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Wine Region Designations

Spanish wine laws created the Denominación de Origen (DO) system in 1932 and were later revised in 1970. The system shares many similarities with the hierarchical Appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) system of France and Italy’s Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) system.As of 2007, there was 67 DOs across Spain.

D.O. (Denominación de Origen) This level is for the mainstream quality- wine regions and are regulated by the Consejo Regulador who is also responsible for marketing the wines of that DO. In 2005, nearly two thirds of the total vineyard area in Spain was within the boundaries a DO region.

D.O.C. & D.O.Q. (Denominación de Origen Calificada, Denominació d’Origen Qualificada in Catalan) These designations, are similar to Italy’s D.O.C.G. designation, is for regions with a track record of consistent quality and is meant to be a step above DO level. Rioja was the first region afforded this designation in 1991 and was followed by Priorat in 2003, and Ribera del Duero in 2008.

1. D.O.C. La Rioja “La Rioja” has always been a vital part of Spain’s history. Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors, and finally, medieval Crusaders have all played a part in the area’s history. The Romans, however, made wine a part of their culture wherever they traveled, and Rioja was no exception. Ancient sites of Roman wineries still exist in and around the area today. Today, Rioja is divided into three regions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa, and Rioja Baja. Rioja Alta is composed primarily of alluvial soil, calcareous clay and ferruginous clay. As the name suggests, much of this area is in higher altitudes. Approximately 45,000 acres. The Rioja Alavesa terrain is “terraced” and consists mostly of limestone and clay. Approximately 25,000 acres. The Rioja Baja is comprised of alluvial clay with large areas of ferruginous and calcareous clay. Generally wines from the Baja have a higher alcohol content. Approximately 37,000 acres.

2. D.O. Cava (Penedes) According to archaeological evidence (some of which is on display in Vilafranca’s Wine Museum) wine production in the Penedès has ancient origins, certainly dating back to the Phoenician introduction of Chardonnay vines during the 6th century BC. A large export market is known to have existed even through Moorish occupation in the Middle Ages. Eighteenth century Spanish expansion into South America generated an unprecedented demand for Penedès wines which has barely abated since. Whereas a largely Mediterranean climate prevails, the Penedès enjoys a wide variety of micro-climates, due to the proximity of the coast and a varied terrain ranging from sea level to over 800m. Coastal areas are hot and dry, while upland vineyards are much more prone to frosts, with some areas recording annual rainfall of up to 900l/m².

3. D.O.Q. Priorat The first recorded evidence of grape growing and wine production dates from the 12th century, when the monks from the Monastery of Scala Dei, founded in 1163, introduced the art of viticulture. The monks tended the vineyards for centuries until 1835 when they were expropriated by the state, and distributed to smallholders. The area is of volcanic origin which confers interesting characteristics to the soil. The basis (called llicorella in Catalán) comprises reddish and black slate with small particles of mica, which reflects the sunlight and conserves heat. The 50 cm thick topsoil is formed of decomposed slate and mica. These characteristics force the roots of the vines to reach the base for water, nutrition and minerals. These soil characteristics confer special quality to the wine and keep the vines firmly anchored to the earth during the strong winds and storms which are common to the area.

4. D.O. Utiel-Requena Archaeological finds in ancient Iberian settlements such as the one at Kelin show that grape growing and wine production in the area dates from at least the 7th century BC. In the 1st century BC, the ancient Romans, after defeating the Carthaginians, settled the area and introduced new wine making techniques. During the Moorish dominion of the Iberian Peninsula, wine production was tolerated, even though it was forbidden by the Koran. The first written references to vineyards and wine date from the 15th century. During the course of the 17th and 18th centuries, population and the areas under vineyards increased, and some distilleries are known to have operated. The climate is not only continental (long hot, dry summers and cold winters) but one of the most severe of all the Spanish grape growing regions. Frosts and hailstones are frequent in winter and drought common in summer. Temperatures can reach a maximum of 40°C in summer and drop to a minimum of -10°C in winter. Nevertheless, the vines are well adapted to such a climate and there is a Mediterranean influence due to the closeness of the sea (only 70 km as the crow flies) and the cool wind, known as the Solano, helps to keep temperatures down.

