How to create the best wine cellar

Bodegas Santalba wants to give you some pieces of advice about how to create the best wine cellar. You just have to follow some simple rules and the wine will develop in the best way to increase the qualilty during its ageing in bottle. 

- Temperature: Between 11ºC and 16ºC is the best temperature to give the wine a correct evolution. In case were bellow 11º the evolution will be very slowly and above 16º very fast..

- Humidity: Between 60% and 70%. In case were higher fungus will appear in the cork and bellow 60% the wine could be evaporated through the cork.

- Light: Keep the wine in a place with light enough to read the labels, as less as possible.

- Smell and air circulation: Keep the wine in a place with no strong smell like the kitchen or in contact with chemical products. Air circulation is a must to prevent fungus.

We hope you find it interesting and we will continue giving you recomendations and facts to use in your home and enjoy our family wines as better as possible! 

Barrel fermented wines - ABANDO

Whites and Roses have the possibility to be elaborated in a different and special way. Is the one, that we use for ABANDO white and rose barrel fermented and we are going to explain you the particular method for these wines.

The alcoholic fermentation is produced into the american oak barrels in case of ABANDO. Each winery can use a different kind of oak or from another origen. This make easier a natural temperature control during the fermentation (because there is a large cooling surface to small amount of liquid), an spontaneus clarification and a quick elimination of yeast, having a better assembly with the flavors provided by the oak. The result are wines structured and elegant with soft oak flavours.

For a perfect elaboration we have to do the “Bâtonage”, a french word that means blend or move the wine to mix it very well with the lees (yeast). The sediments will transmit to the wine flavours, texture, complexity and struture.

Finaly, we keep our ABANDO wines during aproximatly 6 months into the barrel. The result and conclusion are yours. An spectacular wine with a rich textura, excellent acidity, persistent tasty finish and with a strong structure. All these qualities will improve with a period of bottle-ageing. 

Photo exhibition "Landscape, Riojan culture and vineyards in Rioja Alta"

From last 2sd September to 15th we have in Bodegas Santalba an awsome picture exhibition about the  "Landscape, Riojan culture and vineyards in Rioja Alta' by Rafael López-Monné.

This exhibition will be present in different places and establishment member of Rioja Alta Route and it is also a perfect excuse to come and visit our winery located in hearth of this wine region, Gimileo. Remember that you should book your visit before and you can do it by phone (+34) 941 304 231 or send an email to santalba@santalba.com

Book your wine tour!

Flowering in the vineyards

When the warm weather finally arrived in early June, tempranillo vineyards bloomed and this is one of the most important moments during the vine period. Good weather and climate conditions are critical for quality and quantity. The flowering will be decisive to limite the number of grapes per bunch and the production of each vineyard.

Flowers are very small, light and like the other flowers, really weak. This part of the vine is the most delicated part of the plant and that is why we should be alert and following the blooming process.

Vinegrowers also have to prevent the posible diseases and make treatments to prevent bacterias and fungus. There are a lot of different kinds of products to prevent but in each moment we have to choose the best for the vine and in this case, the flower.

BRONZE MEDAL IN INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE

Last May took place the XXX edition of International Wine Challenge, one of the most important wine congress. In this annual competition, judges evaluate the wines with blind tastings and valued the variety character, region and harvest.

This year, the judges from all around the world, including prestigious Masters of Wine, tasted wines from 50 different countries. After the tastings, they gave the traditional awards from this competition.

Our wine Ermita de San Felices Crianza 2010 received the Bronze medal. For us, it is a huge honor and we really appreciate your mentions and greetings. This give us special energy to continue doing well and trying to improve everyday. Thanks for your support!

SILVER MEDAL TO VIÑA HERMOSA RESERVA

The last edition of Challenge International du Vin, celebrated in Bordeaux (France) and considers one of the most traditional Challenge of wine, our Viña Hermosa Reserva 2008 has been awarded with a SILVER medal.

This year more than 750 judges have tasted at least 4.000 different wines from 35 countries around the world.

We only have to say congratulations to our fantastic team and of course to our superb wine Viña Hermosa Reserva 2008 who add one more award!

If you want to read more about have a look to the tasting notes.

Custom your wine label for wedding gifts

Are you looking for your own label in this special day? Santalba can custom your label with your names, date or just your photo! Make this day the most memorable day in your life and create your personal label.

Enjoy all our wine range whites and rosés for cocktail and the best Crianzas, Reservas or Gran Reserva from Rioja with your own label.

