For this special edition season we are teaming up with an organisation that is successfully showcasing how different terroir and wines can be throughout Spain; Grandes Pagos de Espana. In 6 episodes we will talk about the diversity of Spain, it’s history, present and future and we will guide you through 5 prominent and promising wine regions.
Each region will be represented by one of the local stars, and members of Grandes Pagos de Espana. In this third episode Toni Sarrion from Bodega Mustiguillo is our guest. Bodega Mustiguillo is a member of the association and an acclaimed winery from Spain’s Mediterranean region, located in the D.O.P. Terrerazo. Toni is also the President of Grandes Pagos de Espana. We will learn what Grandes Pagos de Espana means for Toni and what is characteristic for his region, vineyards, grapes and wines.
About Bodega Mustiguillo and Toni Sarrion
The Mustiguillo story started back in 1972, when the Sarrion-Martinez family bought the Terrerazo estate. To the perplexity and scorn of his local community, owner and winemaker Toni Sarrion made the decision to focus his attentions on the Bobal grape, which at the time was infamously linked to mass-produced wines of inferior quality. Yet, Toni’s visits to world-renowned wine regions had opened his eyes to the potential this once-maligned grape had for producing great wines. The Terrerazo estate, now named Finca Terrerazo, is the heart of Bodega Mustiguillo to this day, boasting ancient Bobal vines planted hundreds of metres above sea level which, in Toni’s words, inspire authenticity. Terrerazo was awarded a DOP in 2010, making it the first Vino de Pago single estate wine DO in the Mediterranean.
Following his success with Bobal, he expanded into his second estate, Finca Calvestra, where focus is on bringing back another Mediterranean variety: the native Merseguera grape. He introduced a series of unprecedented, revolutionary ideas to the region, from using vegetable covers in the vineyards to measuring success by leaf coverage, to personally selecting the year’s vintage. Although it took 4 years for Toni to produce his first sellable wine, luck was always on his side, and success followed swiftly. From then on, it was just a matter of upholding the high standards already established.
Today, Toni Sarrion’s name has become synonymous with Spanish viticulture. Vineyards are grown sustainably, and with undeniable soul; a natural, sustainable attitude that promotes respect for the environment is upheld at all times. All Bodega Mustiguillo wines are certified organic, and are a pure expression of their surroundings, with a rare, elegant and delicate Mediterranean character.
About the Tasting
During the show we will taste the 2019 Finca Calvestra. This wine origins from the Calvestra estate, located at an altitude of 900m above the Mediterranean. The soils in the vineyards are composed of Dolomite limestone that has a chalky/sandy texture. The vines are a combination of Merseguera shoots grafted onto old Bobal rootstock. Traditional viticulture is employed, using a strictly non-irrigated gobelet system.
Finca Calvestra is a creamy, elegant and fresh White wine wine 100% Merseguera. The nose exudes floral and wet stone notes. This wine lights up the palate with stone fruit and a well integrated oak component. The finish is long and pure.
We are looking forward to talking to Toni and learn more about Grandes Pagos de Espana, Bodega Mustiguillo and Spain’s great Mediterranean regions including the D.O.P. El Terrerazo. Be sure to tune in on Instagram Live through our Dutch Wine Apprentice account on Friday the 26th of November, 19:30h CET.
All shows are recorded and can also be watched on our IGTV channel (also accessible through our instagram profile). If you did not have a chance to tune in for our previous seasons you can watch the recordings through this link. We are also converting all previous episodes into Podcasts, more information and links to that can be found here.
Click here for instructions on how to follow a live show on Instagram Live. If you have questions for our guest you are welcome to prepare them and e-mail them to us or send them as a direct message on our Instagram account.
You can find a link to the recording of the show here.
