Spanish Wine Experience: Recent Episodes
Luke Darracott & Roque Madrid
A fun, yet educational, alcoholic journey through the Spanish world of wine.
Join us as we drink our way through what this country, and this city, have to offer!
We are back! Sorry for the gaps. Our new shop makes us very busy these days! But we have something rare and special. A wine from the Picos de Europa mountains in Cantabria. Vino de la Tierra de Liébana! Angel Moreno's Mencía from the peaks. Weird right? Mountain wine, but is it fine? We'll see.
It's almost Christmas! So to end off the year prior to this festive we are heading back to the big boy himself: La Rioja. Things have been changing in the last couple of years. So with a bottle of Brunes by Bodegas Vivanco in our glasses, we chat singular vineyards, village wines, intriguing grapes and bubbles!
A slightly differente episode today. We decide to celebrate International Cab Franc Day by diving into the life and history of this French grape. Or...is it French? We sample a bottle of Abadal Franc from the tiny Catalan DO of Pla de Bagès!
Yee haw and giddy up! This week Roque and Luke head down to the depths of Almeria, towards the long coast of southeast Spain to a winery making a delicious red in the middle of cowboy country. Sierra Almagrera is a blended tinto from a region not usually famed for viticulture, so is it any good?
Today Roque and Luke talk vertical tastings, wine events, and enjoy a very rare bottle of one of the finest sweet wines they've ever tried. Dulce Salmor from the Viña Frontera COOP on the tiny island of El Hierro. Truly amazing stuff!
That's right, Spain has recently welcomed into the Denominación de Origen family another new regulated wine region. Eagle-eyed listeners might recognise the name as this used to be a VT. But not any more. So we crack a bottle of Phoenix by Quinta de Aves and talk all things DO!
Time for a weird grape double edition. Huelva, an episode we have been to before years ago, known for its sherry-esque wines and sweet vinos. We have a bottle of Líbero, a fascinating 50/50 blend of two grapes only found in this Andalusian hideaway: Zalema and Listan de Huelva. Enjoy!
Regions, grapes, statistics, numbers, facts and figures; over the last few years we've covered a lot. So, over a bottle of very alcoholic red wine (Loxarel OPS) this week we have decided to compile all the main stats of the Spanish wine world. ALL of them! Lots of pub quiz answers to be found.
Roque loves sparkling wines. Luke loves the Basque Country. If only there was a way to bring these two things together. Well there is! The Pais Vasco is famous for its crisp white wines, but a few producers are making reds, roses, sweet wines and bubbles. This week a bottle of Izar Leku accompanies a podcast full of wine, history, and the usual ridiculous jokes!
Time for another episode of 'what the hell grape is that?!' Roque spent New Year in the Canary Islands, lucky bugger, but he still did his job and brought us back a bottle of something weird from Tenerife using a very rare grape from another island entirely: Forastera!
We. Are. Back. We have been away since March 2023! Why? Where were we? What have we been up to? All will be explained. Also, we enjoy an amazing gift from listeners Sheree and Ian; an Albariño aged...underwater??
A SHOCKING DISCOVERY! We never got round to recording a podcast about Malaga and its delicous sweet, fortified, aged, oxidised wines. We did Sierras de Malaga years ago, but not Malaga DO. After facepalming Roque and Luke get down to business with a bottle of Vino Maestro from Bodega Doña Felisa and chat all things boozy from the Costa del Sol!
Welcome to a new version of an old podcast that was lost. Sounds kind of mysterious right? Years ago Roque and Luke did a podcast all about the grape Garnacha. It was lost in the cloud and never uploaded properly. So, now with a shop full of that grape, they return to the wonderful world of the Garnacha grape!
We're back on the vermouth again! Not since back in 2018 have we focused on this amazing Spanish delicacy. And back then, prior to our shop, we didn't know what we know now and we didn't have our own vermut! This week we want to go over Spanish vermouth again, but with more knowledge and market experience. And, of course, we be drinkin'
So, you're visiting Spain, or perhaps you just fancy something español for dinner to mix it up a bit, but don't know what to choose. You like Cab Sav, or maybe a Chianti. So what would be a Spanish version of that? This week Roque and Luke dive into Spanish alternatives to most the main grapes and regions around the world.
FINALLY! After years of trying to locate this wine, painstaking effort of behalf of us pestering distributors, we managed to get one: a bottle of Tostado do Ribeiro from bodega Viña Costeira up in DO Ribeiro. It also, happily, timed well with a recent visit to the Galician wine region itself. So time to revisit a little this odlest of DOs and sample, for the first time, this mythical sweet wine!
Another year in the shop, another year in wine, and other year in the world of wine. What's changed? What have we enjoyed drinking and what have been the highs and lows of this most bizarre year! Roque and Luke have already been drinking as they dive headfirst into the 2022 round up. See you in 2023!
A wonderfully niche Vino de la Tierra this week. About as niche as you can get. Vino de la Tierra Sierra Sur de Jaen. Quite the mouthful! Deep down in the depths of eastern Andalucia is a tiny mountain viticultural area with only a couple of winemakers. The wine? Malaostia - great name - from Bodegas Cefrian. Also, there's a lot of olive chat.
Roque and Luke managed to find another of the rare Vino de Calidad regional wines. On a recent trip to the Leon area in the northwest, Luke picked up a bottle of Prieto Picudo red from the miniscule Valles de Benavente region. Bodega Otero's 2014 reserva in fact! The question is, where the hell is the region and who's there making wine anyway? Well, let's find out!
Another Vino de Pago here; one we've been enjoying for quite some time now as they do things a little different in this winery. Tucked away in DO Utiel-Requena is Pago Tharsys. They have a range of 'standard DO' wines as well as their own sparkling Cavas. But they also have a handful of DO Pago wines. In this case their rather accentric nocturnally harvested Albariño!
How old can wine be? Should we be buying wine and waiting? What makes a wine worthy of ageing? All these burning questions will be answered as Roque and Luke sampling wines from the 1960s! Yes, that's right, booze that has been sleeping for almost sixty years! Thanks to Toro Albala and their creations from D.O. Montilla-Moriles!
This week Roque and Luke try perhaps the most influential grape no-one's ever heard of and that you'll rarely find: Cayetana. Though, as you'll find out - hell, as they'll find out - it goes by many names and has been a historic figure hiding in the shadows for centuries.
Ah yes, terroir, that most mysterious of words. So vague, so pretentious, so winey, so French. But, credit where credit is due, it is a great concept, an important concept and a useful way to think about wine. This week we talk about the idea of terroir by trying a new project from a winemaker who likes to play. Three tempranillos, made in the same way, but from three different provinces in the same region. Will we taste terroir in action?
It's party time in many parts of Spain! And why? Well, it's the vendimia, the grape harvest. And Roque is about to head down to one; we all hope he makes it back alive. This week we want to take you through some of the best and most alocholic wine-fiestas in Spain!
Happy Summer everybody!! Lordy lordy it has been hot here in Spain the last few weeks, and we are still way off the cool days. Roque and Luke are on their holidays, so, to celebrate the season, they have thought up their perfect Spanish summer boxes for you to enjoy!