Also you have different sizes 1,5l, 0,75l, 0,375l, 0,187l ..... because may be you want to enjoy the wine during the event or also give a present to your guests. You can decide what you want for your wedding day!

For further information send an email to santalba@santalba.com or ask on +34 941 304 231.

On Easter Holidays visit Santalba

During these days off, for sure you will have some days to visit Rioja and enjoy our beautiful landscapes and Easter traditions.

Panoramic view of Rioja landscape

                          

Rioja is a region full of plans and tours to do, so you can not miss this opportunity to know our place. Of course, you can discover our gastronomy, amazing food and dishes which you could pair with wonderfull wines from the DOCa. Rioja.

Also, you can visit wineries and learn something else about our traditions and roots and our know how to elaborate Rioja wine. Bodegas Santalba will be open for wine tours in the following dates and hours:

- 17th Thursday: Visit winery and vineyards 10:30 & 12:30

- 18th Friday: Visit winery and vineyards 11:30

- 19th Saturday: Visit winery and vineyards 11:30

- 20th Sunday: Visit winery and vineyards 12:00

- 21st Monday: Visit winery and vineyards 12:00


* Also, if you book it, taste of wines is available.

The rest of the days, the winery will be open during the day from 10:00 to 18:00. If you want to visit us, please, confirm your tour before you come sending an email to santalba@santalba.com or booking your visit on +34 941 304 231.

Rioja, a Designation with a long history and tradition

Rioja, our region, is a Denominación de Origen Calificada (D.O.C. Qualified designation of origin) with a huge variety of climates and relief, so that is why it is divided into three different subregions called:

-         Rioja Alta

-         Rioja Baja

-         Rioja Alavesa

Where winelovers will find different varieties and wine styles. Bodegas Santalba is located in Gimileo, heart of Rioja Alta.

Rioja Wine from the D.O.C. is identify because of its special labels which are numbered and each winery will have a limited number of them, depends on the grapes its harvest. Here you have some history about Rioja:

1787: The Real Economic Society of Cosecheros de Rioja is created to increase the wine market and vines cultivation.

1790: The first assembly is celebrated by the Real Economic Society of Cosecheros de Rioja.

1878: The first commission against the phylloxera is celebrated.

1892: The “Estación de Viticultura y Enología” in Haro is founded to control the wine quality.

1902: A new law to define the origin of Rioja wines is created.

1926: The Consejo Regulador is created to control as a supreme organism.

1991: The Designation of Origin starts to be Qualified "Rioja".

The best choice is if you visit us in Rioja and Bodegas Santalba, where we will show you the most beautiful landscapes, curiosities and rules we must follow to elaborate our specials Rioja wines, and you will have the marvelous possibility to taste some wine.

Peñin Guide points to Bodegas Santalba Rioja Wines

Year by year, after a huge effort it is fantastic to have a good feedback and get these fantastic points from Peñin Guide whom always gives to our wines wonderful positions in its classification:

Nabot Single Vineyard 2005

ERMITA DE SAN FELICES RESERVA 2008 - 88 POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

NABOT SINGLE VINEYARD 2005 - 89  POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

OGGA RESERVA 2008 - 90 POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

Santalba Limited Edition 2008

SANTALBA ECOLÓGICO RESVERATROL 2011 - 90 POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

SANTALBA LIMITED EDITION 2008 - 89 POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

VIÑA HERMOSA RESERVA 2008 - 88 POINTS

Click here for tasting notes

Thanks everybody to make this posible and please continue following our day by day!

Climate change in Rioja wines, fact or fiction?

Long time ago we wanted to try (or to check), if climate change is a reality in Rioja wines. Last year we were selecting some plots to develop a very interesting test. We wanted to compare the wine made from higher vineyards (always above 750 meters high), with the lower conventional wine (between 350 and 500 meters). To give even more character to this particular wine, we just went ahead only with which the ones that were facing north. We were trying to give to the wine cooler temperatures, less hours of sunshine annually and important thermal gradient between night and day. With these conditions, the plots really were micro -plots, fairly old and with very low production of grapes. So, we created the SANTALBA COTAS ALTAS (or in english, SANTALBA HIGH TOPS).

Wine made from grapes from Tempranillo (60%) and Grenache (40 %), from micro-plots situated on slopes at high altitude and north facing. The slow ripening of the grapes gives this wine fresh and fruity aromas, light body and low alcohol content (more information here) .

Wine process - Part III

After this alcoholic fermentation and as we have been talking about, wine should have another fermentation called Malolactic fermentation. This point of fermentations is really important and a decisive aspect for the final result.

