía. Drink now through 2021. 8,000 cases made.—T.M.
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23 de March de 2017
Here is a new review that just came out from Ken’s Wine Guide.
2015 Losada Spanish White "Godello"
Vintage: 2015
KWG Score: 91.3 (based on 3 reviews)
Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (90)
Review date: March 20, 2017
Wine Review: This dark yellow colored Godello opens with a very fragrant pineapple, ripe strawberry and kiwi bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, slightly acidic, rich and fully coats your mouth. The flavor profile is a mineral infused Bosc pear with notes of almond and oak. I also detected hints of white grape juice and lager beer. The finish is dry and its flavors linger and last for quite a while. This Godello is food friendly and warrants rich foods. I would pair with a seafood casserole. Enjoy - Ken
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13 de March de 2017
Interview of Amancio Fernández – Winemaker – Losada Vinos de Finca for AsiaImportNews – Exclusive
Could you please tell us the story of your winery, when it was created and how it developed decades after decades ?
The winery is situated in Cacabelos on the road to Villafranca del Bierzo. This location, in the center of a triangle formed by Cacabelos, Villafranca and Toral de los Vados, allows the best possible access to the production zone of most of the quality grapes produced in Bierzo.
The Property
Aiming to make an elegant new wave Bierzo wine, Losada Vinos de Finca boldly sought out old Bierzo vineyards traditionally planted on clay soils, a terroir which had been relatively overlooked by the Bierzo’s new wave.
As a result, Losada was established on the outskirts of the village of Pieros, on the St James pilgrimage route, midway between Cacabelos and Villafranca del Bierzo.
The company also owns vineyard plots mainly planted on clay soils around Valtuille de Arriba, where grapes for Altos de Losada are produced.
Wine Maker:
Amancio Fernández Gómez (París, 1972).
Since 2005, Amancio Fernández is in-house oenologist at the Losada Vinos de Finca bodega, a young venture whose philosophy is to extract the maximum expression from the region’s terroir via the painstaking selection of estates and vineyards. “Our aim is to find exceptional clay-soil plots in Valtuille and Pieros, capable of producing elegant and complex Mencía”.
Complexity and elegance are the grassroots of the Losada Vinos de Finca project, where, in addition to the conscientious selection of vineyards in order to express the true character of the region, the grapes belonging to each individual estate are handled independently at the bodega. Furthermore, the ageing process is regarded as a means of adding complexity and nuances to the wine, increasing its longevity. All of which is geared towards expressing the terroir of El Bierzo, with the greatest authenticity possible. “Our philosophy is to respect the environment and make elegant wines” Amancio summarised.
Spanish Wine Maker, Amancio Fernández link http://www.foodswinesfromspain.com/spanishfoodwine/global/foodpedia/who-s-who/wine-maker-amancio-fernandez.html
Wine-making approach
In the cellars, we are as non-interventionist as possible and aim to bring out in the wine-making the character of the vineyard and the quality of the vintage that our painstaking work in the vines has sought to enhance. Our wine-making approach is underpinned by a combination of solid technical know-how and the experience and intuition gained from more than ten vintages in Bierzo.
Harvest and vinification
We harvest by hand, placing the bunches in small plastic crates that are taken as quickly as possible to the harvest reception area of the winery. The fruit undergoes rigorous sorting on the vines so that any additional sorting required at the winery is minimal. The grapes are then de-stemmed and gently crushed before the fermentation begins naturally with the indigenous yeasts of the grape skins. The frequency of pump-overs and the temperature of fermentation are adjusted according to the character of the vintage. The new wines are then run off the skins into barrels for the malo-lactic fermentation.
Ageing
Our wines are differentiated according to vineyard origin rather than length of time spent in barrel. We believe that the role of the barrel is to let the wine breathe slowly through the pores of the oak and thus bring added complexity and greater longevity to the wine without losing its freshness and varietal character. We oak barrels that show the true character of the forests the wood was sourced from and which are best suited to the delicate and elegant wines that we produce. Our reliable French coopers are requested to supply us with lightly toasted barrels, taking into account the characteristics of each vintage.
Losada Vinos de Finca – during winter
What sort of wines are you producing ?
To begin with, we choose to sacrifice quantity in order to obtain prime material with maximum concentration. Our vineyards represent a legacy from earlier generations in the form of small parcels of old bush vines, and we believe in minimum intervention out of respect for tradition.
Our viticulture follows a different path in Bierzo; instead of looking for step hill slate soils, we have found that mencía and godello grape peel of old vines when planted on clay soils is much finer, structure softens and wines result silkier. Acidity, backbone of these wines, is then evolved with delicateness and elegantness becomes the main characteristic of this wines
Altos de Losada – Bierzo
Losada Vinos de Finca – El Pajaro Rojo
Losada Vinos de Finca – Godello
Losada Vinos de Finca – Altos de Losada
How important are your export distribution compared to national distribution ?
From the beginning Losada Vinos de Finca was focused on export markets, now we self more than 50% of our bottles in foreign markets.
What sort of distributors are your customers ?
Usually our importers and distributor are wine lovers, and they sell high quality products, and very different wines.
Why your wines are different from other wineries in your area ?
As I say before, we believe in minimum intervention out of respect for tradition.
Our viticulture follows a different path in Bierzo; instead of looking for step hill slate soils, we have found that Mencía and Godello grape peel of old vines when planted on clay soils
Do you produce grapes in a organic or environmental friendly method, or with general methods ?