This week bubbles! So you know Roque is happy. And not just any bubbles. It's not Cava, it's not CORPINNAT, it's not even from the peninsula! A sparkling wine from...Lanzarote! That's right; there's more to Spanish sparkling wine than you'd think at first glance. To dive into the theme the boys have a sparkler from Los Bermejos winery.
Betanzos? What's a Betanzos when it's at home? Well, it's a small town in the far north of Galicia near the crashing Atlantic coast, and not an area usually associated with wine. Yet historically there was wine there and a few winemakers created VT Betanzos in an effort to promote their vinos! Conexión Mandeo is the bottle they'll being trying; a white wine with a weird grape!
As with many Spanish regions, back in 2019, just before the pandemic, Priorat underwent some big classification and structural changes. So we thought, given it's been a while, it was time to head back to Priorat and see what's going on. To accompany us a Vi de Vila from Cims de Porerra!
It's time for another grape-centric podcast. We have alreasdy covered Garnacha and Tempranillo and now it's time for the King of the white grapes Albariño. To dive into the history, flavours, styles and regions of this fantastic grape they sample a Valencian version from Bodegas Hispano-Suizas.
VC Cebreros - how did this region escape us for so long?! Just out west, over the Madrid border, is a high altitude mountainous Vino de Calidad wine region called Cebreros up in the Sierra de Gredos. Today, with special guest Rick Fisher SWS, we sample a bottle of Viña de Ayer Albillo from winemaker SotoManrique!
Maturana what now? Yes, that's right; we're back with another weird grape. This week it's a vitually non-planted and unknown white variety from Rioja. The crazy thing is that it's one of the oldest in the region! Roque and Luke are enjoying a bottle of Clipeo; an organic small production fancy pants bottle.
Sherry. That famously misunderstood wine; sometimes sweet, sometimes drier than bone dry. Always fortified. But what if a sherry winemaker decided to release a sherry...unfortified? Well that's what Luke and Roque have this week. A bottle of Socaire from VT Cadiz.
This week Roque and Luke head back to Bierzo; one of their favourite DOs. Why? Well, since 2019 a lot of Spanish wine regions have been undergoing major changes to their rules and regs. So they plan to revisit and drink their way through the changes. This week Banzao's Godello Vino de Villa.
What goes into a wine? Grapes? Sure. Fermented ones? That’s right. And sometimes more than one type. The idea of a blended wine isn’t new, but it’s not often talked about. Bordeaux is a blend, Rioja traditionally is a blend. Today we wanted to talk about blending with an awesome little wine that puts the idea of the coupage foremost. Pasotismo from Aragon.
¡Nuevos episodios! / New episodes!
We have had only a few rose wines - or rosados - on the podcast over the few years. But something we've never really touched on is the idea of ageing a rosado. Can you barrel them and age them? Should you? And what do they taste like? This week they open a bottle of Huella de Aitana from Navarra to find out!
We love the weird grapes episodes. It's always fun for us to take you a world of wine that is marvellously off the beaten track in the hope we fuel your interest in discovering new varietals. And this week it's not one, not two, but five grapes all in one wine from the Canary Islands. Bimbache from the El Hierro island!
Yes, you read that correctly! Over the many years of giving winetastings we have been asked countless times 'Is supermarket wine any good?' or 'how do I choose wine in the supermarket?'. So we thought, we should talk about that, as it's a huge part of the wine industry. To dive deeper Roque has brought a supermarket wine to put Luke to the test!
Have you heard of Tempranillo? Of course you have. But do you really know about it? It is Spain's premier red grape of course, but most people only know it in realtion with Rioja. Tempranillo is the superstar, but why? Where is it from and where is it planted? To dive into this mythical grape Roque and Luke are drinking a bottle of Palacio de Villachica from DO Toro!
Yes, you read that correctly, Juan Ibañez. Could be the name of a Spanish bloke; but no, it's a grape! Actually it goes by many weird names and hails from the Aragon region of Spain. This week we try a bottle of Anayón Parcela 65 from DO Cariñena made from said grape. But what's it like and is it any good?
This week something a little different. Four different wines! Four?? That's right. But not the usual glass-bottled, labelled, from the wine-shop variety, no. Vino a granel, or 'bulk wine' is all the wine that is not bottled. Roque was down in Murcia and brought back a red, a white, a vermouth, and a sherry, all siphoned off into plastic containers. But what is the truth behind vino a granel really? And is it any good?
Well aren't we all lucky that Roque had a little alcohlic jaunt with his family to the paradise island of Menorca recently. Fortunately, being always attentive to the needs of our audience, he brought back a bottle of wine to try! And try we will, for we've never had one before! A bottle of red from Bodegas Binitord; one of only a handful on the island.
¿Qué deberías hacer si eres una famosa bodega de culto de la Ribera del Duero? Dirigirse al sur de La Mancha y empezar a hacer un vino de Pago... obviamente. Esta semana Luke y Roque se beben una botella de tinto Pago Florentino VP. La pregunta es: ¿deberían haber dejado el Duero en primer lugar?
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Following a few weeks off - due to Christmas, New Year, Three Kings and a lot of craziness in the shop, Roque and Luke are back to toast the new year. On this episode they go over what happened in 2021 and highlight some of their standout wines of the year. Also they have lots of juicy plans for 2022, which they discuss we the usual seriousness they give these topics.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Following a few weeks off - due to Christmas, New Year, Three Kings and a lot of craziness in the shop, Roque and Luke are back to toast the new year. On this episode they go over what happened in 2021 and highlight some of their standout wines of the year. Also they have lots of juicy plans for 2022, which they discuss we the usual seriousness they give these topics.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Following a few weeks off - due to Christmas, New Year, Three Kings and a lot of craziness in the shop, Roque and Luke are back to toast the new year. On this episode they go over what happened in 2021 and highlight some of their standout wines of the year. Also they have lots of juicy plans for 2022, which they discuss we the usual seriousness they give these topics.
Another week and yes, another Vino de Pago! They've been popping up on our radar and we've been snagging them when we are able. This week we take a trip the middle of nowhere in Albacete province and try an intriguing 100% Merlot from Pago Guijoso! Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke are bringing you a wine that is the niche'st of the niche. You may have not heard of the region Almeria; it's a small province in the east of Andalucia. Not traditionally wine country, it's more famous for cowboy movies and vast beaches. There are wine areas though, but this isn't from one of them. Sierra Almagrera is a range of hills facing the Med and there's one winery doing their own thing there. So this is that wine!
What's that? Two weird grapes in a row? Well yes! There are so many in this wonderful country and we just got one in the shop that we just had to try with you all. Forcallat is an almost extinct Valencian variety that we have never tried in its pure form; and this week we have a bottle of La Forcallà de Antonia to help educate our palates! Enjoy!
We are back again at this Halloween time of the year with another weird grape; an island grape at that. Mallorca has a few local varieties that nobody has ever heard of. Today Roque and Luke sip at a bottle of Mantonegro red wine. Supernova from Bodega C'an Verdura!
Another week, another yummy wine, and another return to the wonderful world of the Vinos de Pago. This week Roque and Luke have a bottle of Petit Hipperia from one of the country's newest Vino de Pago zones. She's big, she's boozy, and she's got a horse on the label.
