Need Help Finding the right wine?
Your personal wine consultant will assist you with buying, managing your collection, investing in wine, entertaining and more.
By continuing, you agree to our privacy policy, consent to cookies, and confirm you are 21 or older.
I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.
YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO CONTINUE
NYC, Long Island and The Hamptons Receive Free Delivery on Orders $300+
Refer Your Friends & Earn Referral Bonuses!
Checkout using your account
Checkout as a new customer
Creating an account has many benefits:
2021 Vina Zorzal Garnacha Blanca
93 RP
Robert Parker | 93 RP
Type of Wine |
Spain White
: Spanish white wines are as outstanding as the red ones. Plenty of grape varieties planted in Spain have Spanish origin, such as Verdejo or Godello, as well as the crispy Albarino with its powerful aromas. Palomino, Airen, and Albillo are also commonly used in different blends, with Albillo being prevalent in Madrid. |
---|---|
Varietal |
Grenache Blanc
: The world of wine is vast and complex, wondrous, fascinating and somewhat baffling. The how and why certain varietals either prosper or fail in winegrowing regions around the world is interesting; varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon thrive in extremely gravely soils, while Merlot finds success in rich clay. The Grenache grape variety is no exception. It excels in some of the most “inhospitable” soils and climates. It seems adaptable to harsher climates and terroir and when at its best can produce one of the most concentrated and alcohol laden wines. Another mystical feat is that Grenache Blanc shares the same DNA profile, has similar characteristics, but produces an entirely different type of wine. Grenache Blanc is actually a light skinned mutation of Grenache Noir (or simply Grenache). The variety is believed to have originated in the northeastern Spanish province of Aragon, where it is known as Garnacha Blanca. However, the variety is better known for its contributions to the appellation of Chateauneuf-Du-Pape, where it has blossomed into a star component in the making of the region’s famous white wines; to which it adds texture and a luscious mouthfeel along with floral aromas. The variety also plays an important role in the winemaking appellations of Cotes-Du-Rhone and Languedoc-Roussillon, where the varietal is quite popular and accounts for 50% of all Grenache Blanc vines planted in France, which is an impressive 90,000 hectares. The variety produces small green berries, which turn a beautiful, deep-golden color when ripe. The berries grow in medium-sized compact bunches, which grow on sturdy vines that can tolerate heat, drought and rocky, barren soil. The root system is vigorous in these types of soil, desperately exploring the rocky terrain for water and in return developing extremely concentrated and flavorful grapes. The variety thrives in the hot, dry and often windy conditions that are found in the Southern Rhone Valley. Its drought resistant quality contributes to its success in Roussillon, where it can get quite hot during summer months with little rainfall. The terroir is generally composed of sand, limestone and clay, but when examined further; the soil and subsoil can vary greatly depending on location within the appellations. The western part of Chateauneuf-du-Pape has sand and clay soil, covered with large stones on the plateaus. Mixed sand, red and grey clay and limestone inhabit the northern part of the appellation, while less stony soil alternating with marl in the east and shallow sand and clay soil on a well-drained layer of gravel in the south. The large pebbles contribute to the quality of the vines and grapes by storing heat during the day and holding water. Given the reflective nature of the varietal, the resulting wine can vary and ultimately express each individual growing district. The varietal’s birthplace and most of Spain’s winegrowing regions have, of course, enjoyed great success with Grenache Blanc (Garnacha Blanca), where the varietal thrives in its natural elements of the hot and windy Mediterranean valleys. It ripens late with a long hang-time, so it needs hot, dry conditions. The long and deep roots are well suited to water stress, allowing for super concentrated flavors and aromas, especially with old vines. Spain has some of the finest Garnacha offerings as well as some of the least expensive in the world. At its best Grenache Blanc produces a delicious full-bodied wine that’s typically vinified dry. In the glass, it’s straw-colored amid hints of green and aromas of toasted nuts, cumin, nutmeg, dill, and anise. Fresh underbrush raises to white flowers, yellow peach, lychee, tangerine, and subtle minerality. Its aromatics carry through to its taste, with medium to high alcohol, and can have a creamy texture when aged on its lees. The variety has traveled well and is now taking part in the California Rhone Ranger (despite having originated in Spain) movement where it is being implemented in both blended and varietal examples, most