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| Once
you have learnt the basics of wine tasting, found on the main page,
in this section you can test yourself and learn to distinguish the
characteristics of different types of wine. You only have to get hold
of the bottles of wine we mention below (we try to recommend wines
that economically accessible) and sit in front of your PC with the
appropriate glass of wine. |
| THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE GRAPE VARIETY IN A WINE |
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This
month we will learn how two wines, produced at the same time in the
same way (5 months maturing in the barrel) and in the same bodega,
can be so different from each other, fundamentally because the two
wines were are made with different varieties of grape.
For this test, we propose the following wines: IÑURRIETA NORTE
and IÑURRIETA SUR, both with the Navarre denomination of origin.
You will find these wines in specialised wine shops, at the Corte
Ingles department store chain and at info@bodegainurrieta.com. |
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IÑURRIETA
NORTE 2002
60% Merlot
40% Cabernet
Sauvignon
Approx. retail price: 5.10 €
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IÑURRIETA
SUR 2002
50% Garnacha
30% Tempranillo
20% Graciano
Approx.
retail price: 5.10 €
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| SIGHT
Holding the two wine glasses at the same height, tilt both through
45º against a white, matt background in order to appreciate different
shades of colour. |
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| Holding up the two
glasses of wine side by side and tilting them away from you
at an angle of 45º against a matt white background, we will
be able to see that both wines have a very intense colour. However,
around the edges of the IÑURRIETA SUR we will appreciate
more violet or bluish hues. |
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| SMELL |
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But it is in the nostrils
that we will find the first great differences. While both wines
are clear with an intense aroma, they have differences in smell.
If we first sniff the IÑURRIETA NORTE, we will perceive primary
aromas (due to the grape variety used in its production) with a
background of aromas acquired by the maturing in the cask. On the
other hand, on smelling the IÑURRIETA SUR, the aromas from
the barrel will be more easily perceived. When defining these aromas,
the IÑURRIETA NORTE has those reminiscent of black fruit
such as bilberries, with a somewhat vegetable background and a considerable
aroma of spices (perhaps traces of thyme or clove …), and
ending up with an aroma not unlike cedar-wood. We will also find
fruit aromas with the IÑURRIETA SUR but this time they are
from ripe red berries, with a hint of lactic aromas and a lot of
cacao (not to be confused with chocolate), and also roasted elements
and cinnamon. |
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| MOUTH |
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As with the olfactive stage, the two wines are
quite different on the palate. On sipping the IÑURRIETA
NORTE, it immediately fills us with perceptions. Entry is dry
and powerful with the first impression being its structure, its
body and its vigour. Here, as on the nose, the sensations provided
by the different grape varieties are appreciated. On the one hand,
there are bitter and tannic herbaceous sensations from the Cabernet
Sauvignon variety and, on the other, the smoothness from the Merlot.
With retronasal olfaction, we are reminded once again of black
fruits with a hint of spices. A long aftertaste, due to its structure,
to its tannicity (noted by a sensation of dryness on the gums)
and by its body.
IÑURRIETA SUR is different with a dry entry that is not
as powerful as the previous wine (it should be remembered that
the Cabernet Sauvignon variety gives considerable structure to
wine). We will find more acidity on the palate (the tongue secreting
more saliva), less body, fewer bitter sensations, tannicity on
the gums but less than with the previous wine; this is more velvety
and less intense. The retronasal olfaction stage will recall ripe
red fruit with the wood being more noticeable than in the previous
wine. A fresher aftertaste (due to its acidity) and not as long
as the previous, given that the varieties used in IÑURRIETA
SUR are not so powerful.
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| SUMMARY |
This month I have wanted to tackle two different
concepts and that have provoked much debate. Which of the two grape varieties
do I choose? Both wines are good and both are at a reasonable price. The
fact is that some people like standardised or foreign varieties such as
those used in IÑURRIETA NORTE while, on the other hand, others prefer
the local grape varieties like those used to make IÑURRIETA SUR.
I am not going to get into that debate, though, as “there’s
no telling for taste”!
See you next month! |
