Sacred Drop 
Family owned Herencia Martinez- Alvarez Bodega in Rioja Alta- Cosechero/Bodegero
Posted on July 11, 2011
An unexpected visit to Fuenmayor, La Rioja, to pick up some wine from a local vineyard spurred a visit to this country winery; the owner showed us everything from the press onward in his production, and he even allowed us to taste the 2010 harvest that was still fermenting. This experience was such a stark contrast to that of Marqués de Cáceres, a huge well-known international winery in Cenicero, but visits like these are what I live for. It’s in this way one really gets to see what people who live, eat, drink, and sleep wine are like.
If you would like to suggest ideas or like to see more of one thing or another, please e-mail your suggestions to me at sacreddropseeker@gmail.com. Thanks for watching!
Wine Utensils 101
Posted on July 4, 2011
Ever wonder what you need in order to open a bottle of wine or what some wine lovers keep in their homes to enjoy their wines? Well here you have it, a few basic wine utensils I keep in my home in order to try the wonderful wines of the region.
If you want to see more of one thing or another, please email me ideas or suggestions to sacreddropseeker@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon!
La Rioja Grape Varietals
Posted on June 30, 2011
This video was made at Castillo de Maetierra located within the physical region of La Rioja- Rioja Baja, yet considered outside of the Denomination of La Rioja. It is located in Calahorra, a region predominantly known for vegetables and fruit production.
Video 1 of 2, Special thanks to Raul Acha, Enologist and Technical Director of Castillo de Maetierra at Vintae.
Because this vineyard is located outside of the denomination scope, it is allowed to cultivate any variety it desires. They have made some very interesting wines recently, such as Gewürztraminer and Riesling.
The Enologist for Maetierra explains the morphological differences between each of the varieties this bodega grows.
Here are some interesting facts for you about La Rioja.
Within the Control Board of the Rioja Designation of Origin (D.O.Ca Rioja), there were seven traditional varietals allowed until recently, when in 2007 they allowed a total of nine new varieties to be cultivated within La Rioja. The seven traditional varietals are four red: Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo; and three white: Viura, Garnacha Blanca, Malvasía.
Of these nine new varieties, there are three non-native white: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo; three native white: Maturana Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco and Turruntes (Albillo); and three native reds: Maturana Tinta, Maturano (Maturana Parda) and Monastel.
This was first time since 1925 that varietals outside of the seven traditional ones were allowed into La Rioja for cultivation and wine making.
Video 2 of 2, Special thanks to Raul Acha, Enologist and Technical Director of Castillo de Maetierra at Vintae.
Sacred Drop 