This week Roque and Luke talk animals, specifically those of the vineyards. From the bugs and bichos to birds, bats and beasts of burden, there is a lot of animal life involved both directly and indirectly in the vineyards. To lead them into this topic they have a couple of wines from Bodegas Enguera in Valencia. Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke dive into the geeky world of wine qualifications as both of them are embarking on their SWS course. But of course there's a variety of options out there for the interested alcoholic. Also, during a tête à tête about course rules Roque gets a special guest on for help!
Have you ever heard of pitarra wine? No? Well we hadn't either until quite recently. Vino de pitarra is a type of very localised wine from Extremadura. Fortunately Luke just spent a few days over there and brought a bottle back. But what is it and how is it made? What does pitarra even mean? And is it any good!?
Here's a new one for you. Vino de la Tierra de Murcia. Things are changing down south, and also changing for our old friends at Bodega Casa Rojo. They've moved away from their initial DO Jumilla wines and are now flying the flag for the far more unknown and new VT Murcia. So this week Roque and Luke crack open a bottle of Enemigo Mío and see what's what in Roque homeland!
We are back again, so soon, we know, with another one of our Perfect Spanish Wine Cellar pods. This time we have upped the price to 500€ so be prepared for longer lists and much fancier wines. This the cellar for the person who wants some of the finer things as well as more range than you'd get from 100€. Enjoy!
Well look at that, we found another wine region for you guys! This one we have already tried and loved and have been selling in our shop. We just forgot we hadn't done a podcast! A tiny VT region in Navarra, 3 Riberas only has a handful of wineries. This is the most prestigious; a rosé project made by legendary winery Chivite in conjunction with top chef Arzak! Enjoy!
Welcome to a new series on our podcast. As well as the usual wine region, weird grape and informative episodes, we are launching a new genre that is for certain price points what should you, and can you get, to prime your perfect Spanish wine cellar! This week, a tricky 100€. Neither Roque or Luke know the other's choice: fireworks ensue.
Sorry for the delay! It's been a few weeks! Luke had horrendous allergies for over a week followed by some biblical food poisoning. But now the boys are back, and with a truly tiny far-flung VT region from Aragón: Ribera del Jiloca. To talk about the area, and all things Aragonés, they have two different bottles of red from Bodega Santo Tomás de Aquino. Cheers!
And now for something completely different... Orange Wine is very much in fashion these days in the wine world. But most people would never think of Spain as a bastion of this kookier style of vino. Today the boys sample an orange wine from Bodega de las Estrellas; talk about what's going on, why it's going on, and whether they are Fire, Earth, Wind or Water types... Intriguing right?
We have to hand it to Roque and Luke; their sleuthing abilities are second to none. They've managed to locate another Vino de Pago - Dehesa del Carrizal - hiding out in the depths of the Toledo hills. They have a range of wines, but the boys have selected one of their favourite, and most-underrated of the big grapes, Petit Verdot. So enjoy!
Another week, another pod, another weird grape. Weird by certain standard anyway. There is a grape in La Rioja that 'some' people know, but maybe don't really know. A native of Rioja that was often hiding away in blends but more and more is being used to make fascinating and uniquely perfumed mono variety reds. Graciano! To talk about this grape the boys are lucky enough to sample a fancy bottle of Termón!
Time for something completely different. This week Roque and Luke want to focus less on a particular region and/or grape and instead talk both generally, scientifically, culturally, nationally and gastronomically about the idea of food and wine pairing. But with a Spanish bent. To aid them they tuck into various Galician conservas from Delgado Selecciones and pair them with a top Dominio O Secreto Albariño by Ruiz Clavijo.
Another week and another exciting discovery. This time Roque and Luke enjoy a bottle of barrel-fermented Albariño, but not from the usual area. It's Galicia, but not as we know it. A tiny little Vino de la Tierra hiding in the northern fjords. The wine is Komokabras from Adega Entre Os Rios.
Well, well, well, what's all this then? That's right, Roque and Luke discovered another one of Spain's 'top of the pyramid' hard-to-find Vino de Pago wines. This week it's the turn of Pago de los Balagueses, located in the interior of the Valencia region. They have a range of smashing wines and this week they're trying the delicious Garnacha Tintorera.
This week Roque and Luke take a light-hearted deep dive into the life of a vine. It's very common now to find wines with expressions like 'Old Vine' and 'Pie Franco' on the label. But what does this mean for the wine? We also talk more generally about the life of our favourite plant: the Vine. To enjoy this theme the boys enjoy a bottle of Octogenarius from more than 80-yr Rioja vines.
This week the chaps want to step away from focussing on one particular grape or DO wine region for a moment and instead hone in on a theme that has been interesting them a lot recently: the idea of blended (multi-grape) wines 'vs' the single variety wine. To talk more about this Roque and Luke were lucky enough to receive a rather fancy bottle of El Grillo from Bodegas El Grillo y La Luna in DO Somontano!
This week Roque and Luke want to focus on the concept of the Atlantic Red, a style of wine that is becoming really popular in Spain. What is an Atlantic wine? What makes it so? Are there Atlantic wines that have nothing to do with the ocean itself? To talk more about this topic they drink a bottle of Golpe a Golpe Tinto from the Galician coast.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! And to celebrate? How about the fanciest wine yet tried on the podcast? Fondillón, a mythical and historically legendary, but sadly forgotten and very rare style of alcoholic sweet red from Alicante and beloved by kings. This wine has more in common with Port than normal table wine. So, to toast 2021 in style Roque and Luke grab a bottle of Laudum Gran Reserva from 1988! Enjoy!
So we come to the end of this most terrible year. 2020 has been a truly rubbish one. With a bottle of Avelino Vargas Aureo in their hands Luke and Roque toast the end of the year; chatting about how 2020 has affected the wine industry and their shop, how things have evolved and their favourite wine discoveries! See you in 2021!
It's nearing the end of the year so before Christmas arrives, Roque and Luke decided they fancied something sweet to get in the mood! The world of sweet wines is vast, so instead of talking in general terms they thought they would start with Late Harvest wines - and the evolved styles that can be attained from playing around with the simple fact of 'when you pick your grapes'. To aid in this endeavour they drink, far too quickly, an astonishing Basque sweet wine called Astobiza!
Another week another region; well, sort of. With every passing week it is getting more difficult for Roque and Luke to find 'new' regions in the country - as they've drunk most of them already. But we mustn't forget the Vinos de Pago - singular estate DO regions. This week's star is the sexy Senda de Leñadores from Aragon's Pago Aylés. Enjoy!
It's that time of the year again. November arrives and the youngest wines in the wine world flood the market. Vins de primeur, nouveau wines, vinos jóvenes. These super young wines have their fame mostly thanks to Beaujolais in France. But Spain has their own version: Primero. To talk about these styles of wine, and the process by which they are made - carbonic maceration - a bottle of Primero squares off against Beaujolais Nouveau from Louis Jadot.
Another week, another wine, another weird grape. This week Roque and Luke have a look at Verdil; an almost-extinct varietal and very hard to find, from Valencia. They sample a crisp, cold bottle of Los Arraez Verdil from Bodegas Arraez!
Now when thoughts turn to the idea of non-vintage wines - if they do indeed turn at all - the most 'common' wine that presents itself is Champagne. There are others of course. But, what about red and white wines? Well, to sample something brand new and rather kooky, Roque and Luke head, somewhat unexpectedly, to traditional Rioja and try Bodega Tobia's new non-vintage still wines.
