Maturana Tinta : the secret weapon of Rioja
The wonderful Rioja wine area is located in the north of Spain and is represented today by 3 subregions: Rioja Alta, Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Oriental. The Qualified Designation of Origin Rioja lies on both side of the Ebro River and it spreads on 100km from west to east. With two different climates (maritime and mediterranean), various altitudes (up to 900 meters), the 571 wineries in 144 municipalities on 66 000 hectares are offering an incredible diversity of wines.
In this amazing place, 14 grape varieties are striving: 9 white varieties like Viura and Garnacha Blanca and 5 black varieties like Tempranillo and Garnacha Tinta. There is one though which is not very well known, almost confidential but which is interesting to (re)discover: the Maturana Tinta!
While tasting some Rioja wines in ProWein*, we discovered the Bodegas Diez del Corral and their 100% Maturana Tinta wine called La Piconada Maturana. The two brothers, Juan and Javier Diez del Corral, are dedicating a part of their life to the “Fine Wines of Rioja Alta”. Following the footsteps of their family, they continue with passion the work done for more than 100 years by the previous generations. A first vineyard, from 1940, is planted in El Coterón and a second one of 3,7 hectares is in the town of Anguciana. It is here, 3km away from “El Barrio de la Estación” in Haro (the largest concentration of century-old wineries in the world), that the Maturana Tinta is grown since 2008.
In fact, the Maturana Tinta is Castets, a French grape variety. The berries are small, shiny and black, the bunches are compact, and it is very challenging to grow as cryptogamic diseases such as botrytis and mildew love it! It creates wines with a beautiful deep purple color, high acidity and a very distinctive vegetal character like green pepper. It is often use in blends to add this “Je ne sais quoi” which is making the difference. Since 2007, the Maturana Tinta is incorporated in Rioja even if it has a very long history. Today it represents 0,43% of the black grape varieties planted in Rioja and it is increasing little by little!
100% Maturana Tinta in a bottle? We say yes to experience the beauty and specificity of this grape variety. La Piconada Maturana has got a deep ruby color with purple reflects. The nose is fresh and fruity with black fruits like cherry and blackberry. We can feel this vegetal touch with some discreet green pepper and herbal notes. The second nose is still fruity with some earthy and spicy flavors. The mouth is fresh, intense with leather and vegetal notes. We have a very nice acidity, refreshing, tension and smooth tannins. The middle of the mouth let a salty minerality appear with crunchy black and red fruits. The finish has got a nice leather and pepper touch. The ageing in barrels, both French and American, is very well integrated. It is a young wine with potential. Definitely a wine and grape variety to discover!
*ProWein is a very big fair in Düsseldorf in Germany. VertdeVin Magazine is participating in this event for many years. It is a way to share our passion of wine writing, to keep in touch with winemakers but also to discover gold nuggets!