Since Roman times, Madrid and its mountainous surroundings have been cultivated with grapes. The climate is continental, quite hot summers, equally cold winters and it is this stressful succession of seasons that makes the area a good spot for wine grape-growing. The growers here adapted to these slightly harsher conditions by bringing in the sturdy Garnacha, the lesser known Albillo or the ubiquitous Tempranillo, Airen and even the Syrah. The key to success here is altitude and soil. Enough height so that the hot summers get that cool breeze, good heat retention in the soil so that the cold nights give some warmth back to the vines.

We recently got on our shelves a few of the wines from this up and coming area , and would love for you to try some. The white, Daniel Ramos, Albillo Real 2014 comes from the Serra de Gredos, high up in the mountains south of Madrid. It is hand harvested from 90 year old vines, macerated for 3 days and then naturally fermented in french oak barrels. Rich and slight funky, retains a lovely balance of acidity and fruit to suit food matching but also to be drunk on its own. Lots of roasted white fruits, lemon preserve and a dry herb lingering through. Again from Daniel Ramos, Kappi Amphorae, Garnacha 2015 is harvested from 60 year old vines and then is traditionally fermented in very large clay amphorae, as probably the Romans did millennia ago.It goes through a very slow fermentation, which is key here in bringing out the flavors. The vibrant red & black forest fruits are complemented by a mixture of slight funky herbs, endemic spices and its complexity is only outmatched by the long, swirling finish. Daniel Gomez Jimenez-Landi,Las Uvas de la Ira,2014 is another stunning example from the Serra de Gredos, this one being harvested from parcels of old vine Garnacha at altitudes above 800m, a true mountain-climber. The Garnacha here is almost unrecognisable from the general characteristics of the grape. We get a beautiful, elegant wine, full of roasty red fruits, aromatic yet still subdued, complex yet direct and complemented by a just right acidity. There is still a slight rusticity, perhaps it comes with the terroir of the region, but its elegance is providing you with an almost sinful experience (of finishing the bottle in one go ). Last but not least, we have Bodega Maranones, Treintamil Maravedies, 2014 . This stunning example of Garnacha (90%) and a few other local varieties is coming through with a bold red & bramble fruit, rustic elements of spice and an aromatic herb reminiscent of the kitchens in Roman times. With a backbone of vibrant acidity and a somewhat elegant finish, it will match a great variety of meat platters or even something like a rich paella.

We recommend these wines wholeheartedly , bringing with them the flavors and even textures of perhaps millennia ago.

Come in and chat with us about them at any point in our shops .

Raz