How would you describe the overall winemaking philosophy, and what sets your approach apart from other wineries?
We start from the premise that “wine is made on the vine” – we must always collect the best grapes to obtain the best wine. The grapes come from our own vineyards, all bush vines and in very poor soils in which respect for the environment is taken into account in each action. In the winery, we work with native yeasts, that is, the fermentation is carried out without the addition of selected commercial yeasts or nutrients, thus achieving the maximum expression of the terroir and the varieties in the wine produced.
Can you highlight some of the key grape varieties that you work with, and what characteristics they bring to your wines?
In the case of Tempranillo we obtain fine, friendly and silky wines on the palate. In addition, they have an intense red color with violet nuances in their youth and aromas of ripe red fruit, wild fruits, vanilla, tobacco, chocolate and herbal and floral touches. The white varieties Viura and Malvasía give us floral and fruity aromas that make our wines very drinkable.
In what ways does the location of your winery influence the flavor profile and characteristics of your wines?
Bodegas Gómez de Segura is located in El Campillar, Laguardia, in the heart of Rioja Alavesa. It is located between the Sierra de Cantabria and the Ebro River. The mountain range protects us from the cold that comes from the North and creates a special microclimate, Atlantic with Mediterranean influence. In this area the soil types are clay-calcareous, stony and poor. We obtain wineswith a bright and vivid color; with a fine and intense aroma, and a fruity flavor, which is velvety and warm on the palate.
Could you elaborate on the testing process conducted by the external laboratory to ensure the quality of the corks?
To guarantee the quality of the corks we use, we have an external Laboratory that analyzes different parameters. Depending on the results, the batch of caps will be used or rejected.
How do you go about carefully choosing these barrels, and what impact does the choice of French and American oak have on the aging process?
For the Vendimia Seleccionada we use American oak. These barrels provide more pronounced flavors and notes of coconut, vanilla and hot spices to red wines. American oak tannins tend to be more pronounced, which can provide structure and firmness. For Crianza we mix French oak with American oak barrels and for the most unique wines we use only French oak. French oak casks tend to bring subtlety and elegance to red wines. They give us notes of spices, vanilla and toast in a more subtle way, allowing the characteristics of the grape and the terroir to be expressed more clearly.
Can you walk us through the process of sampling and testing the grapes before the harvest to determine the best time for hand-picking?
To determine the manual harvesting of our grapes in the months of August and September we begin with field sampling. Parameters are assessed such as the health status of the vineyard, the evolution of acidity, sugars in the grapes, thickness of the skin and size. In addition, the grapes are tasted to see the sensations in the mouth. Based on the results and the weather forecast, we determine when and at which plot the harvest will begin.
Is your winery open for visitors?
Yes, the Gómez de Segura Family is delighted to receive wine tourists and show them who we are and what we do. Opimian members can contact us by email: info@gomezdesegura.com
Explore their exceptional wines featured in this cellar on page 32