This week was SHERRY WEEK all across the world so in order to look more deeply into this most delicious and Spanish of wines - and also Luke's favourite wine it the world - Roque thought it would be fun to set up a blind tasting of different styles as a way of explaining how each is made. Will Luke guess the wines? Find out here!
This week Roque and Luke are starting a new sub-series to the podcast. In Spain there are hundreds of grapes, and many of them are completely unknown outside of the tiny remote areas where they are made. In this new series, published every few weeks or so, they will take a look at the weirder and more wonderful grapes of Spain. The grapes you'll never see in any of the shops. This will also give them a chance to look at the regions they are from in greater depth.
First up, the mysterious Castellana Negra from Tenerife.
The wine world - like many - is a traditionally a very male-dominated industry; and perhaps even more so in Old World Spain. This week, the day after the International Day of Rural Women, Roque and Luke want to toast those women working in the fields and vineyards, and to an extended extent, in the industry itself.
They share a bottle of V de Valmores from Esther at Bodega Cuarto Lote and then proceed to go through a few other female-led projects they they have in Madrid & Darracott.
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/wine-shop/
This week Roque and Luke dive deep into a topic they've touched on on many wines over the years. The hot topic in winemaking and wine-selling: is the wine organic, biodynamic, natural or what?
What does it all mean? What are the differences between the different labels? Is it all just marketing nonsense or are there real differences in the wines? To talk about this topic they open two bottles: LAN Xtreme ecológico and Desig by Mas Candí.
Yes, you read that title right. Vino de Mesa...table wine. Surely Roque and Luke aren't planning to drink 'bad' wine for the next 40 minutes? Well, not exactly. Table wine is often a term used to define the terrible, non-DO, non-VT, unmarked bulk rubbish made in such high quantities in x or y country. But are there any good table wines? This week, to talk about vinos de mesa, the lads tuck into a bottle of Albahra by the cult wine group Envínate.
This week Roque and Luke want to head into a fairly unknown world. The world of white wine from a region almost exclusively known for big and heavy reds. A world of the mysterious Malvasia grape. A harsh world where vino blanco is a rare bird indeed. To help talk about this topic they enlist the help of the delicious Águedas by Bodegas Fariña.
This week Roque and Luke decide once again to focus on one grape in particular. And that particular grape happens to be particularly tasty and one of their favourites. Moscatel. Somewhat misunderstood, this week they dive into the various style emanating from what is actually possibly the most versatile of all grapes. To toast the varietal they tuck in to the magnificent Uvas Cabrera dry Moscatel.
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/product/ximo-cabrera-moscatel-seco/
Another LOST episode this week. And Roque and Luke are very happy they found it; as it was the first one they recorded on opening the Madrid & Darracott wine shop! To celebrate they opened a bottle of Savina from Bodega Terramoll - one of only two wineries on the tiny Balearic island of Formentera. So let's step back in time and toast the end of summer with the Mediterranean blast from the past.
We all - well, almost all - know about Cava. That charming and affable sparkling wine from near Barcelona in Catalonia right? Well...to an extent yes. But actually Cava can be made all over the countries. This week Roque and Luke wanted to have a little review of Cava to shine the spotlight on the non-Catalan regions. To do this they drink a truly glorious bottle of Tantum Ergo from the south-east of the country and Bodegas Hispano Suizas. So, this is Cava...but not as you know it!
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/product/hispanosuizas-cava-tantum-ergo/
You have definitely heard of rosé wine - or rosado in Spain. But have you ever heard about the other, lesser known, Spanish pink called Clarete? Probably not! This is a hybrid of red and white wine that comes out as delightful and rosy as any rosado. So what is this wine and what is like? Luke and Roque sample a bottle of Quelías from Bodegas Sinforiano to explore the issue!
Wine available at our online shop: https://www.madriddarracott.com/es/producto/quelias-rose/
Recently Roque and I discovered a batch of podcast that we thought we had lost through the simple act of getting a new phone. But they had been saved! So here is the first of our resurrected pods: CORPINNAT, a new unofficial DO created by a few great Cava houses who decided to leave that DO. To discuss the changes and what it's all about they tuck into a delicious bottle of Torello Brut Reserva!
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/wine-shop/
Roque and Luke have a fascinating wine to try this week. A bunch of friends who some years ago decided to try their hand at making wine...in the Picos de Europa mountains...in Cantabria. This is the opposite of wine country. The wine is Finca Morillas from the Picos de Cabariezo winery. What's it like? And what is going on in the world of Mountain wines? And who are these crazy mavericks?
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/wine-shop/
BIG NEWS: Something massive has happened in the world of Spanish wine. The mythical DO Ribera del Duero - home almost exclusively to be sexy Tempranillo-centric reds - has finally allowed white wines to be part of the Denominación de Origen. To discuss this Roque and Luke sample part of the new crop; the Valduero Albillo Mayor!
https://www.madriddarracott.com/en/product/valduero-blanco/
This week Roque and Luke return to the legendary region of DO Rueda to try an historic, mythical and almost completely unknown style of fortified wine called 'Dorado'. This sherry-style wines are made of local varieties and are a real bargain if you can find them. To help them delve deeper into this world they glug a bottle of Dorado 61 by the winery Cuatro Rayas.
This week try a super yummy wine from a super small region tucked in the low hills north of Seville. The VT Sierra Norte de Sevilla with its handful of producers and off the grid vibe is this week represented by the delicious Mirlo; an odd white from Bodega Tierra Savia.
Vinos de Pago. Roque and Luke have had a couple of them over the years; but they thought they'd take the opportunity to cover them in a bit more depth. What are they? What are they like? Where are they from? Are they really the best? To help them talk about them they sample a bottle from Bodegas Otazu near Pamplona and toast the cancelled San Fermín fiestas!
It's hot in Madrid. Summer has arrived. This week Roque and Luke turn their focus to the wonderful world of Spanish rosé. People usually think either of French Provence pink or sweet American blush wines, but Spain has a very long and strong tradition. To help them talk about rosé they open the brand new vintage of Micro Cuveé Rosado from the Cepas de la Culebra winery! So get your sunny pink hat on and enjoy!
There's things happening in the local wine region around here. DO Vinos de Madrid has undergone some changes in the last year, so Roque and Luke thought they'd use that as excuse to drink more local plonk. Also they sample 3 wines from a BRAND NEW Madrid winery opened just before the Covid-19 outbreak from Bodegas Cuarto Lote. Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke take a look at a concept of wine, and perhaps wine marketing, called Vino de Parcela. Or, in English, single plot or block wines. So what is this all about? Does it mean the wine is better? To try and get to grips with the concept more, they open 4 bottles from the DO Cigales winery La Legua!
On their 100th official episode Roque and Luke decide to indulge in a broader topic. Roque hails from the southeast of the country, so they thought they'd take the opportunity to delve into the world of 'Mediterranean Wines'. To help them they sampled two Sericis wines: a Bobal from Utiel Requena and a barrel-fermented Merseguera from Valencia, courtesy of Bodegas Murviedro.
This week Roque and Luke are trying something different. Instead of focussing fully on just a region, they want to spend more time focussing on the grapes themselves. The real stars of the show. This week the legendary Garnacha grape. To help them along their way they drink an absolute boozy beast of a wine: Brega, by Jorge Ordoñez.
