Welcome to Spain, one of Europe’s most mountainous countries. With one million hectares of vineyards, Spain has the largest surface of organic vineyards in the world!
As a world leader in organic viticulture, the hot arid temperatures of the region are ideally suited for organic farming. The dry climate is a perfect landscape for organic grape-growing and in turn Spain produces many fascinating and delicious organic wines.
The hot days and cool nights give freshness and elegance to the final wine profile. This structural backbone is exactly what is needed to balance the wine’s fruit-forward, floral and rustic characteristics.
In Spain, many indigenous grapes grow. These grapes are native to the region and are incredibly unique in the world of wine. Take Garnacha for example, this is a grape that can be found in three forms – Blanc (white), Rouge (red) and Gris (gray). Similar to Pinot Noir, it is a thin-skinned grape that is grown mostly in Spain and in the south of France. Known as ‘Garnacha’ in Spain and ‘Grenache’ in the south of France, this grape does well on its own and also in blends. Garnacha produces a final wine that is low in tannin, fruit-forward, easy-going, dynamite and crave-worthy.
Monastrell is another indigenous Spanish grape. It can go by the name of Mouvèdre or Mataro and Spain claims two-thirds of the world’s total plantings of the Monastrell grape. This grape loves the heat and has thicker skins which bring added colour, structure and tannin to final taste profile.
Both Grenache and Monastrell vines can grow on wild bush vines. These vines are un-trained and look like that of a small bush. Grape clusters grow within the bush itself and are hand-tended and also hand-picked. Old Spanish bush vines can be 25+ years old with some even aged upwards of 80 years. Older vines produce a smaller amount of fruit, but offer more complex and concentrated juice.
Made in Murcia, on the southeastern coast of Spain, Honoro Vera is an Organic red wine blend made with these two indigenous grapes: Garnacha and Monstrell. With two months in oak barrels and the rest aged in a stainless steel tank, the final wine is elegantly fresh with notes of dark berry fruit, soft spices with aromas of a spanish countryside (think lavender and thyme)! With fruit, floral and earthy tones, the final wine is medium to full bodied and the palate is smooth with soft tannins. Think of a soft silk magenta coloured scarf wrapped around your head, neck and heart. This wine is organic and vegan certified.
Looking for the Perfect Pairing?
Pick up a certified-organic dry-aged rib steak* from Whispering Meadows Farms** and pair it with Honoro Vera Organic. Cook it up fireside on your BBQ or grill and serve with a side of roasted vegetables and potatoes or rice pilaf. Decant the Honoro Vera Organic red blend and serve for a delicious dinner pairing. Turn on some Spanish music and dress your table to impress your dinner date for a truly unforgettable evening.
*Rib steak is often called a rib-eye steak or a prime rib steak. It is the same cut as a prime rib, but divided into steaks rather than being kept as a whole roast. This steak is extremely well-marbled and is absolutely melt-in-your-mouth delicious – a perfect and ideal pairing with Honoro Vera Red blend.
**Whispering Meadows is a local farm that is a great source for premium meats. Cattle at Whispering Meadows are raised 100% free-range on natural pastures for their entire lives. That means they eat only grass – with some clover and alfalfa mixed in – and nothing else. No antibiotics. No added hormones or other growth promoters. No cages and a stress-free life, treated with care and kindness.
