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Winery
Casa Agricola (Pepe Mendoza)
Varietal: Carignan
Although nowadays most commonly associated with the wines of southern France – particularly Languedoc – and Sicily, the Carignan grape varietal was once an important indigenous Spanish grape, and was used in the production of early Rioja wines. Today, the grape is found in many different countries, and is most commonly used in blended wines, where its strong tannins and astringent nature can boost other, weaker bodied varietals to produce superbly balanced blends. Carignan grows in hot and dry conditions, and is particularly susceptible to rot and mildew, making it quite a challenging grape to cultivate. However, given careful treatment, the Carignan grape is capable of producing sumptuous single variety wines, packed full of interesting earthy flavors quite unlike other red wine grapes.
Country: Spain
Ever since the Phoenicians and Romans brought their knowledge of vine cultivation to Spanish soils, the country's culture has grown alongside wine production, with wine being a vital part of Spanish identity and Spanish traditions. Each region of Spain has a wine quite distinct from the others, and it is produced by smallholders and families as much as it is by large companies and established wineries. From the relatively mild and lush regions of La Rioja to the arid plateaus that surround Madrid, grapes are grown in abundance for the now booming Spanish wine industry, and new laws and regulations have recently been put in place to keep the country's standards high. By combining traditional practices with modern technology, Spanish wineries are continuing to produce distinctive wines of great character, flavor and aroma, with the focus shifting in recent decades to quality over quantity.