Ahoy there! This week Roque and Luke are sampling a tiny production wine from a tiny and remote area in the northwest of Spain. The Sierra de la Culebra, which only has a handful of wineries scattered in a non-regulated region where wolves still roam. We sampling the new Micro Cuveé from our friend Ruben and his mountain project!
This week Roque and Luke turn their attention to the geekier side of the wine world. We all know about oak barrels and ageing wines in them. But is that all there is? What about stainless steel, concrete, amphora? And do barrels have to be oak? Find out today as they crack open a bottle of Tinácula from DO Ribera del Júcar, which in itself has been aged in a slightly strange way.
Something a little this week. The season for regional wine events has started all over the country and Madrid is no different. An interesting one popped up on the schedule and we wanted to document it: Ribera de Guadiana, a massive but fairly under-utilised wine region from Extremadura. It took place in the vast Lavinia wine shop. We learned a lot, drank a bunch and nearly destroyed the place. Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke head back to one of the their favourite parts of Spain for red wines - Aragón. In this giant region of Spain there are 4 DOs already, but they are turning to a much lesser known Vino de la Tierra wine producing area: VT Bajo Aragón and a bottle of Generación 20 from Bodegas Tempore. Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke return to where it all started. Episode 1 was all about Rioja. They sampled a classic red from the region but this time they are going to dive into the wonderful world of White Rioja! They open a bottle of La Candelera from Finca de la Rica. Expect the usual flurry of bad jokes as well as a nice helping of geeky information.
WE’RE BACK! After a long silence, Roque and I are back doing the Spanish Wine Experience. We have some big news to explain our absence. All will be revealed in this, the first episode of SEASON TWO of the SWE. Also, we sample a new DO. A Vino de Pago from the north of Navarra.
It's SUMMER and this week chaos reigns as Roque and Luke are joined on the podcast by not one, but two guests! Debbie Musgrove and Joy Figueroa join the pod as the SWE team walk through a live production of Sangria and other wine-based Spanish summer sippers. Salud and felid verano!
BIG NEWS! It’s the last DO!!!Roque and Luke have come to the end of the official 71 denominaciones de origen! A final journey to the Canary Islands, in this case DO La Palma, to drink a bottle of Piezas N2 by Matías Torres. A very small production white wine made from the unique Albillo Criollo grape. They chat mega tsunamis and the perfect dream winery. But don’t worry, this is not the end, there’s still much more to drink!
On this week’s podcast Roque has a very specific and peculiar challenge for Luke. Three wines, covered up, and ready to be sampled. Which grapes and regions lie in front of him? Have his studies paid off? Has he earned his pins? Let’s find out if Luke can identify the wines Roque has chosen on this blind wine tasting challenge special!
This week the SWE boys head to the unknown VT Ribera de Queiles in Aragon/Navarra to drink a sturdy Tempranillo/Cab Franc blend called Numbernine from Winery Arts; part of the Vintae group. They talk the meaning of ‘tinto’ and their respective alcoholic holidays.
This week Roque and Luke see that there’s life beyond the DOs as they travel to the depths of the Sierra de Aralar in Andalucía to try a beefy unique bottle of red from the mountain village Almonaster la Real. A bottle of Bemoles - a blend of Monastrell, Syrah, Merlot - from Bodegas Cerro San Cristobal. They also chat wine books and, surprisingly, turnips!
This week Roque and Luke try an utterly unique Spanish island wine. They are heading for the last time back to Tenerife in the Canary Islands to drink a bottle from DO Valle de Güímar. A sweet fortified red made from the unusual grape Baboso Negro, Contiempo comes from the Arca de Vitis winery in the south east of the island. They also talk future pods and Spanish wine descriptors.
This week Roque and Luke open a absolute beast of a wine. A boozy monster from the Segovia Vino de Calidad Valtiendas region. A throaty red from Bodegas Zarraguilla called Vennur. As well as discussing Segovia and the merits of vultures, they also chat wine experiences.
This week Roque and Luke sample an utterly unique style of wine that they picked up from
Bodegas Oliveros down in DO Condado de Huelva. A bottle of Vino Naranja, orange wine. What is this bizarre wine and why is it orange?? They also talk the minutiae of jamon and old vines!
Today Roque and Luke get stuck into a real unknown classic. Habla del Silencio... from VT Tierra de Extremadura. This big juicy blended red from Bodegas Habla is worthy of more fame than it has. They chat conquistadores and festivals and get some breaking crime news!
Another day, another island. This week Roque and Luke try a super hard-to-find bottle from the little hilly island of La Gomera; another gift from their intro man Jim Paluzzi! A bottle of Los Roquillos by Vinos Roque Cano from DO La Gomera. They chat about Roque’s upcoming visit to the island as well as wine thefts!
On this week’s pod the SWE team head south to one of the most beautiful corners of Spain. Granada! But more specifically the Alpujarra region. A bottle from VT Cumbres del Guadalfeo called Noladós from the Buenavista winery in Ugíjar. A big sexy Bordeaux style blend that gets Roque and Luke reminiscing about the area.
This week Roque and Luke dive into a bottle from DO Gran Canaria; a gift from their voiceover man Jim Paluzzi! La Montaña by Francisco Marrero Hernández: a mysterious possible blend from the island of Gran Canaria. Info was hard to come by. They also chat about Spanish wine and wildlife holidays an varietal variety. Cheers!
This week Roque and Luke sample a bottle from their first Vino de Calidad, from Lebrija in the southwest of Spain. But what is this unusual denomination? Frasquito, a sherry style drink from a range of wines by the only winemaker in the area: Gonzalez Palacios. They chat DOs, winemaking and silly wine traditions! Salud!
This week Roque and Luke share a bottle from one of the most difficult regions to find. Hiding in plain sight they drink to DO Tierra del Vino de Zamora, the only ‘land of wine’. Today it is the turn of Bodega Malandrín and of a bottle of their Malandrín Superior; a throaty Tempranillo. They chat about this quiet corner of Spain and also discuss, much to Luke’s delight, barrels!
This week Roque and Luke sample a bottle from Spain’s newest DO: DOP Islas Canarias! They pop the cork out of a bottle of Hollera from Bodegas Monje; another dusty Listán Negro red wine that hails from Tenerife. They chat Islands, historic wine and wine education.
This week the SWE chaps head down to Roque’s homeland; more specifically his hometown! They sample some bottles of the local wine region from his dad’s cellar. Vino de la Tierra Campo de Cartagena. Rare wines from a region with only one principal producer! Bodegas Serrano, wines made by Manuel Martinez Meroño. They drink a white, rosé and young red from his Viña Galtea range and an old boy from the Darimus collection. A more personal wine podcast, Salud!
This week Roque and Luke head to Mallorca; in fact Luke just got back from the island. In tow he has a bottle of Pere Seda Reserva from DO Pla i Llevant. A big blend that includes a fun local grape. They chat island culture, wines and gastronomy as well as Mallorca’s glitterati. Salud!
This week Roque and Luke sample a spicy little number from the Canary Island Tenerife and the mouthful DO Ycoden-Daute-Isora. They get stuck into a bottle of Listán Negro red from Bodegas Viñatigo. As well as island life they also dive into a chat that sounds like a sci fi movie: clones, crosses and hybrids.
