Winebow Producer Book

VdlT Extremadura , Spain

Winery Overview Mad Dogs & Englishmen is crafted from vineyards in Southern Spain where the scorching summer heat calls to mind Noel Coward’s lyrics that only, “Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun.” In the dry, sunbaked vineyards, vines struggle to survive and as a result produce small, concentrated grapes with rich, intense flavors and exceptional structure. Master of Wine, Norrel Robertson, and local expert Ignacio Gonzalez, make this extraordinary red wine. Location of Vineyard Located 2,000 feet above sea level, high above the Mediterranean coast in the arid mountain plains of Extremadura, Mad Dogs & Englishmen vineyards receive over 3,000 hours of sunlight each year. During the long, hot summer days, temperatures can often reach 100 F, although it cools off dramatically at night due to the high elevation. These climate conditions are perfect for creating ripe, intense fruit, while maintaining high acidity. Winemaking Philosophy Mad Dogs & Englishmen vineyards grow 30 year old Monastrell on ungrafted rootstock as well as Carignan, Mazuelo, Tempranillo, Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon. Each vintage is a blend of different varieties, based on the character of the grapes that year. Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks and aging in French and American oak to create a bold, elegant Spanish wine with raspberry aromas, cherry flavors, and a long, lingering finish. Winery Overview Ànima Negra was founded in 1994 when three self taught friends — Pere Ignasi Obrador, Miquel Àngel Cerdà and Frances Grimalt — decided that the wines of their native Mallorca weren’t reaching their full potential. Taking advantage of some unused milk tanks at the dairy farm owned by Pere’s family, they made two barriques of wine from Callet grapes (a native Mallorcan varietal) they had purchased from local farmers. The initial results were so encouraging that the friends decided to form a partnership and continue pursuing their newly found passion for wine, with Frances leaving the winemaking aspects of the business to Pere and Miguel Àngel. Location of Vineyard Situated in the southeast of Mallorca, Ànima Negra winery produces its wines on the old country estate of Son Burguera, close to the town of Felanitx. The buildings date back to the 13th century, and contain a traditional winemaking area, which historically was used to supply wine for locals living on and near the estate. Ànima Negra sources its grapes from more than 135 carefully selected parcels of land that the partners either own or control. Virtually all of these parcels are within a six mile radius of the winery, and most of the vines are 50 to 85 years old. Winemaking Philosophy Ànima Negra’s vines are dry farmed and are not fertilized, helping to ensure they produce small, concentrated fruit. The resulting unique, elegant wines have garnered worldwide praise, and earned a loyal following among fine wine enthusiasts throughout the world. In 2010, the Slow Food Movement honored Ànima Negra with induction into the Ark of Taste. VdlT Mallorca, Spain