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Aquí encontrarás toda la información necesaria para conocer todos los productos que ofrecemos en mentta y poder elegir como un auténtico experto.
Types of Spanish Wines Did You Know? - Mentta Blog |
Albariño is a variety of white grape that is mainly grown in Galicia, northwest of Spain, and in the Minho region, northwest of Portugal. This grape is the basis of high-quality white wines, known for their freshness, balanced acidity, and distinctive aromas.
Wines made with Albariño grapes are distinguished by their yellow color with greenish reflections. On the nose, they offer a wide range of aromas that include fruity notes such as apple, pear, peach, and citrus, as well as floral and herbaceous nuances. In the mouth, they are fresh wines, with a marked but balanced acidity, medium body, and a persistent finish that often leaves a mineral sensation.
Albariño wine, like other dry white wines, contains approximately 11.5-12.5% alcohol by volume and is low in calories compared to sweeter or higher alcohol content wines. It is a source of antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can contribute to cardiovascular health when consumed in moderation. However, it is important to remember that alcohol consumption should be responsible and moderate.
Do You Know the Best Wines from Spain? - Mentta Blog |
In Spain, Albariño is the predominant variety in the Designation of Origin (D.O.) Rías Baixas, established in 1988. This D.O. is divided into five subzones:
Aperol is a bright orange Italian liqueur with a characteristic taste that is both sweet and bitter. It is made from a secret recipe that includes rhubarb, gentian, quinine, and various herbs and roots. It has a relatively low alcohol content of 11%.
Aperol is known for its ability to stimulate the appetite, making it an excellent aperitif. It contains herb extracts with digestive and antioxidant properties, although in moderate amounts due to its alcoholic nature.
Aperol is a product with a unique recipe and does not have official variants like other liqueurs. However, there are similar alternatives such as Campari (stronger and more bitter) or homemade versions inspired by its flavor.
Aperol is an Italian product and is exclusively manufactured by Campari Group in Italy. However, its popularity has grown worldwide, especially in countries like Spain, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and the United States.
The most famous cocktail with Aperol is the Aperol Spritz, a refreshing drink made with:
3 parts prosecco
2 parts Aperol
1 part soda or sparkling water
Ice and an orange slice for garnish
Neat or on the rocks: To enjoy its pure flavor.
With tonic or soda: For a lighter version.
In cocktails: Such as the "Aperol Negroni" or the "Aperol Sour."
Craft beer is an alcoholic beverage made traditionally, on a small scale and generally without additives or preservatives. Its production process focuses on quality, flavor, and originality, unlike industrial beers. The basic ingredients are water, malt (usually barley), hops, and yeast, although other ingredients can be added to craft beers to give them a unique touch.
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Ale: Uses top fermentation yeast, giving it a fruity and spicy flavor.
Lager: Fermented at low temperatures, resulting in lighter and cleaner beers.
Stout: Dark beer, rich in flavors of toasted malt, chocolate, and coffee.
IPA (India Pale Ale): Beer with a high hop content, giving it a bitter and fruity flavor.
Porter: Similar to stout, but smoother, with notes of caramel and chocolate.
Saison: Spicy and fruity in flavor, typically from the region of Belgium.
Blonde Ale: Light and smooth beer, ideal for those looking for a more refreshing option.
The process of making craft beer involves several stages:
Mashing: Mixing malt with hot water to extract fermentable sugars.
Boiling: The mixture, called wort, is boiled with hops, which adds flavor and aroma.
Fermentation: The wort is cooled and yeast is added, which converts sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide.
Maturation: The beer is left to rest for a period of time for the flavors to develop.
Bottling: Finally, the beer is bottled and allowed to ferment one last time, improving its flavor.
Gin is a distilled alcoholic beverage, usually made from cereals such as barley, wheat, or rye, and flavored primarily with juniper berries, which give it its characteristic taste. Other botanicals such as coriander, citrus peel, angelica root, and cardamom are often added to enrich its flavor profile.
There are different types of gin, which vary in terms of taste, distillation method, and ingredients used:
London Dry Gin: It is the most common variety and is characterized by being dry, with a strong juniper flavor. No sugars are added after distillation.