Environmental friendly method, it isn’t difficult in El Bierzo, because is a small area with a very small and old vineyards.
Losada Vinos de Finca
Are your wines already distributed in Asia, and if not what are the countries you are looking for new distributors ?
We have some costumers in Asia, like in Hong Kong and Japan, and know we are trying to find new possibilities in other countries for sure, we will attend next Prowein 2017 in Düsseldorf and other international fair to find new importers.
Amancio Fernández Gómez – Winemaker tasting Losada Godello
Thank you very much Mr. Amancio Fernández – Winemaker – Losada Vinos de Finca for your time and answers!
For Importers:
Losada Vinos de Finca: www.losadavinosdefinca.com
Unique flavors that you’ll never forgetAmazing wines of Bierzo
Only at Losada Vinos de Finca you find the best wines in Bierzo!
Importers looking for very good quality wines you are in the right place!
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10 de March de 2017
# 90
LOSADA VINOS DE FINCA Godello Bierzo 2015 Tasting Note This savory white offers pear, smoke and fresh herb flavors, focused and harmonious, with firm acidity supporting the polished texture. Balanced and graceful, showing muscle. Drink now through 2020. 300 cases made.
–TM Score: 90 Release Price $32 Country Spain Region Spain Issue Apr 30, 2017
#90
LOSADA VINOS DE FINCA Bierzo
Altos de Losada 2014 Score: 90 Release Price $39 Country Spain Region Spain Issue Apr 30, 2017 Tasting Note This red is supple and lively, with crisp acidity supporting the plum, coffee and
garrigue flavors. The finish shows a refreshing bitterness. In a savory style. Drink now through 2019. 2,000 cases made.
–TM #90
LOSADA VINOS DE FINCA Bierzo 2013 Score: 91 Release Price $20 Country Spain Region Spain Issue Apr 30, 2017 Tasting Note This red is harmonious, showing richness and focus, with a polished texture that carries expressive flavors of black cherry, licorice and tar, while lively acidity and light, firm tannins impart backbone and balance. Drink now through 2020. 7,000 cases made.
–TM
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22 de February de 2017
2014 Altos de Losada (Bierzo) – 90 Points Smooth cool aromas of cedar, lemon peel and cola accent black-fruit scents on this easygoing Mencía. Reedy blackberry flavors come with notes of herbs and spice, while the finish is mild in acidity and hence so and friendly. Drink now
The wine with the greatest complexity and individual character, displaying all the subtlety and elegance that Losada has brought to the new Bierzo style. Altos de Losada has intensity and energy, with meaty, toasty and earthy notes framing black cherry, plum, licorice and mineral flavors. Chewy tannins resolve on the sanguine finish. Austere, but shows character.
ESTATE: unique high-altitude Losada vineyards near the villages of upper Valtuille and Pieros close to the Losada property.
SOILS: clay slopes with different exposures.
GRAPE VARIETY: Old vines Mencía.
AGEING: 15 months in French oak barrels.
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22 de February de 2017
Losada 2015 Godello (Bierzo) – 91 Points
Losada is known for its red Mencía, but this Godello debut is well done. A waxy oral nose with apple and stone-fruit aromas sets up a round full balanced palate with bold acidity. Salty notes accent peach and apple flavors, while this displays grip on a lingering finish. Sophisticated is a good way to describe this
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20 de February de 2017
About Altos de Losada
The wine with the greatest complexity and individual character, displaying all the subtlety and elegance that Losada has brought to the new Bierzo style. Altos de Losada has intensity and energy, with meaty, toasty and earthy notes framing black cherry, plum, licorice and mineral flavors. Chewy tannins resolve on the sanguine finish. Austere, but shows character.
ESTATE: unique high-altitude Losada vineyards near the villages of upper Valtuille and Pieros close to the Losada property.
SOILS: clay slopes with different exposures.
GRAPE VARIETY: Old vines Mencía.
AGEING: 15 months in French oak barrels.
The wine with the greatest complexity and individual character
Guía Gourmets 2017: 95pt.
Guía Peñín 2017: 91pt.
Tanzer: 92pt.
Wine Enthusiast: 92pt.
Wine Spectator 91pt.
Vinous 92 pt
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30 de Januray de 2017
2013 Losada Spanish Red "La Bienquerida"
Winery: Losada
Vintage: 2013
Wine Name/Vineyard: "La Bienquerida"
Ken's Wine Rating: Very Good+ (92)
Review date: January 19, 2017
Wine Review: This very dark violet colored Mencia from Spain is very good. It opens with a musty wood influenced black plum bouquet. On the palate, this wine is full bodied, balanced and savory. The flavor profile is a tasty cedar influenced black cherry with notes of dark chocolate, nutmeg and clove. I also detected a hint of red currant towards the end. The finish is dry and its fruit flavors and moderate tannins fade away nicely. This wine would pair well with braised short ribs. Enjoy – Ken
From an ancient and locally legendary single vineyard plot ncludes a tiny percentage of indigenous vitis vinifera varieties that predate the Mencía, incorporated into the blend for added complexity. e old vines, meticulously rehabilitated following long abandonment, produce an exceptional wine that represents the quintessence of Bierzo.
Th e strong personality of the wines produced by this unique vineyard has made it historically one of the most desired plots. Almost abandoned lately, nowadays the plot has been recovered by Losada Vinos de Finca.
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30 de Januray de 2017
Happy Lunar New Year!!
May the year of the rooster bring you luck, happiness and good health!!!Wishing you a wonderful and prosperous new year with lots of happiness
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