Spain in your glass, February 2023. False friends and rarities

 

 

Horticultural Halls, London

 

Our write-up of 'Spain in a glass' breaks records for lateness for which we apologise. The fact that we're writing it now, over a year since it took place is a token of its merit.

Yet again there were hidden gems to be discovered. Spain doesn't trumpet these so it's for us to do so.

Along the way there were quite a few 'false friends.' Familiar grapes such as Graciano named after a synonym - in that case Merenzao.

Here they are:

 

False Friends

It's easy to get caught out. We regard it as a professional risk so it's good to be aware since wine merchants often don't know or try to palm you off with something purporting to be unique whan it is just a common variety such as Tintilla de Rota/Graciano.

 

Rufete Blanco = Verdejo Sorrano (itself a rarity).

Merenzao = Trousseau

 

 

Tintilla de Rota = Graciano

 

 

Listan Blanco = Palomino Fino

 

 

Brujidera = Marufo

Tardana = Planta Nova 

Tortozon = Planta Nova

 

Trincadeira Preta = Trincadeira 

 

Tinto Velasco = (sometimes) Alicante Henri Bouschet

Rarities

At 'Spain in a glass' there were some genuine rarities: 

Marmajuelo

 

Vidadillo (almost extinct)

 

Moravia Agria