Iberian roots throws the third edition of their wine advent calendar, A pioneering initiative offering daily tastings from December 1st to 24th, featuring wines made from native grape varieties, many of them unknown and at risk of disappearing. This year's participants include 24 prestigious sommeliers, including several with Michelin stars such as Mariano Rodríguez (Arzak***), Hennes Hooyberghs (Nuance**), Femke Colenbie (Le Julien*) or Xavi González (Els Tinars*).
Eva and Juan García are not only personal names, but also grape varieties. The same is true for Bruñal and Rufete. They all share something: anonymity. In fact, in some cases, their small number of hectares planted places them on the verge of disappearing. And this December, they will be among the featured varieties in the Raíces Ibéricas Advent Calendar, which is celebrating its third edition this year.
This pioneering experience in Spain allows consumers to taste a different wine each day from December 1st to 24th. And they won't be alone; each wine is accompanied by a video in which a renowned sommelier introduces the variety and guides the tasting.
Of all wines, 22 are single-varietal wines from the Raíces brand and two are iconic wines from the winery, Roots 1 Red and Roots 1 White.
The varieties included, all of them native and from 15 wine-growing regions of Spain, are: Albariño, Albillo, Albarín, Bobal, Bruñal, Eva, Garnacha, Garnacha Blanca, Godello, Graciano, Juan García, Malvar, Mazuela, Mencía, Monastrell, Prieto Picudo, Rufete, Tempranillo, Tintorera, Treixadura, Verdejo and Xarel·lo.
"This calendar has exceeded our expectations since its inception. For us, it's not just a product; it's a statement of principles. We aim to showcase the incredible varietal richness that exists in Spain and contribute to ensuring that many of these grapes survive. And to do so in partnership with 24 wine professionals, who have so generously joined us, is a privilege. We are deeply grateful to them,” he says. Andrea Draper, Marketing Manager at Raíces Ibéricas.
These are the 24 wine professionals participating in this year's Raíces Ibéricas advent calendar:
· Mariano Rodriguez, head sommelier of Arzak***, which tastes Roots 1 Red.
· Hannes Hooyberghs, sommelier Nuance**, which tastes Graciano Roots.
· Femke Colenbiem, sommelier Le Julien*, which tastes Albarín Roots.
· Xavi González, sommelier Els Tinars*, which tastes Raíces Garnacha Blanca.
· Miguel Angel Navarro, sommelier in L'Antic Molí*, which tastes Albillo roots.
· Alexis Chica, sommelier Queviures Serra, which tastes Garnacha Roots.
· Kathleen SmithDipWSET, which tastes Bruñal Roots.
· Javier Iturrarte, responsible for sales of Wine Merchant, which tastes Malvar Roots.
· Arnau Curiel, sommelier La Llotja Espai Gastronòmic, which tastes Monastrell Roots.
· Sandra Buch, a Jerez wine trainer and expert in DO Cava, who tastes Rufete Roots.
· María Inés Gálvez, sommelier Relais & Chateaux, which tastes Juan García Roots.
· Sara Oliva, sommelier, who tastes Xarel·lo Roots.
· Diego Tornel, best sommelier of the Canary Islands 2024, who tastes Eve's Roots.
· Blanca Duarte, opinion leader in Mexico, who tastes Albariño Roots.
· Hugo Vinet, sommelier The Golden Goat, which tastes Roots 1 White.
· Tom Smet, sommelier The Old Castle, which tastes Mencía Roots.
· Karolina Reinhold, head sommelier of Bombay Hotel Group, which tastes Verdejo Roots.
· Silvia Ortúñez, sommelier supervisor at The Library Wine Boutique, which tastes Roots of the Dye.
· Alberto Ruffoni, sommelier, wine communicator, who tastes Treixadura Roots.
· Irem Eren, sommelier, who tastes Prieto Picudo roots.
· Mike DeSimone, journalist, wine educator and editor of Robb report, which tastes Mazuela Roots.
· Patxi Jiménez, sommelier The Enjoyer, which tastes Tempranillo roots.
· Julian Mascali, sommelier in Can Ugal, which tastes Bobal roots.
· Lars Kleverlaan, sommelier in Toet Amsterdam, which tastes Godello Roots.
The Raíces Ibéricas advent calendar is now available in the winery's online store and at specialized points of sale.