5. D.O. Ribera Del Jucar Grapes have been grown and wine produced in this area for centuries but DO status was acquired only in 2003, making Ribera de Júcar the youngest DO in Spain. The climate is Mediterranean continental with sharp contrasts between summer and winter temperatures. The average temperature is 24°C in summer and 5°C in winter. Rainfall is sparse, around 350 mm/year.

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Capcanes Cabernet Sauvignon Peraj Petita 2005
Appellation - Montsant, Spain
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Winemaker's Notes - Medium ruby with flucks of violet; fresh, seductive aromas of red berries and cherry; loads of red fruits in taste; crispy and ripe, concentrated and well-balenced but not over-powered; very Garnacha in caracter and mineral in taste; fruit + minerality plus some elegant Glycerin-sweetness; medium finish with crispy but soft tannins, and nicely fresh. Best drinking from now on over the next 3 years

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full-flavored dishes of beef, veal or chicken

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 14%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

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Capcanes Cabernet Sauvignon Peraj Ha'abib 2005
Appellation - Montsant, Spain
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Winemaker's Notes - Dark, full satured red; Black cherry; vibrant, bright aromas of cherry, plums, currant; toasty; coffee, mokka; rich copious cherry fruit; exhuberant small black berry flavours, very intensive dark fruit caracter; complex but elegant, full-bodied; ripe but soft tannins; ripe sweetness in aftertast; well balanced acidity; mineral caracter; with an serious ageing potential

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full-flavored dishes of beef, veal or chicken

Bottles/Case - 6
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Sintonia Sangria
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Made in the traditional ways from Spanish red wine and natural fine fruit juices. Serve well chilled

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Enjoy with meats and pasta dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 7%

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Adar 2005
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - 28% Syrah (26 year old vines), 26% Bobal (30 years) 24% Merlot (20 years), 22% Cabernet Sauvignon (28 years). Ruby-red. Fresh blackberry and blackcurrant aromas are expansive and strikingly pure. A deeply concentrated blend, offering sweet, sappy dark fruit preserve flavors, silky tannins and refreshing mineral snap. The purity of fruit here is quite alluring, and carries impressively through the finish.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 14.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Adar Cava Brut
Appellation - Cava
Style - Dry Sparkling

Tasting Notes - Bubbly, and dry with flowers, citrus and strawberry notes on the palate. The wine is a blend of local grape varieties: Perellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo. The second fermentation takes place in the bottle; the wines are aged for 12 months in the bottle.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations -

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 11.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

MEVUSHAL!

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Elvi Clasico 2008
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style -

Tasting Notes - 87% Tempranillo, 13% Merlot. Red fruits, silky tannins, very fruity, easy drinking, pleasant wine

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13.5%

Awards -

New Release!

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Eliv EL26 2005
Appellation - Priorat
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - An elegant wine with an extraordinary complexity and long finish. Full-bodied, mineral and fruity, showing a good integration of wood, white pepper and cigar tobacco, leading into near-sweet purple plum and berry fruits.

Reviews - Merlot 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Carinyena 25%, Garnatxa 10%, Syrah 10%. Anaerobic vinification and continuous movements in a closed system. 15 months aging in new French oak tanks. Bottled in November 2007. Released after 6 months in bottle

Food Pairing Recommendations -

Bottles/Case - 6
Bottle Size - 750ml

Also available in 1-1.5L

Alc. by Volume - 14.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi EL26 2005
Appellation - Priorat
Style - Sweet Red

Tasting Notes - Very fruity, well balanced with a long finish and silky tannins. The purity of the fruits is alluring and carries impressively through the finish. A deeply concentrated blend, offering sweet and dark fruit, fresh blackberry and black currant aroma.

