2023 Gil Family Estates Can Blau El Nen del Celler

DO. Cataluña is special because it is the first province-encompassing D.O. and received its status in 1999. This D.O. was there to ensure that wineries from existing Catalan D.O.s could compose various wines from these D.O.s while guaranteeing the quality and status of these wines. Another factor was that Cataluña, with an umbrella designation of origin, has another 4000 hectares of vineyards under the D.O. was allowed to scissors, which were previously unclassified. Vineyards belonging to the D.O. registered are allowed to release unblended wines under the original geographically defined D.O. of which they are members.

Catalonia is also written as Catalunya and Cataluña.

Spain's northeast part, like the iconic city of Barcelona, ​​is as French as Spanish — and home to a culture, cuisine and personality all its own. From delicious Cava, Spain's sparkling wine (95 percent of which is produced in this region), to exciting red blends from Emporda, Catalunya offers outstanding diversity.

The region's diverse geography also helps. Penedes, the main DO of Catalunya, is hilly and cool and well suited to cava production, but in the warmer parts international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay do well. The higher Montsant region has concentrated, dense reds, while the warmer Terra Alta region has limestone and clay soils that are also well suited to dry reds. The main Cava grapes, Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada, are widely planted here, but Tempranillo, Garnacha and Cabernet are found in abundance throughout the region.

Smaller wine regions are Allella, Costers del Segre and the Priorat. The Priorat is world famous for its dark red quality wines.

Red wine is made from blue grapes. The wines get their dark colour from the skin of the grape, which ferments with the grape juice. The intensity of the colour is determined by how long the juice has matured; a young red wine will have a somewhat purple colour, while older wines tend to be more orange or brown-red.

With around 10,000 varieties of grapes worldwide, you can go in all directions.

The most well-known blue grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah / Shiraz.

Types of red wine

There are many different types of grapes with different characteristics and aromas. The differences within grape varieties are due to the difference in climate, the soil where the vines are planted, and the amount of sun.

The end result is in the hands of the winemaker. During the process from juice to wine, the winemaker still has a lot of options to change the final product into what he wants to put on the market.

The upbringing of the wine plays a major role in this. After fermentation, the process of raising and maturing the wine begins. There are many options for influencing the wine, but the most well-known concerns the ageing in wood.

If the winemaker chooses to raise the wine on wood, many things come into play. The first choice is whether new or older barrels will be used. Older, used barrels release less or no more aromas and tannins, but they still have an oxidative function. New wood barrels let in dosed oxygen and ensure that the wine has aromas and tannins. This is more intense with smaller barrels than with large wooden barrels.

Dry red wine

The most famous red wine is a dry red wine. The number of grape varieties and different taste profiles are enormous. There is a nice glass of red for every moment.

Sweet red wine

Just like sweet white wine, there is sweet red wine too! They are a lot rarer than dry red wines. If you want to try something different, it's definitely worth a try.

Alcohol-free red wine

Non-alcoholic wine is becoming more and more popular. Whether it is red non-alcoholic wine, white non-alcoholic wine, or sparkling non-alcoholic wine, more and more attention is being paid to it. Perfect for a cosy drink during pregnancy, or during a non-alcoholic month!

Red wine Gift

Red wine is fun to give, and even more fun to receive! Grandcruwijnen has ready-made wine gifts to make your gift recipient happy ;)

If you have your eye on a bottle of wine, at Grandcruwijnen we also have gift packaging to complete your gift! If you've found something you like, you can easily add a gift card during checkout.

Buy red wine online

At Grandcruwijnen you can easily buy red wine online. In our range, you will find products from the well-known grape varieties. If you want to buy a nice red wine, you have come to the right place at Grandcruwijnen. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us!

The oldest grape under the sun: this red grape variety is a real team-player and usually needs other grapes to really come to its best. That's why you probably won't just see it on a label. The Grenache grape originates from Spain and is called Garnacha there. However, the Grenache grape has been the most planted grape in the world for hundreds of years.

What does the Grenache taste like?

The blue Grenache grapes are fairly large and have a thin skin with not much coloring, which is why this grape is very suitable for making rosé wines. This grape feels best in a hot and dry environment, which allows it to form a lot of sugar over a long growing season. As a result, the taste is often very strong and on the sweet fruity side. However, the grape itself contains little firmness, acidity and color and is therefore often blended with other grapes. The Grenache is often combined with the Syrah, Mourvèdre, Cinsault (called GSM blends) or also with its comrade tempranillo the Grenache grape is very successful.

The taste of a pure grenache wine is sultry but also has a light white pepper taste and the spicy red fruit also comes to the surface. The aroma varies enormously per wine but can be described as floral, fruity and often a hint of spices such as pepper, cinnamon or licorice. This wine is perfect to pair with spicy wines.

Syrah, also called Shiraz, is a dark-skinned red wine grape variety known for producing bold, full-bodied wines with intense flavors. Here's what you need to know about this grape:

Origin

Syrah's origins date back to the Rhône Valley in France, especially in regions such as Hermitage and Côte-Rôtie. It is one of the most important grapes in the renowned wines of the Northern Rhône. The exact origins of the grape are still debated, but it is believed to have ancient roots in the Middle East. However, genetic research shows that the grape originates from two grape varieties from southeastern France - Dureza and Mondeuse blanche

The taste of Syrah

The wines are known for their rich, dark fruit flavors such as blackberry, black cherry and plum. They often have notes of black pepper, smoked meat, violet and sometimes earthy undertones. The flavor profile can vary depending on factors such as climate, soil and winemaking techniques. In cooler climates this grape produces wines with more pepper and floral notes while in warmer climates it produces richer and fruitier notes, sometimes with coffee and chocolate notes. It pairs well with grilled meat, especially lamb and beef, in dishes such as stews or on the barbecue. It also goes well with cheeses such as aged cheddar or blue cheese.

Characteristics of Syrah

Syrah is known for its adaptability to various soil types and climates, making it a sustainable choice for vineyard cultivation. Additionally, many wine producers are adopting sustainable and organic practices in both vineyard management and winemaking.

Many Syrah wines have excellent aging potential, particularly those from the Northern Rhône. With proper cellaring, they can develop more complexity and soften over time, while retaining their fruitiness and structure.