This week Roque and Luke head back to La Mancha to the little known and very hard to find region of DO Mondéjar. Odd given it’s right next door to the capital! They sample a bemusing bottle of Arís, a white wine from Bodega Mariscal and made from the Torrontés grape. They also discuss a new wine controversy: handpicked grapes versus machine harvested. Salud!
This week sees Roque and Luke switch up their surroundings and head to the centre to sample a bottle of DO Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda at special guest Fabio's house. The trio tuck into a Micaela by Bodegas Barón and sample a splash of Barbiana. The group discuss the finer details of this fortified southern wine whilst dabbling in the usual nonsense and behaviour.
This week Roque and Luke head to the most quixotic wine growing region in the country and Spain’s second most expansive wine growing region: VT de Castilla. Delving the depths of La Mancha they opt for a bottle of Pétrola from Bodegas de Alort. They blather in about the official state-mandated way ‘to tapas’ as well as some food pairing logic.
This week Roque and Luke head to the Wild West of Spain. Andalucia's dusty cowboy corner and a bottle of Cristina Calvache’s Syran from VT Ribera del Andarax. As well as Sergio Leone and Eastwood references they share thoughts on Spain’s liquor laws!
This week Roque and Luke try something completely different. It is wine, chief, but not as we know it. Masquerading as wine (or is it?) the SWE team discuss and try three different wine-based drinks from Felix Solís, Vicente de Gandía and Copaboca. Art, the concept of wine, market forces, R.E.M... The wine podcast that flirts with being nothing about wine.
This week Roque and Luke celebrate a new arrival with a rather more unknown but nonetheless important wine region. Southern Spain’s DO Montilla-Moriles. They get stuck into a sensually sweet bottle of Tierra de Oro Pedro Ximénez and discuss what it means to be Spanish, as well as diving into the strange processes behind this region so deserving of our time.
This week Roque and Luke return to the weird and wonderful world of Vinos de la Tierra and grab a bottle which they haven't tried but from a winery they love. Bodega Tridente and their Mencía wine from Vino de la Tierra de Castilla y León. Quite the mouthful. They chat decanting wine and superpowers. Expect the usual nonsense to go with it.
This week a special guest and a special wine. VERMOUTH. A misunderstood style of wine that is very popular in Spain and which is NOT Martini! We sample two bottles from the Arlini Bodega and get tipsy on a wonderful gift from Holland! We answer questions about the drink itself and generally let it go to our heads!
This week Roque and Luke take a final trip to the Basque Country with a bottle of Txacoli from their last teaming region: DO Txakoli de Bizkaia / Bizkaiko Txakolina from the Itsasmendi winery off the crashing Atlantic coast. They talk winemaking challenge and effects and have a special interview! Enjoy!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! This week Roque and Luke return again to those sun-dappled volcanic islands of the Canaries. They sample a bottle from DO Tacoronte-Acentejo in the northeast part of the island. Viña Norte by Bodegas Insulares. They toast 2018 and chat top 5 wine choices!
On this week’s podcast Roque and Luke hit up another Vino de Pago from the lands of Don Quixote. DO Campo de la Guardia and a bottle of Martué. Wine controversies are back as the pair discuss wine tastings and answer a geeky question about gravity in winemaking! Salud!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! Yes, it’s that time of year again. Dust off your Xmas jumper and grab your turkeys, it’s our festive special. This year Luke brings Roque some surprise weird wine presents in the form of odd boozes and attempts to make a mulled wine. Expect chaos, festive questions and chat about food.
Merry Christmas one and all!
This week Roque and Luke head to the most westerly point of Spain and the most westerly of the Canary Islands to try a bottle of DO El Hierro. This interesting wine, made by Viña Frontera, came full of grapes the likes of which the podcast had never seen. Discussion topic this week? How to fake it at a wine party!
SURPRISE!! Yes, it’s true. It’s really happening. We are going back one last time final time to Catalonia. This chilly week we drink the one that almost got away: DO Penedés; a región most famous for its sparkling Cava wines. But Roque and Luke sample instead a fascinating bottle of white Nosodos+ from Albet i Noya. They chat bottle sizes and introduce a new segment to the show!
Time to say goodbye to our beloved Catalonia with the little known DO Pla de Bages. We have tried Abadal Franc, an unexpected red wine that has not left us indifferent. See for yourself, but watch out! Roque and Luke say more nonsense than ever.
This week something completely unexpected for Roque and Luke. They head to the flat humid lands in the deep southeast of the country with a bottle from DO Condado de Huelva. They share a bottle of Letrado from Bodegas Iglesias and discuss this new region, new wine style and new grape. They also shares ideas for imaginary wine gadgets and how to pair with fortified wines.
This week Roque and Luke head back to the realm of the Vinos de Pago, but this time to a small microclimate tucked away in the south of Navarra: Pago de Cirsus, DO Pago Finca Bolandín. They chat food pairings for Thanksgiving and blather on about glasses. Expect the usual levels of geekery and stupidity.
This week, as Madrid descends into winter, Roque and Luke head northwest back to Galicia to pick up their last DO there: DO Ribeiro. A positively sexy bottle of Pazo Tizón Extramundi white wine. Amid nonsense, the pair chat pairings with grilled food and why the Spaniards seems to drink more beer than vino!
This week sees Roque and Luke flying back to the Balearic Islands to guzzle down a bottle of DO Binissalem-Mallorca wine. They pop open a white by Jaume de Puntiró, made with an interesting local varietal. Amidst geeky chat they also explain the rules of the new SWE drinking game!
Today Roque and Luke travel to DO Alella, back to Catalan lands, where they will discover the red wine Parvas Syrah, from Bodegas Alta Alella. The perfect occasion to answer some questions that had been left unanswered, besides saying a few stupidities and nonsense.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN! Mwahahahhaaaaa, welcome to our spooky special. Join Roque and Luke and a special guest as they drink wine and prepare for their Halloween party. Roque tests Luke in a blind tasting of reds while he makes a festive dessert. The conversation ranges from the alcoholic to the ghoulish. Listen… if you dare...
Happy Podcast Day! This week Roque and Luke tackle another one of the single estate Vinos de Pago! This time it's DO Pago Florentino, a wine made in the depths of La Mancha but is owned by legendary Ribera del Duero bodega Arzuaga. They talk wine movies and receive and answer live 'in the moment' questions from some listeners.
This week sees Luke and Roque heading into the southeastern part of Castilla La Mancha to dinky DO Almansa and sample a hefty bottle of Atalaya del Camino from Bodegas Atalaya. They talk of how to buy wine as a student, exorcisms and many other bizarre topics. Salud!
On this week's podcast Roque and Luke journey to one of the country's younger regions; the grandly named DO Tierra de León. They sample a bottle of wine from the Pardevalles winery and enjoy their native Albarín grape. They also muse of guzzle-able wine and replantings!
This week, Roque and Luke take on one of the big guns - and one of Luke's favourite DOs: Jerez; otherwise known as Sherry or Xerez! This is a hefty mission so they are joined by special guest boozer Fabio. He helps them get through a Fino, an Amontillado and an Oloroso. Expect geekiness and pandemonium as expected.
This week Roque and Luke head to one of the smaller DOs of Spain and back to Castilla La Mancha. DO Uclés and a bottle of Dominio de Fontana. They chat about pod statistics, DOs and music on this beautifully shambolic, as usual, podcast. Salud!
