Torres Wine Tasting

Fine Wines Direct UK are based in Cardiff, our recent visit coincided with their Torres Wine Tasting Evening and as we have been trying to attend one of their tastings for quite a while it was a perfect opportunity. Their range of wine is superb with a well stocked shop and a very inviting tasting area with seating around glass topped barrels. 

On arrival we were welcomed by a glass of bubbles; Vardon Kennet 2014 full of brioche, honey and nutty flavours. Made from 60% Pinot Noir, 34% Chardonnay and 6% Xarel-lo in the traditional method this wine has a minimum of 36 months in the bottle. 

Familia Torres dating back to 1870, is a fifth generation Spanish wine family producing a variety of wines focusing on wine origins, traditions, natural production and sustainability. Daniel Vardon Kennett was the original owner of an old farmhouse in Mediona and after being a sea farer in the early 19th century he settled on the land an began producing wine. Familia Torres upon purchasing the vineyard honoured the name of it's first producer with this superb bottle of sparkling wine including the seashell design of the bottle giving a nod to Daniel's past. 

Our host for the evening was Alex who had so much knowledge of Familia Torres, the locations, climates and each wine. Learning about the background of a wine is as important as it's aroma and flavour, I feel it adds more to the wine and my appreciation. I made so many notes on each wine and Alex's details really gave insight to each bottle. 

Our first white wine was Pazo das Bruxas Albarino, Rias Baixas 2023. This wine's name means farmhouse of the witches used to represent the folklore of Galicia when witches danced around making spells and conjuring spirits. Familia Torres are as passionate in their winemaking as the witches in their dancing and decided on this name to reflex this.

An aroma of pear drops was my first impression of this wine followed by flavours of apples with an edge of minerality. It was quite a complex wine with a slight trace of bubbles in its medium finish. These grapes are grown on high trellises to allow more Atlantic breeze through the vines thus helping to prevent mildew. 

Our second white highlighted Famillia Torres endeavours to bring lost grape varieties back into production. Miguel Torres, 4th Generation, and his son are working in Penedés to produce great wine from these ancient varieties, in Clos Ancestral Blanco 2023  Forcada is one such grape blended with Xarel-lo.

I haven't focused on Spanish wine previously so this wine was very new to me with its floral aromas and crisp acidic taste. Although |I enjoyed my glass of this ancestral wine \I would have like a little more length and body as it was quite a light drinker. 

Lightness is certainly not a description of our final white, made from 100% Forcado this wine was fresh, crisp, buttery, very smooth with a delicious long finish. A very fine wine which was reflected in its price of £49.99. 

Forcado grape was only discovered 40 years ago and is now an approved Penedés appellation. These vines are grown at between 500m and 700m above sea levels taking advantage of the warm sun and Mediterranean breeze. This wine, a 2021 vintage,  was superb, a real treat to taste this unique grape and its complex flavours.

To accompany our Spanish wines Fine Wines Direct offered a delicious light buffet of regional cheeses, meats and nutty bread, all perfect pairing to the wines in particular the Manchengo matured cheese with Forcada wine.

Our three red wines were a new experience to me, as I mentioned before I have not tasted many Spanish wines mainly because I struggle with the Tempranillo which was one of the grapes in our first red, Clos Ancestral Tinto 2022. An equal blend with Grenacha this wine is aged in oak for 10 months using second fill barrels giving a lighter oak notes and less vanilla.  It had light tannins with full fruit flavours, a fresh red that did surprise me. 

There are times when Purgatori can be good, and this was one of those moments. Alex intrigued us with the story of this wine; based on the Benedictine monks and the Abbey of Monserrat building L'Aranyo in a barren area where disobedient monks worked the land. These monks found that although barren land it was perfect for growing vines and making wine. During the winemaking times it was said some barrels disappeared, explained away by saying it was the angels' share.

Purgatori, Costers del Segre 2021 has been in new oak barrels for 12 months developing the wines spicy edge and richness. Made from Carinena and Grenacha grown in harsh conditions with extreme heat and cold this wine has a delicious depth to its flavours and was my favourite of the evening. 

Our final wine of what was a super evening was Salmos, Priorat 2020. A wine from Catalonia grown on very steep terraces in again a harsh terroir. Carinena and Grancha grapes are used in this wine of which 70% is matured for 14 months in French oak barrels, of which 20% are new oak. 

Priorat was, to me, quite similar to Rioja and not a wine for me, however my fellow tasters really enjoyed this wine which was full of dark fruit, spice and delivered a smoky edge.  

It was an absolutely superb evening, finally visiting a Fine Wines Direct tasting and learning about Familia Torres and Spanish wine. Thank you to everyone involved especially to Alex.