2004 D.O.Ca Rioja Gran Reserva, La Rioja, Spain
Wine-growing in Spain has an ancient tradition, as vines were already cultivated 3000 years before Christ. The Phoenicians founded the city of Gadir (Cádiz) around 1100 B.C. and carried on lively trade in wine in the Mediterranean. The first flourishing was in 200 B.C., because the Romans loved the wine from Baetica (Andalusia). The development was stopped by the invasion of the Moors in 711. For religious reasons the Muslims cleared large parts of the vineyards or only allowed the production of raisins. They brought with them the art of distillation, but this was not used for alcoholic drinks, but essential oils, as...
The red grape variety originates from Spain. More than 80 synonyms testify to its great age and worldwide distribution. The most important ones, grouped alphabetically by country, are Malvasia Nera, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, Negretto, Santo Stefano (Italy); Valdepeñas (California); Aragón, Aragones, Aragonez, Aragonez da Ferra, Aragonez de Elvas, Arinto Tinto, Olho de Lebre, Roriz, Tinta Aragonez, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Santiago (Portugal); Albillo Negro, Aldepenas, Arauxa, Arganda, Botón de Gallo, Castellana, Cencibel, Chinchillana, Chinchillano, Chinchilyano, Escobera, Grenache de Logrono, Jacibera, Jacibiera, Jacivera, Negra, Negra de...
