WINES FROM SPAIN IN MADRID FUSIÓN

The International Gastronomy Summit, madridfusión, supported by the ICEX, in its new 2009 edition, is set to expand its wine related activities through a set of proposals grouped under the generic title: "Wines from Spain in madridfusión".

This annual celebration at the International Gastronomy Summit in Madrid has become a calendar must for both professionals and people from all over the world interested in the latest developments and trends in world cuisine, but this summit has also undertaken on a crucial role in the international promotion of products which comprise the whole culinary process which commences when we sit down at a restaurant table.
In this context, wine is set to take on a higher profile at the International Gastronomy Summit, supported by the ICEX, in collaboration with the Unión Española de Catadores (UEC) (the Spanish Sommelier Guild), who have designed a programme which is both varied and exciting in order to make this new 2009 edition the stage to present not only the recent work and research undertaken by the most creative minds in global gastronomy, but also a venue to display, in Madrid, an image of the a thriving an ever more vibrant Spanish wine industry.
Among the activities on offer worth highlighting, apart from the numerous winery stalls which, in line with every other year, will allow Summit delegates the chance to sample the wines on offer, is the ICEX sponsored tasting entitled Innovative Spain: ancient
vineyard new wines, which will be held on Tuesday morning.
It is a trip through the most novel and interesting wine labels to have appeared over the last year on the Spanish wine scene, paying particular attention to wines from less well known Spanish wine producing regions that have attracted little press attention. A presentation of premiers which in a way aims to open attendees' eyes to the new offerings of an ever expanding wine industry.
On the 20th of January, as with the aforementioned case, attendees will have the chance to attend a wine tasting named Albariños, longevidad juvenil (youthful long lived Albariños), offered by the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Rías Baixas (Regulatory Board of the Rias Baixas Designation of Origin). In this case, the wine tasting will focus on a selection of Albariño white wines. These Galician whites have managed to redefine the historical interpretation specialists and the public at large used to have of these Spanish white wines -accepted as vintage wines with scant aging potential- diversifying their profiles by means of the ageing on lees or in tanks. Rías Baixas white wines are today's most representative sample of the ageing potential possessed by some Spanish vineyard white wines, and the Albariño variety itself represents the flagship of this new generation of white wines created to mellow with the years.
On the 21st, the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Ribera del Duero (Regulatory Board of the Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin) will offer a not to be missed opportunity: Ribera del Duero, "Punta de Lanza" (Ribera del Duero, "spear point"). 25 years have passed since the birth of this Designation of Origin, a bench mark among Spanish wines, and as the UEC (Spanish Sommelier Guild) responsible for the organization of the event says: "once this wine comes of age, the 21st century will show us a Ribera del Duero without inhibitions and with a wine wealth in terms both of authors and well established national wineries which without doubt bestows on this region a great potential for international critics". This reach heritage will be the source from which 15 of their best wines will be selected for a presentation in which classic and new born wines will live together.
The second wine tasting which will be held on the Wednesday will embark us on a trip through the most outstanding features endowed to the small wine growing regions of our country. Grandes Pagos de España is a wine tasting sponsored by the association of select wineries of the same name which will offer delegates the chance to fully appreciate for themselves the quality of the most recently produced wines achieved through respect and fidelity for the native soil where the vines are cultivated. The requirements to join the ranks of this select group are demanding while the urge which brings them together is universal. The seduction of the unique as opposed to globalized uniformity.
Finally, on the Thursday, the Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Calificada Rioja (Regulatory Board of the Rioja Qualified Designation of Origin) will offer the most useful and up to date wine tasting ever: Rioja, "las compras más inteligentes" (Rioja, "the smartest buys"): a tasting of various UEC selected wines, following assessment by national and international critics, will be introduced in terms of their excellent price/quality relationship among all the Qualified Designation of Origin wines. No doubt about it, this is going to be a really useful tasting for all the attending professionals and will demonstrate once again why Rioja is still a wine making power due to its variety, global quality and diversity of wines.
We should also mention that on Tuesday and Wednesday the Summit will also host, "La Enoteca Navarra", an interactive show-room at which the attendees will have the opportunity to meet all the wine makers and wineries which head the latest great wine revolution which has taken place in the Autonomous Community which takes its place among the Spanish wine elite due to its history, geography and talent.
And like every year, we will also find out who are the winners of the Award for the Best Spanish Wine for Under €30, already a classic event in the Spanish wine schedule; we will also attend the celebration of the 2nd National "Custodio López-Zamarra Trophy" Sommeliers Championship.
In short, be prepared. This year, madridfusión promises to thrill us with excitement and a big helping of the best wines from Monday 19th to Thursday 22nd of January. We'll see you there in the Palacio de Congresos, Campo de las Naciones, Madrid.