DISQUS

Catavino: New grapes in Rioja…Who cares!

  • Andrew · 2 years ago
    I am more interested in the encouragement of those older, near-extinct varieties Maturana red, white and parda ('brown'), Tempranillo blanco, Turruntés and Monastel de Rioja; so I guess I do care.


    I have to agree though - if I have an urge for something Spanish I will tend to buy something that is not Rioja.
  • Ryan · 2 years ago
    I should have addressed this more. These varietals are not falling out of favor, even though some just make bad wine, period. Everywhere I go people are trying to find the next big grape. So many wineries that I visit are full of small areas planted with local varieties. I love to taste through them when I have a chance, and many of the wineries actively work to make test batches so as to see what can come of them. The varieties are not being pushed out or lost. Yes the market, sadly, will not see as many of the odder ones. But with education and some of the more experimental producers looking for the next Mencia or Bobal, I think we will see new varieties enter the market. Or rather old ones re-entering at some point.
  • Andrew · 2 years ago
    I am more interested in the encouragement of those older, near-extinct varieties Maturana red, white and parda ('brown'), Tempranillo blanco, Turruntés and Monastel de Rioja; so I guess I do care.

    I have to agree though - if I have an urge for something Spanish I will tend to buy something that is not Rioja.
  • Ryan Opaz · 2 years ago
    I should have addressed this more. These varietals are not falling out of favor, even though some just make bad wine, period. Everywhere I go people are trying to find the next big grape. So many wineries that I visit are full of small areas planted with local varieties. I love to taste through them when I have a chance, and many of the wineries actively work to make test batches so as to see what can come of them. The varieties are not being pushed out or lost. Yes the market, sadly, will not see as many of the odder ones. But with education and some of the more experimental producers looking for the next Mencia or Bobal, I think we will see new varieties enter the market. Or rather old ones re-entering at some point.