Hammeken Press Book 2021

HAMMEKEN CELLARS

BOO

HAMMEKEN CELLARS

WE'RE NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPANISH WINE COMPANY. Hammeken Cellars is not your typical Spanish wine company. Danish Founder Nicholas Hammeken is a modernist by nature and trained as a cellar master before immersing himself in the wine trade. His technical background left him with a profound respect for quality, while years spent working in the vibrant retail market in the United Kingdom taught him to appreciate the consumer perspective and the appeal of friendly wines at every price point. Hammeken found his way to Spain in 1996. A spirit of optimism reigned after the Barcelona Olympics, and there was opportunity everywhere, especially in wine. Vines that had been leh untouched for generations were newly discovered. Native Spanish grape varieties were unknown, but the pure fruit expression was irresistible. By 2001, informed by years of travel in Spain, Hammeken had unlocked a winning approach: to use indigenous fruit from the best places in Spain to create fresh, approachable wines with partners who share in his modern vision.

THIS IS THE HAMMEKEN WAY.

MAKING WINES IN THE BEST PLACES IN SPAIN Hammeken Cellars is dedicated to making wines throughout Spain that are the most representative of each region. Making wines in the best places requires the best partners, and a collaborative approach that sets Hammeken Cellars apart.

Wine director Marcelo Morales brings over 20 years of winemaking experience to lead a team of 6 winemakers and quality controllers throughout Spain.

IT ALL STARTS WITH THE BEST FRUIT. Hammeken does not own all their vineyards - they do own a quality approach that stands apart. The winemakers work with long-term partners to source fruit in over 20 regions. Hammeken fruit is selected row-by-row, to ensure that the style and profile of the wine meet exacting specifications. The best quality fruit comes from the best partnerships; from the start of the growing season to the harvest date, the team works with their growers to make every decision matter.

LOCAL WINEMAKING Each wine is made on-site in a designated cellar location by the Hammeken wine team. They use their own dedicated cellar space and custom equipment to control every aspect from receiving the grapes to fermentation and maturation.

LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS Wine requires long-term thinking and confidence in partners that will stand the test of time. Hammeken believes in a collaborative approach and is invested with every winery partner in their business success. It's a nexible model that allows Hammeken to build brands with no compromise on quality. Flexibility also allows for innovation: Hammeken leads other Spanish wineries in vegan and organic winemaking.

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BIG PARTY? Screw caps are your friend. For easier cleanup, rent glassware, usually about $1 a stem, from local party rental companies.

2019 INAMA SOAVE CLASSICO ($16)

Classic Soave: crisp, mouthwatering, with pear and apple flavors and a slight almond note that lingers. lnama is a top Soave producer, and its 2019 vintage maintains its hold on that claim.

2019 RADIO BOKA TEMPRANILLO ($2313 LITERS)

2019 CHEMISTRY WILLAMETTE VALLEY PINOT GRIS ($14)

A collaboration between Oregon's Stoller Family Estate and Chehalem Winery, this white has scintillating nectarine and sweet citrus aromas: it's juicy and ripe, with flavors in a similar vein.

2019 SOKOL BLOSSER EVOLUTION LUCKY NO. 9 WHITE ($1811.5 LITERS)

This Tempranillo from Spain's Castilla region is full of dark berry and plum flavors, with a mocha-oak note. Crowd-pleasing is the word: the same goes for the cool retro-radio look of the 3-liter box.

Oregon mainstay Sokol Blosser's popular Evolution white is now out in nifty 1.5-liter boxes (about 10 glasses). Made from a host of white grapes, it's full of crisp melon and citrus flavors.

2019 TERRE BRULEE CHENIN BLANC ($12)

2018 ICONIC SIDEKICK CABERNET SAUVIGNON ($18)

Vincent Careme, a Loire Valley star, recently started this South African project (his wife, Tania, is from the Cape region). His deft touch with Chenin Blanc translates seamlessly into this bright. peachy-lemony white.

If you want a Cabernet that seems designed to go with a roast bird, this one fits the bill. It leans to the elegant side, with surprisingly long red cherry and currant notes and light, fine tannins.

2019 SANTA JULIA EL BURRO NATURAL MALBEC ($15)

Organic Argentine winery Santa Julia jumps into the natural wine game here (minimal intervention, no sulfur, natural yeasts, etc.).

Think spiced plum cake flavors but with a little raw­ yet-appealing edginess.