This process is done when the malic acid turn into lactic acid because of the lactic bacteria. During the process there is a very important emission of carbonic gas, and that is why the winery and the elaboration area has a very modern and sophisticated alarm system to detect the carbonic level and, just in case, get it out from the winery.

This fermentation is also called Secundary fermentation.

Temperature control panel

The malolactic fermentation effects are the depletion of the total acidity because part of it turned it into carbonic gas. This gas is lost and detached during the process.

The acid malic fermentation is caused because of the development of the lactic bacteria located in the ripe grape skin.

In Bodegas Santalba, fermentations are controlled and supervised by a very modern and innovative temperature control system where a panel tell us how is working each tank and if necessary send cold or hot in each moment.

When this stage is concluded we have different options to continue the wine process until the wine will be in our cups... keep and eye and we will continue soon

Wine process - Part II

We continue with the wine process and as we told you in our last post, with the FERMENTATION, one of the most important points during the elaboration process.

The grape juice needs to overcome two different fermentations, the alcoholic and the malolactic.

ALCOHOLIC FERMENTATION
The alcoholic fermentation is the process when the sugar turns into alcohol.
That is with are needed the yeasts, microorganism that we can find naturally in the grape skin (kind of white dust you can find out side the grape skin).

The oxigen is the responsable to start this fermentation, because of the yeasts need it in their growth period.
However, at the end of the fermentation the quantity of oxigen must be smaller to keep the ethyl alcohol and get the acetic acid. 

From the alcoholic fermentation, we obtain heat energy and we have to control the temperature because if it increase too much,(25-30 ºC) the yeasts could die and the fermentation will be stooped.

Another product from the alcoholic fermentation is the gas, carbon dioxide and it cause the bubbles and the boiling effect, and of course the characteristic aroma from the fermentation. There is a video from our tanks during this period, it is amazing! More than 30.000 litres... 

                       
This boiling effect makes the grape skins go to the top of the tank (solids) and create the "hat". This "hat" protect the grape juice from bacteria and another microorganism from the skin and also is from we get the tanins and the color, aromas and  another susbtances like Resveratrol located in the skin.

Wine process - Part I

After to show this grafic on our Social Networks, some friends have been asking about it and that is why we want to explain you our "know how" of Rioja Wine Process. We hope you will enjoy it and please, if you have any question, ask us

As you know, all the process starts in the vineyards, after the hard work done during the year around the 10th of October, the HARVEST starts in Bodegas Santalba. Depends on the year, the climate for example will be an important factor to get different quality. The Consejo Regulador from D.O.Ca. Rioja will calificate the harvest after some tests and facts as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory and Average.

All the grapes are not from the same vine and vineyard, so they will have different features. For example, if they come from very old vineyards, like the grapes we use for our Santalba Single Vineyard (http://www.santalba.com/vinos/?acc=vinos&fam=8&idv=17&idc=8 ) they will have "special" characteristis to survive a long ageing process into the barrels and bottles. That is why not every year we have these special wines. 

 In the picture above the text, you can see the grape process falling down into the machine,  where the grapes will be separated the fruit from the "green" part by the destemmer. The green part will be rejected and the grape, quite broken goes to the tanks where the grape juice in touch with the grapes will do the maceration.
After this, we send the grapes to the press. This process now is done by very modern machines but the traditional way to press the grapes were like the picture, done by people in half barrels, just walking above them. 

Now starts a very important moment in the wine process the FERMENTATION. We have two different the ALCHOLIC and the MALOLACTIC and we will explain the differences between them soon.

The prune - Working hard at the vineyards

In Bodegas Santalba the pruning and the pre-pruning are done to increase the quality of the grapes and also to make longer the vines life. .It will reduce the veg part of the plant so the growth and yields will be limited to get better results and  improve the wine quality.

 

Pruning at the vineyard



This is a very important point to obtain quality wines, because we can not forget that all the wine process start at the vineyards, so the hard work and care that we have now with the vines will be tralate into wine quality and atributes.


The grape quantity is not related with the green part or vegetable growth of the vines. If the vines have lots of fruits they will have a small size and will be really diffcult their maturation, so again, the quality will be affected.

The prune - In the traditional way with a modern scissor

 

In general, the vines can grow more than 30 meter high so from the prune we get the "sarmientos" and we will use them for BBQ as wood, they are great to cook Lamb chops (very tipycal from Rioja). Only the buds located at the end of the branches where the sap is, will be the ones that will improve, the others near the trunk will not sprout.