Reviews - Naturaly sweet wine with no addition of alcohol or sugar. Fresh grapes collected at a late harvest with 25° probable alcohol content (sugar). The process consists of anaerobic vinification and continuous movements in a closed system. 15 months aging in tanks. Bottled in November 2007. Released after 6 months in bottle.

Food Pairing Recommendations -

Bottles/Case - 6
Bottle Size - 500ml
Alc. by Volume - %
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Makor 2007
Appellation - Utiel-Requena
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - An execptional wine, with emphasis on the Bobal local grape. Dark ruby/purple-colored, it offers scents of dried raisins and blackberries. On the palate the wine is intense and ripe; very fruity, well balanced and original.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 14%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Rioja Matiz Crianza 2007
Appellation - Rioja
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - On the palate the wine is intense, ripe, with a long finish and a full body, with a hint of herbs & cassis. The Matiz Crianza has been aged for 14 months in oak. For the DOC (appellation) RIOJA, a crianza wine needs at least 12 months aged in oak.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Rioja Matiz 2008
Appellation - Rioja
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - On the palate the wine is intense, ripe, with a long finish and a full body, with a hint of herbs & cassis.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Ness 2007
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - 25% Tempranillo, 32% Bobal, 39% Merlot, 4% Cab Sauv. Amber/red. Smoky red currant, and strawberry aromas are complicated by incense and musky underbrush with dried rose flavors

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full-flavored dishes of beef, veal or chicken

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Ness Blanco 2008
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style - Semi-Dry White

Tasting Notes - 50% Sauv Blanc, 50% Moscatel. Tropical scents and a slight herbality finishing with pleasantly refreshing acidity

Reviews - With the implementation of the cutting edge viticulture and winemaking techniques developed by ELVI wines in Priorat, this wine achieved a superb structure and finesse that exemplifies the potential for quality of that appellation. ELVI wines is dedicated to the improvement of Mediterranean style wines with local varieties.

Food Pairing Recommendations - Asian dishes and spicy foods.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Release!

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Elvi Vina Encina 2007
Appellation - Ribera Del Jucar
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - 28% Bobal, 26% Tempranillo, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot. A complex wine, full bodied, soft oak and silky grape tannins.

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Full flavored beef, as well as grilled or saucy chicken dishes.

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 14%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

New Vintage! (Mevushal)

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Ramon Cardova Rioja 2007
Appellation - Rioja, Spain
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Dark berry, oak and nutmeg aromas with delicious spicy and fruity flavor

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Spicy chicken, oriental food, full-flavored meats

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 13%

Awards -

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Ramon Cardova Rioja Blanco 2003
Appellation - Rioja, Spain
Style - Dry White

Tasting Notes - Delicate aroma, with slight hints of oak and exotic fruits; dry, yet fresh and vibrant

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Medium flavored chicken or fish dishes

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 12%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

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Ramon Cardova Crianza 2002
Appellation - Rioja, Spain
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Opaque purple color, aromas of melted chocolate, roasted meats, jammy black fruits, and spice; well-endowed, full-bodied wine of remarkable richness and intensity

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Spicy or full-flavored chicken or veal dishes

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 12.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

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Ramon Cardova Rioja Reserva 2001
Appellation - Rioja, Spain
Style - Dry Red

Tasting Notes - Deep cherry red color, with aromas of cocoa, coffee, and hints of fruit, ending with a complex finish of subtle, lingering roasted chestnuts

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Smoked cheeses, beef, and rice dishes

Bottles/Case - 6
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 12.5%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

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Tio Pepe Kosher Sherry Palomino Fino
Appellation - Spain
Style - Dry White

Tasting Notes - Dry, high alcohol, crisp and smooth with mineral notes

Reviews -

Food Pairing Recommendations - Salads, cheeses, meat, turkey, veal and chicken or as an aperitif

Bottles/Case - 12
Bottle Size - 750ml
Alc. by Volume - 15%
Mevushal - No

Awards -

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