notably in San Luis Obispo and the Central Coast. While still a generous contributor to blend wines wherever planted, when vinified alone, it’s usually made dry, varying widely from lightly flavored, mineral-infused expressions to lush and dense. It has become an interesting and unique alternative to nation’s beloved Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. The incredible adaptability to areas of such inhospitable, dry and infertile soils is a mystical quality of Grenache Blanc. Its reflective qualities allow the grapes to expresses the terroir through the wine itself. From Chateauneuf-Du-Pape (whites) where it is one of the thirteen permitted grape varietals, to Priorat where the varietal examples are rich and concentrated to the coast of California, where Grenache Blanc is becoming a popular expression of Spanish and Rhone influence, cultivated in California dirt. |
Country |
Spain
: Grapevines have been cultivated on the Iberian Peninsula for thousands of years, making Spain one of the oldest wine producing countries on earth. With nearly 1 million hectares under vine, Spain is in possession of more grapevines that any other nation in the world. Today, vineyard cultivation takes place in virtually every administrative district, making it a leading producer on today’s market. Spain’s vineyards generate an annual wine output of 40.7 million hectoliters, ranking it third in the world behind only France and Italy. Spain is a land of breathtaking beauty, diverse topography, complex cultures and a time honored tradition of viticulture. The country’s broad geographical values play a major role in defining the many wine styles produced. From the cool climes of Galicia and the snow-capped Pyrenees to arid Andalucía in the south, and every region in between the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts, Spain boasts one of the most diverse terroirs in the world. The country’s myriad of soils and complex climate systems creates an expansive planting ground for a multitude of varietals. Tempranillo has long played an instrumental role in Spanish winemaking. It is important to note that of the 236,000 hectares being cultivated world-wide, 202,000 are planted in Spain. It is commonly utilized in the production of still red wines from Rioja, Ribera del Duero and Toro and has taken the world by storm. In the past few decades, wines produced in Rioja have been some of the most popular, and in 2017, wines with a “Rioja” label were the most purchased on the wine market. Bodegas Vega Sicilia, located in Ribera del Duero in northern Spain has been one of the most sought after producers hailing from Spain, and Tinta de Toro (otherwise known as Tempranillo everywhere else) has certainly placed its mark on the region and the world. Spain is also renowned for its production of sweet, raisened Moscatel, fortified Madeira, sparkling Cava and its rising, but shining star, Albarino, which hails from the Rias Baixas appellation of Galicia. Some of the most recognizable names in the world of wine hail from Spain. In the past few decades there has been a collision of New and Old World winemaking; one which has greatly contributed to the continued success of the Spanish wine industry. Modernization of vineyards, facilities and viticulture has greatly improved the significance of Spain in the wine market. Syrah and Merlot have taken root in Spanish wine regions and combined with the indigenous Garnacha (Grenache) Garnacha Blanca (Grenache Blanc), Godello and many others, the country has not only adapted to new styles of winemaking but also the ever changing palate of consumers. |
Region |
Navarra
: Have you ever tasted a rose so wonderfully enchanting that you forgot what you were worried about before you took a sip? Zesty, intoxicating with perfume, packed with layered fruit, this blushing elixir was once the single specialty of Navarra. Garnacha rosado (rose) is still held in high esteem internationally. However, after lots of hard work and dedication, this region now proudly exhibits a spread of majestic red wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Merlot are the most prominent varieties across the five sub-regions that cultivate them in the Mediterranean climate. Tempranillo-based wines are now considered Navarra's crowning jewel, their dark, concentrated, bold qualities setting the trend for the others to follow. Navarra's set to make the heartiest, richest yet most elegant reds it possibly can, and the results now speak for themselves. After such a long time in the shadow of superior wines from Rioja, these fascinating wines have risen with newfound energy and can hardly be rivaled. Any connoisseur worthy of their name holds a bottle or two of Navarra's finest. These are the bottles that can be carried to the ends of the world like a trusted companion. Reserve one for yourself and never again be caught unprepared! |
Producer | Vina Zorzal |
---|
Need Help Finding the right wine?
Your personal wine consultant will assist you with buying, managing your collection, investing in wine, entertaining and more.