This week something a little different from the SWE team. Instead of a specific region, this week Roque and Luke focus on a winery for their first bodega special. They talk about the wines of Casa Rojo, share a bottle of DO Jumilla and DO Rueda and speak to a member of the winery team. Salud!
This week Roque and Luke head back to the land of Quixote to finally take on the world's largest wine-growing region: DO La Mancha. They share a rather impressive bottle of Finca Antigua Merlot. All goes normally until Roque drops the biggest surprise in the history of SWE. Enjoy!
This week Roque and Luke celebrate their one year anniversary with a bottle of DO Terra Alta called El Mago; an organic wine by 2013's Winemaker of the Year Franck Massard. The pair also have some surprise news in store, but you'll have to wait until the end of the podcast for that.
Today the SWE team return to the Canary Islands. Roque and Luke are joined by special guest traveller Debbie Musgrove. She's been on holiday and brought the boys a bottle of wine - Famara - from Bodega Vega de Yuco in DO Lanzarote.
They talk wine innovation and volcanic parks and start longing for holidays!
This week sees Roque and Luke once again returning to their beloved Vinos de Pago. A bottle of Opta from DO Calzadilla. The sensual red hails from the lands near Cuenca. They will talk about «tinto de verano» and the usual nonsense.
This week Roque and Luke head to Catalonia again, to the most north-easterly corner of Spain. DO Empordà; a remote and ancient wine region. They quaff a bottle of Terra Remota from a French couple making Spanish Vino! And the usual cavalcade of sommy silliness as Luke tests Roque's wine chops.
This week the SWE team take one last final trip down south to Roque's homeland of Murcia to try a big, bold bottle of DO Bullas. A Monastrell Syrah blend called Lavia from MG Wines. Will Roque burst into tears at the thought of never returning to his homeland? Come and find out and, of course, learn a little something along the way!
This week Roque and Luke head Back to the world of Vinos de Pago with a classy little number from DO Finca Elez. An intense 2006 blend from Manuel Manzaneque. They dive into geekiness and debauchery as Luke tests Roque's patience for knowledge.
This week sees Roque and Luke tackling one of the absolute stalwarts of Spanish white wines: DO Rueda. You order a white in Madrid, you get this. They opt for an interesting bottle of Nisia from Bodegas Jorge Ordoñez. They also quibble about sunlight and nonsensically muse about the usual wine based codswallop.
This week Roque and Luke head to Spain's smallest DO; Monterrei, found nestled in the hot depths of Galicia on the border with Portugal. They enjoy a bottle of Terras do Cigarrón which is part of the Martín Codax family. They also chat ideal dinner guests as well as how to pair wine with junk food snacks.
This week Roque and Luke head back to that wine making giant Cataluña to DO Conca de Barberà and go for something a little more exotic. A rosé made by Josep Foraster from the indigenous Trepat grape. They also get geeky talking about winemaking techniques and discuss why a wine might have…milk in it?
This week sees Roque and Luke head back to the world of Pagos for a bottle called Pilas Bonas from DO Pago Casa del Blanco. They talk and play with wine gadgets and chat, among other topics, nonsense about wine mysteries. Salud!
This week sees Roque and Luke returning the lands of the north, the mountainous Basque Country and the wonderful world of spritzy Txacoli! But this time it's DO Txakoli de Getaria, grown on the doorstep of San Sabastián. A glitzy and fun bottle from Txomín Etxaníz. Expect the usual nonsense and banter from everyone's favourite drunken fools.
This week Roque and Luke head to the depths of the depths, to the border with Portugal and DO Arribes. A spicy and fiery bottle of Abadengo that uses the bizarre Juan Garcia grape as its base. They also talk wine colours and Roque tries to convince Luke with his sangria recipe.
This week Roque and Luke get their faces round a smashing bottle of red from DO Montsant. A bottle of Can Blau from the originally named Cellers Can Blau. They bubble in the heat of summer, talk a touch of nonsense and get talking about wine festivals.
This week sees Roque and Luke returning to the heartlands of Aragón for a bottle from DO Calatayud created by Scottish Master of Wine Norrel Robertson at his bodega El Escocés Volante: the Flying Scot. Aaaand there's the classic banter ranging from wine smells to godly abilities. Salud!
On this podcast Roque and Luke take a voyage back to Catalan lands: DO Tarragona. They will try a bottle of Terrer d´Aubert 2013, from Vinyes del Terrer wineries. As well as answering the listeners’ questions they also act like complete pillocks.
This week sees Roque and Luke flying back to the Canary Islands, and back to old volcanic Tenerife. But, this time, to the south side and a bottle of mysterious wine called Chasnero from DO Abona. They talk volcanic soil and artwork and descend briefly into utter madness.
Thanks to Dave Watkins for providing the wine!
On this week's podcast Roque and Luke sample an odd wine from the tough lands of Utiel-Requena. A blend called Catamarán by Latorre Agrovinícola. They also talk barrels and wine stains with the usual dose of nonsense and geekiness.
This week Roque and Luke once again decide to guzzle another VT wine from the sun-dappled Balearic island of Mallorca! They tackle a supple and soft bottle of Randemar from Celler Tianna Negre and chat nonsense is the noisy and rambunctious surroundings of the Casa Gonzalez wine bar!
This week Roque and Luke journey to the sultry south of Spain and sample a fascinating wine from VT Cádiz. Yes, VT; today they talk about Vino de la Tierra wine instead of DO, with a bottle of Barbazul from Huerta de Albalá. They also ramble on about winery etiquette and tell their personal story.
This week Roque and Luke set their sights, and their tastebuds, on another lesser known, hidden away corner of La Mancha: DO Ribera del Júcar, near the historic city of Cuenca. They guzzle down a bottle of La Duna from Vega Moragona. They get serious talking about cooperatives and get stupid talking about anthropomorphic wine!
Let’s fly back to Cataluña, now to discover the Cataluña DO. This week Roque and Luke share a bottle of Idoia Blanc from Ca N’Estruc bodega. And of course, stupidity, nonsense and mutual insultery.
Happy Easter/Semana Santa everyone! Time for a festive special edition podcast. In honour of the religious period Roque and Luke decide to toast the pious with a couple of bottle of sacred wine. They are also joined by a special guest who comes bearing seasonal gifts! Fingers crossed there's not too much blasphemy!
On this podcast Roque and Luke take a voyage back to Galician lands: DO Ribeira Sacra. They will try a bottle of Guímaro Tinto 2015, from Guímaro bodegas. Expect the usual nonsense and a special guest.
On today's podcast Roque and Luke return to another Vino de Pago with DO El Terrerazo from Bodegas Mustiguillo: Mestizaje. It's also Roque's first foray into the world of the Bobal grape. The two stammering fools also talk about wine awards, sommeliers and their Last Supper wines.
This week Roque and Luke turn to another one of the most classic and historical regions of Spanish wine: DO Navarra. A land of kings and castles, of deserts and lush green mountains. They sample of bottle of red from Bodegas Pago de Aráiz and talk, as per usual, a lot of twaddle but also try to find something intelligent to throw in the mix.
