Vera de Estenas

Vino de Pago is the highest quality level for Spanish estates. It applies to smaller estates that make outstanding wine and meet further criteria. Vera de Estenas received it in 2013, in recognition of the estate's microclimate and its consistently high quality. Only a few bodegas in Spain may use the name. The Merlot carries the origin “D.O.P. Pago Vera de Estenas”.

Since 1945, which makes the bodega in Utiel one of the oldest in the D.O. Utiel-Requena, province of Valencia. Today Félix Martínez runs the family business in the third generation. The vines grow near the Estenas river at the foot of the Sierra del Remedio, at 700 to 900 metres. The Solano wind and cool nights keep the acidity in the grapes.

Bobal is at the centre, the native grape of Utiel-Requena. In our shop it goes into the Casa Don Ángel, in three vintages, and the Reserva Edición Limitada. Then there is Merlot for the Martínez Bermell, and Chardonnay with Macabeo for the Cava. The vines are trained as bush vines and grow on chalky clay soils.

All three are pure Bobal with 15 percent alcohol. The 2019 spent 15 months in used French barrels; it is cherry red and shows red berries, roasted notes and dried herbs, CHF 49. The 2020 and 2021 spent 24 months in Allier oak; they are garnet, with black fruit and a finish of candied fruit, CHF 39 and 33.

A Bobal from the 2020 vintage. It ferments spontaneously with natural yeasts in concrete tanks and then ages 17 months in new French oak barrels. In the glass deep ruby, on the nose dark fruit, Mediterranean herbs and tobacco. The Guía Peñín gave it 90 points. It goes with lamb, game, aged cheese or hearty vegetarian dishes, CHF 48.

A pure Merlot from a historic vineyard: Francisco Martínez Bermell planted it in 1981 on the highest part of the Finca Casa Don Ángel, and the wine bears his name. The vines give only about 1.5 kilos of grapes each. Fermentation and ageing take place in new French barriques. Red fruit, violets and a touch of vanilla; serve it with beef, lamb or aged cheese, CHF 28.

Yes. Vera de Estenas was one of the first wineries in Requena to make sparkling wine. The Estenas Cava Brut Nature is made from Chardonnay and Macabeo, with traditional bottle fermentation and at least nine months on the lees. Brut Nature means no dosage. It has 11.5 percent alcohol and works as an aperitif, with light starters, seafood and mild cheese, CHF 21.

The Cava costs CHF 21, the Merlot CHF 28, the Bobals between CHF 33 and 49.