Interview met wijnmaakster Alma Garçia
Wijngoed Hacienda Zorita was oorspronkelijk van de Dominicanen en stamt uit 1366. United Wineries heeft Zorita in 2000 gekocht en sinds die datum ingrijpend verbouwd en gerenoveerd. Zorita is rustig gelegen in Valverdón in de Duero vallei, middenin een 70 ha groot domein met wijngaarden en een biologische boerderij, dichtbij de eeuwenoude universiteitsstad Salamanca. De formule Zorita slaat aan, dat kan na een aantal jaar wel gezegd worden. Inmiddels wordt in Nederland de crianza bij Albert Heijn verkocht.
De winery van Hacienda Zorita maakt daarnaast top premium wijnen waaronder een syrah en de Magister die internationaal aanslaan. Wijnmaakster is Alma Garçia. Winebusiness.nl stelde haar een paar vragen die in het Engels gepubliceerd worden Wat blijkt: er komt een Zorita Verdejo aan.
Will 2014 be a good year in terms of quantity? And in quality?
This year the climate conditions were very favourable for a slow ripening of the grapes. Despite the rains the grapes are in perfect condition. We started the harvest 10th of October when the grapes were in the perfect phenolic ripeness. We expect high quality wines from this vintage and shorter volume than other years.
Was the drought this year worse than last year?
This year was rainy so we hadn’t drought problems.
What are your expactations of the yield for this harvest (like 30 hl/ha less or more)?
Our yield is around 35/40hl/ha.
Was the rain in the months as expected?
The summer was very dry and september came with rains and still high temperatures. It is sensitive for the vineyard as the plants could suffer cases of rotting. We needed to be extremely on top of the vineyard and control it with also extreme care.
Do you aim for the same quality each year? Or do you want a have each year the wine that nature gives you?
The quality is different each year so we modify a little bit our winemaking standards looking for taking the best out of our vineyards. We maintain our identity but always focusing on the quality.
Do you consider Zorita to be a boutique winery?
We have a singular profile. The winery was build in 2004 so we count with the very newest and best instruments and materials. We have a traditional approach with modern resources.
What is your biggest challenge with Zorita?
Our challenge is improve the quality of our wines each vintage.
Do you notice that you are part of United Wineries?
Be part of a strong group helps to have more resources.
What is your favorite wine after Zorita?
Whites I like the godello de Valdeorra and also Ecos de Fermoselle, made from Malvasía and Puesta en Cruz grapes from Arribes del Duero. For reds I would choose Clos Martinet from El Priorato.
Last but not least: do you have any specific ideas about a future white wine for Zorita?
We are working on it. We have the vineyards so it’s a matter of time we start bottling Hacienda Zorita Verdejo. We are all very excited about this white wine.
Charlotte van Zummeren