Who likes the island life? Well, this week Roque and Luke have their first taste of it as they head to Tenerife in the volcanic Canary Islands. They sample a fascinating bottle of 7 Fuentes red from DO Valle de la Orotava made by the guys at Suertes del Marqués. As well as that they dive into tannins and talk about the merits of drunkenness!
On this week's boozy pod, Roque and Luke decide not to stray too far from home and head to DO Méntrida, a Manchegan region close to the capital. They share a delicious bottle of Syrah from Bodegas Arrayán and play the 50% sommelier, 50% silly game.
On this week's podcast Roque and Luke enjoy the onset of spring with a cold bottle of Ánima de Raimat from the legendary Raimat bodega in DO Costers del Segre. As well as the classic onslaught of idiocy, they also natter about box wines and turn their drunken minds to the media.
This week the SWE boys head back down to Roque's homeland and get their tastebuds excited by a bottle of red from DO Yecla. A big and bold blend called Viña al lado de la Casa from the region's pioneer family and winery: Bodegas Castaño. Expect some half intelligent answers to intelligent questions, boozy walks down memory lane as well as the typical mutual insultery.
This week Roque and Luke head to one of the most venerable old wine making regions of Spain: DO Cariñena. Instead of the usual red wine, the get their mouths round a bottle of white Garnacha Blanca Menguante from the Bodegas y Viñedos Pablo. Also, Luke tries to sound intelligent while Roque makes jokes at him.
This week Roque and Luke are joined by special guest Joy Figueroa, a Madrid based foodie and gastro-guide. They drink a bottle of DO Manchuela that Joy and Luke picked up on a recent visit to the Finca El Molar winery out in the depths of La Mancha. Three's trouble, so expect even more nonsense than usual!
This week sees Roque and Luke diving into the heart of Extremadura, the land of sunshine, ham and conquistadors. They down a lovely bottle of Balancines from the Pago los Balancines winery in DO Ribera del Guadiana. And don't fret, there's the classic idiocy and wine chat as per usual.
It's time for Roque and Luke to dive into the world of Vinos de Pago; single estate DO that produce high quality wine. This week a bottle of Caliza by Dominio de Valdepusa from the legendary Marqués de Griñón family. And of course, stupidity and mutual insultery abound.
On this week's podcast Roque and Luke head once again into the unknown. They go west to the second youngest DO: Sierra de Salamanca and have an intriguing bottle of La Vieja Zorra from the Vinos la Zorra bodega. They talk about everything from weird grapes to barrels and generally act far more immature than they should.
This week, despite the throngs of winter in full effect, Roque and Luke have a white wine. But not any old white wine. They head to the Basque Country and try a Txakoli from DO Txakoli de Álava. 'Atlantis' from the Maetierra bodega. They also answer multiple questions from the public whilst attempting, and failing, to not spill wine on the floor.
On today’s podcast Roque and Luke head to Catalonia and take a bottle of one of Spain’s most highly-prized wine regions: Priorat. La Garnatxa Fosca, part of the Proyecto de Garnachas por España from Vintae wineries. They talk about stupid things and they talk about geeky things. But most of all, they talk about wine.
Happy 2017 from Roque and Luke. To toast this new year we tackle another Spanish classic. A bottle of Ribera del Duero, from Condado de Oriza Crianza. As well as the classic wine chat the two swap presents and chat festive nonsense.
This week it’s time to toast the upcoming New Year. And there’s only one way to do that: Cava. Spain’s famous sparkling wine pops and fizzes its way from Robert J Mur’ winery. Roque and Luke discuss bubbles and New Year’s resolutions.
Today, as the winter sun sparkles in a frost sky, Roque and Luke buck the trend and have themselves a bottle of Casa Castilla rosé wine, rosado, from the region DO Cigales and Miguel Martín’s wine company. They pick each other’s brains about wine attitudes and generally act stupid… no change there.
Meeeeeerry Christmas to one an all! It’s that most festive time of the year again. To celebrate Navidad, Roque and Luke opt for a pair of sweet little numbers. A complex Pedro Ximenez from the Alvear winery in Montilla-Moriles and a luscious Moscatel from Vinos de la Tierra Valles de Sadacia. As well as getting plonkered, intense debates are had about who has the better Christmas!
This week Roque and Luke journey to south to a lesser known wine region on the south coast. Instead of sangria and beaches, they head to the Sierras de Málaga DO to try a red blend called El Buen Puntito from the Morosanto Bodega. As usual you can expect and enjoy equal parts childish behavior and insightful wine knowledge!
This week Roque and Luke take on a bottle of red from the Lerma Bodega and the pretty unknown DO Arlanza. As well as answering the listeners’ questions they also act like complete pillocks.
In this week’s podcast Luke and Roque get stuck into a dark and fruity Monastrell from Juan Gil in the region of Jumilla; nestled inland in Roque’s home region of Murcia. There’s also laughter and absurdity as per the norm.
Today Roque and Luke get involved in a Godello from the old Roman of Valdeorras ‘the Valley of Gold’. They opened a bottle of Gaba do Xil from Compañía de Vinos Telmo Rodríguez. They proceed to gabble nonsense as well as attack some listeners’ questions. A cold crisp toast to the incoming winter.
On today’s podcast Luke and Roque try a classic Campo de Borja wine from Borsao Bodega - known in Spain as «the empire of Garnacha». They also bust some wine myths and insult each other a little bit as per usual.
To celebrate our 10th podcast Luke and Roque turn to the home region of Madrid. They drink a red from Señorío de Val Azul, Fabio, and after a special report from the field, a white from Jesús Díaz e Hijos. Expect the usual drunken behaviour.
Roque and Luke enjoy a fine sunny autumn afternoon with a bottle of Puerto Alicante of Vicente Gandía wineries, a white Alicante Chardonnay from the 'bodega'. As well as typical nonsense they get the opinions of some special guests.
Happy Halloween! On this special edition of the Spanish Wine Experience podcast Roque and Luke head out into the vampire and ghoul-filled streets of Malasaña in Madrid hunting local wines of Madrid. Contents include: terrible accents, lots of wine, and mayhem.
This week we dive into the Manchegan giant Valdepeñas; not Luke's favourite region. We try with Corocovo 24 Barricas, from Megía e Hijos wineries. Will he be converted? Expect the usual banter and wine knowledge.
This week Luke and Roque drink and talk about Bierzo, the classy DO from Castilla León. They will try a bottle of Altos de San Clemente from Soto del Vicario wineries... will they like it? Don't miss it.
Luke and Roque take a voyage into the unknown this week. They head to the region of Asturias and try a fascinating wine from DO Cangas of the Monasterio de Corias winery. Expect the usual stupidity and banter as they head deep into untested wine waters.
Today Roque and Luke try the country's most popular and highly rated white. Albariño. Let's open a bottle of Marieta, part of the acclaimed Martin Codax family. And nonsense as usual.
On this podcast Roque and Luke wrestle with the bristling intensity yet sultry elegance of Toro; a land famous for big reds. Also...they make fun of each other as usual.
Today we record our podcast from La Taberna del León de Oro, right in the old city center of Madrid to talk about Valencia wines, Mala Vida, in particular, a blend of three different grapes as interesting as tasting. Don't miss today's episode, because we also talk about alligators.
On this episode we head northeast with a Pyrenean white wine from the region of Somontano and, of course, the usual expected silly banter.