Plymouth Gin: Similar to London Dry, but with a smoother recipe and produced exclusively in Plymouth, England.
Old Tom Gin: Sweeter than London Dry and with a more rounded flavor. It was very popular in the 19th century.
Flavored gin: Fruits, flowers, or other flavors are added, such as strawberry or cucumber gin, to give distinctive flavors.
Genever Gin: It is an older style of gin, originating from the Netherlands and Belgium, more similar to whisky, with a maltier flavor.
Gin and Tonic: One of the most popular combinations, with gin, tonic, and a slice of lemon or lime.
Classic cocktails:
Martini: Gin, dry vermouth, and an olive or lemon twist.
Negroni: Gin, red vermouth, and Campari.
Tom Collins: Gin, lemon juice, sugar, and soda.
Gimlet: Gin and lime juice or lime cordial.
Cocktail recipes with mentta: the most well-known - mentta blog
Verdejo wine is a white wine originally from Spain, mainly made with the Verdejo grape, a native variety from the Rueda region (Castilla y León). It is known for its freshness, herbal and fruity aromas, and a slightly bitter character on the palate.
Wines made with the Verdejo grape can be classified into different categories:
Young Verdejo: Fresh, fruity, and light, without aging in barrels.
Barrel Fermented Verdejo: With more body and complexity, it usually ages in wood.
Aged Verdejo: Aged in barrels or bottle, developing more complex and unctuous notes.
Verdejo Sparkling: Made with the traditional method, with elegant bubbles and characteristic freshness.
Sweet or Semi-sweet Verdejo: Made with overripe grapes or late harvest, with sweeter notes.
Types of wines you should know - Mentta Blog
The Verdejo grape is native to the Rueda D.O., in the region of Castilla y León (Spain). This designation is the most recognized for its Verdejo wines, although it is also grown in other areas such as Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha.
Aromas: Fruity (citrus, apple, melon), herbal (fennel, anise), and mineral.
Taste: Fresh, balanced, with moderate acidity and a slight bitter touch.
Pairing: Ideal with fish, seafood, soft cheeses, rice dishes, and salads.
Verdejo wine is very versatile in pairing due to its freshness, balanced acidity, and fruity notes. Here are some ideal combinations:
Limoncello is an Italian liqueur made from the maceration of lemon peels in alcohol, to which syrup is added to give it its characteristic sweet and strong flavor. It is a typical drink from southern Italy, especially from the Campania region, where it is produced with lemons from Sorrento or Amalfi.
Although it is an alcoholic beverage and should be consumed in moderation, limoncello retains some properties of lemons:
There are different versions depending on the type of lemon and the production process. Some variants include:
Limoncello is originally from Italy, but it is also produced in other countries:
Italy (especially in Campania, Sicily, and Calabria)
France (in the French Riviera)
Spain (especially in Mediterranean areas like Mallorca and Valencia)
United States (some brands in California produce it with local lemons)
Consumption:
Served cold in a shot glass after meals.
In cocktails (mixed with prosecco, tonic, or vodka).
As an ingredient in desserts, ice creams, or cakes.
Red wine is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermentation of the juice of red (black) grapes. What gives it its characteristic color is not only the type of grape, but also the contact with the skins during fermentation, which contain the pigments (anthocyanins).
Consumed in moderation, red wine has several beneficial properties for health:
The varieties of red wine depend on the type of grape (variety) used. Some of the most well-known are:
Merlot: smooth, fruity, easy to drink.
Syrah/Shiraz: powerful, with notes of pepper and berries.
Pinot Noir: elegant, lighter, with floral aromas and red fruit notes.
Malbec: meaty, fruity, with good acidity.
Garnacha (Grenache): fruity, warm, with notes of ripe red fruits.
Mencía: fresh, aromatic, typical of Bierzo.
Types of Spanish wines Did you know them? - Mentta Blog
France: Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône (with wines like Bordeaux or Châteauneuf-du-Pape).
Italy: Tuscany (Chianti, Brunello), Piedmont (Barolo).
Spain: Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat.
Argentina: famous for its Malbec.
Chile: produces high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere.
United States: especially California (Napa Valley).
