Els vins nous han arribat!

In the space of a few years, the new wine presentation by the VilaViniteca wineshop has become THE major wine event of the year in Barcelona. It's a chance to take a first look at the 2004 vintage. Some of Spain's most innovative wineries set up tables out in front of the shop (now extending well down the street and around the corner) and offer up samples of their latest wines. Near-by restaurants join in with local foods to go with the wines and the event becomes an old-quarter street party. The 2004 edition was held tonight with 37 wineries participating. Here are what I thought were the most impressive wines of the evening.

Bodegas Castaño: the 2004 Monastrell (Mourvedre) is supercharged at 14.5% alcohol content, but for a new wine, it is amazingly subtle.

Ostatu: the 2004 showed a substantial tannin, a bit raw, but a great foundation for bottle aging.

Luberri: their new harvest wine showed real polish and should mature nicely.

Bodegas Sierra de Guara: Their Idrias Merlot rosé was very fresh - perfect for a hot summer's day.

Barbara Fores: Their rosé was so rich, it seemed like a red - very good.

Edetaria: This young winery featured two new red wines: one a syrah and the other featuring a local variety know as "garnatxa peluda" or "hairy grenache" (which has to be the best name for a grape ever created). Although the winery was started just a couple of years ago, the estate vines are 30 years plus, meaning outstanding raw quality.

Parató: The featured offering from this house was a rosé Pinot Noir - very well done, fresh with nicely balanced acidity.