The benefit of being an emerging region is not being “pigeon-holed”, says the DO Toro president, as the region tries to gain a stronger foothold in international markets. Felipe Nalda Álvarez, president of DO Toro, hosted a masterclass showcasing wines from the region at a tasting in London on Tuesday. Eight red wines, all produced using 100% Tinta de Toro grapes, were on pour at the session, designed to show the quality and diversity of the region’s signature grape. Álvarez was keen to show a range of both newer and older styles, and told db it was an opportunity for the region as a whole to showcase the quality of raw materials and climatic conditions. Old, ungrafted bush vines dominate the region, which is planted with 90% Tinta de Toro, a Tempranillo variant. The region has a total of 5,400ha of vineyards. Winemaking in the region has adapted in recent years, Álvarez said, keeping up with what consumers are looking for. Vintage dates have been brought forward, and there has been much improvement to the winemaking techniques undertaken during fermentation and ageing. Winemakers are “not looking for very aged and tertiary characteristics”, he said, in keeping with consumer tastes shifting more towards lighter, fresher styles of red wine. It may be an “emerging region” in international markets, according to its president, but the region has a long history. Toro Wines were drunk on Christopher Columbus’ voyage of discovery to the Americas. “You could say it was the first wine to
This Article was originally published on The Drink Business - Wine