Australia: renowned for its Shiraz.
Portugal: especially the Douro and Alentejo regions.
Ways to consume:
Alone, in a glass, ideal for appreciating aromas and flavors.
With food: pairs well with red meats, aged cheeses, cured meats, game dishes, or spicy foods.
Recommended serving temperature: between 14°C and 18°C, depending on the type of wine (lighter wines, cooler temperatures).
It can also be used in cooking: for sauces, stews, marinades, etc.
3 good red wines for less than 5 euros - Mentta Blog
Vermouth is a wine flavored with herbs, spices, and botanicals, with a recipe that usually includes wormwood, giving it its characteristic bitter taste. It can be made with white, red, or rosé wine and typically has an alcohol content between 14-22%.
Red vermouth: Sweeter and spicier, originating from Italy.
White vermouth: Drier and more floral, originating from France.
Dry vermouth: Lighter and bitter, key in cocktails like the Martini.
Rosé vermouth: Balanced between sweet and dry, with fruity notes.
Natural digestive: The botanicals stimulate digestion.
Ideal appetizer: Its bitter taste opens the appetite.
Antioxidants: The wine and herbs provide beneficial polyphenols.
Versatility: Can be enjoyed neat, with soda, or in cocktails.
Vermouth is best enjoyed as an aperitif, but it can also accompany certain dishes:
Appetizers and tapas
White rum is a type of colorless rum that is generally lighter than other varieties. It is obtained from the fermentation and distillation of molasses or sugar cane juice, and in most cases, it is aged in oak barrels and then filtered to remove its color. It is a widely used distilled spirit in cocktails due to its smooth flavor and versatility.
Smooth and light flavor, with sweet and fruity notes.
High alcohol content, usually between 37.5% and 40%.
Low sugar content, especially if it is a dry white rum.
Versatile, ideal for mixing in cocktails.
Standard white rum: Smooth, filtered, and not aged for a long period.
Aged white rum: Aged in barrels and filtered to maintain its clear color but with more complexity in flavor.
White agricole rum: Made with sugar cane juice instead of molasses, giving it a more vegetal and earthy flavor.
Spiced white rum: Infused with spices or additional flavors.
The main producers of white rum are:
Caribbean: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Barbados.
Latin America: Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Guatemala.
Other countries: Philippines, India, and some regions of the United States.
Each country has its own style and regulations for rum production, which influences its flavor and quality.
White rum is ideal for cocktails and can also be enjoyed neat or on the rocks. Some popular ways to consume it include:
Classic cocktails:
Mojito: White rum, mint, sugar, lime, and soda.
Daiquiri: White rum, lime juice, and sugar.
Piña colada: White rum, coconut cream, and pineapple juice.
Cuba libre: White rum, cola, and lime.
White wine is mainly made from the juice of white grapes, although it can also be produced with red grapes as long as they are not fermented with the skins (as in red wine). Its profile is usually more acidic, fresh, and fruity, making it ideal for pairing with light dishes.
The wine aromas you should know to be an expert taster - Mentta Blog
Main varieties of white grapes:
Chardonnay: versatile, can be dry, fruity, or aged in barrels.
Sauvignon Blanc: fresh, herbaceous, citrusy.
Riesling: can be dry or sweet, with floral and mineral notes.
Albariño: from Galicia (Spain), very aromatic, with citrus and marine notes.
Verdejo: typical of Rueda (Spain), fresh and fruity.
Gewürztraminer: very aromatic and spicy, ideal for spicy foods.
France: Regions like Burgundy, Alsace, and Loire are famous for their white wines.
Italy: Stand out varieties like Pinot Grigio and Verdicchio.
Spain: With denominations like Rueda (Verdejo), Galicia (Albariño).
Germany: Famous for its Riesling.
Chile and Argentina: Major producers in South America.
United States: California is key, especially in Chardonnay.
New Zealand: Known for its vibrant and fresh Sauvignon Blanc.
South Africa: Growing in quality, especially with Chenin Blanc.
Ideal temperature:
Between 6°C and 10°C (colder than red wine, to highlight its freshness and acidity).
Recommended pairing:
Do you know the best wines from Spain? - Mentta Blog