The prune objetive is to reduce the number of branches and the length to make the vine stronger, with a longer life and improving the quality of the fruits.

TASTING COURSE VI - BODEGAS SANTALBA

SENSE OF TOUCH

With the wine into the mouth you can have two different sensations:

 

Active, which is located in the tongue and pasive, located in the lips and cheeks.

The astringency (dry and rough sensation), the temperature that the alcohol couse into de mouth ot the spicy flavour are touch reactions when we are tasting wine.

The most important is the astringency because it cause a worse result tasting the wines.

SENSE OF EAR

This one is the less important but it can give us lot of information during the tasting, for example the sound when the wine goes into the glass confirm us some other sensations from other senses like the density.

After this, as we explain at the beginning of the course, the most important is to practice and train the senses with easy examples and start getting knoledges, you will see with time your progress.

TASTING COURSE V - BODEGAS SANTALBA

Hi Friends! After some time without posts now we restart full of energy with our tasting course. We are going to explain you two senses today: smell & taste. Both are extremely important in the tasting process and give us information to say i like or i do not like this wine so... LET'S GO :)

SENSE OF SMELL

This sense give us information about the grape variety, winemaking process and ageing, barrels (oak) and evolution. As you know in the smell sense we have two kinds of information gived by the nose and the retronasal the part between the mouth and the nose

We will need two different words aroma if we speak about positive sensations smell for the negative ones.

 

First, through the nose we have the primary aromas and the inhalation is with the still wine or after shake it turning it slightly.

On a second step, we have to shake it more and we will have more aromas, the secundary aromas, from the fermentation.

Primary aromas from the grape and could be:

•  FRUTY:

White wine:: Orange, lemon, moscato

Red wine: Blackberry, cherry, raspery, ...

•  FLORAL:

Violet, rose, pine...

•  VEGETABLES: 

Rosemary, pine, green pepper...

Secundary aromas, will be produced in the fermentation process and they are inhalated when we shake strong the wine and through the retronasal. Some of them are saffron, pineapple, pear, apple, peach, strawberry, honey, ...

 

 

 

 

The terciary aromas, are produced during the ageing time knowed as BOUQUET and we have :

From Oxidation because of the contact between oak during its time into the barrel and the ageing into the bottle because of the NO oxigen in this period. Some of them are vanila, mushroom, toasted bread, nuts, cacao, coffe, caramel...

 

 

DO YOU KNOW THE MEANING OF "ENVERO"??

In our vineyards in La Rioja-Spain, some time ago we could watch the "envero". It is a term used in viticulture referred to one of the most important stages in the grapes ripening. Basically it´s a change in the color; the red varieties change into a bluish color, and white ones turn yellow.

This change represents a transition to the end of the ripening, it takes place in the summer and can be considered the beginning of a countdown when we can start thinking about the harvest. That countdown  depends on grape varieties, climates and weather conditions. Grapes, as they grow on the vine, are undergoing morphological and physiological changes that allow them to accumulate substances such as sugars and acids, primary aromas and some phenolic compounds that are the responsible of the color, taste and structure of wines.

Not much time ago, winegrowers tasted grapes from the vines after "envero". Valuing the sweetness and the  acidity decreasing in grapes, they decided the best moment for harvest. Today, even without despising this technique, we can check acidity and sugar content in grape and we are able to decide more accurately, parcel by parcel, the begining for the harvest every year.

TASTING COURSE IV - BODEGAS SANTALBA

 

We continue with our tasting course and we will try to be a professional sommelier.

In this point we will go step by step, sense by sense analyzing the wine

Depends on the experience each one can choose the best order and follow its own routines:

Sight eye, Smell, Taste, Touch and Hearing Senses

Sight eye

It is the first sense, and we look 3 important characteristics: Colour, Intensity and cleanliness.

The wine should be looked in the glass, first settle and through the light trying to appreciate the cleanliness, colour and brightness…

Later round the glass and look the wine, a fluid wine is like water and a dense one like syrup.

After shake it, we will see “tears” on the glass’s wall and this will be more or less alcoholic % and glycerine content, very relevant in this part of the tasting.

The Colour should be analyzed tilting the glass 45º and above a white background to see better the colours. The colour is very close to the age of the wine. If lighter and brown it is older than blues and violet.

Have a look to the different colours depends on the age:

The cleanliness depends on the transparency of a wine and the decants, clarified and filtered.

We will continue soon with another sense and different points to be a professional sommelier and to do a taste with friends!

Cheers!