2018 INNOCENT BYSTANDER YARRA VALLEY PINOT NOIR ($20)

The eternal quest: Find a $20 Pinot that actually tastes good. Quest resolved: this Australian version, with layers of red cherry and raspberry fruit and hints of toasted herbs.

2019 BALLETTO ROSE OF PINOT NOIR ($20)

Rose makes for a fantastic Thanksgiving wine: who cares if it's November?

Winemaker Anthony Beckman's version may be Proven9al pale pink in hue, but its wild strawberry, tangerine, and spice intensity is all Sonoma.

December 9, 2021 Circulation: 979,700 Digital

11 Boxed Wines You Should Always Buy Laura Williams Bustos Gone are the days when the only way to drink wine was from a corked, glass bottle imported from Italy, France, or Spain.

Modern bottling (and canning and bagging) techniques have made it completely possible to enjoy a glass of your favorite wine that just so happens to be poured (or otherwise decanted) from a box. Not to mention, there are real benefits to buying and enjoying boxed wine. For one thing, most of the standard boxes contain the equivalent of around four bottles of wine.

Plus, the way the wine is bagged and released keeps oxygen from entering, which keeps the wine fresh for several months without going bad. And because you're paying for the packaging for a single box and bag, rather than separate bottles, corks, and labels, buying boxed tends to be more cost-effective. So whether you're buying to imbibe on your own, or you're stocking up for a big event, enjoying boxed wine just makes sense.

And to put the icing on the cake, boxed wines aren't a thing to be scoffed at — many boxes win awards for their high-quality taste, and as more people accept the trend, options continue to grow. So if you're in the market to pick up a box (or three, no one's judging), keep your eyes peeled for these delicious options.

8. Radio Boka Tempranillo When you're looking for a great Spanish wine, you don't have to buy a bottle, just keep your eyes peeled (the box shouldn't be hard to spot) for Radio Boka Tempranillo. The box is produced by Hammeken Cellars in Spain, and uses 100-percent Tempranillo grapes. In 2020 the box was named Editor's Pick by Food & Wine, and was rated 92 points by the Toronto Star. In other words, its got the credentials to back up its high-quality claims.

Radio Boka wants its wines to carry you to a different world, where good friends, good memories, and good music surround you. So grab a box before you head to the park or to another outdoor gathering with your favorite people. The medium-body and cherry and spice flavors pair nicely with grilled meats, so it's the perfect accompaniment for picnic favorites, whether you pack a simple charcuterie, or you fire up the grill to make burgers and brats on the beach. You can even turn this wine into a sweet and sparkly cocktail (if you're looking to mix things up) — it would be the perfect summertime option when you want a red wine on a warm night.

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June 9, 2021 Circulation: 5,000,000

Think Inside the Box for Summer Party Wines David Falchek

Box wine can make your backyard get-together shine while keeping the party going.

The 3-liter wine boxes, more accurately a bag in a box, hold the equivalent of four bottles of wine. Finding a good one with mass appeal could be the key to summer entertaining.

Box wine is all about the packaging. Lighter and more convenient than a few glass bottles, box wine can go anywhere, even where glass may not be a good idea, i.e. patios and pools. Also, it's eco-friendly and recyclable.

The packaging and product in Radio Boka is party­ ready. The 3-liter box is designed to look like an antique radio with "Broadcasting from Spain" on the front.

Radio Box Tempranillo Vino de la Tierra de Castillo smells of berries and tastes like cherry and red strawberry with a hint of vanilla. The wine is straightforward and fruity with low tannins and acidity. Enjoyable and inoffensive, this should be a crowd-pleaser. This wine quickly sold out at the start of the season, but you can find others under the brand and look for its return. $20. HHHH

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August 3, 2021 Circulation: 915,200 Digital

Wine and wild: 10 summery wines perfect for sipping by, on and in the water Gina Birch

There’s a certain amount of romance that surrounds wine. The sound of a cork as it's pulled from a bottle, the ceremony of smelling, swirling and tasting in a polished glass.

It can all seem so, well, formal.

Wine isn't always pretentious. It can and should be fun. It’s not reserved for folks who work in boardrooms. It’s also for those in board shorts and bikinis. Winemakers are finding more and more ways to make their products more approachable, especially when it comes to imbibing outdoors, around the pool or at the beach this summer.

When planning and packing for the great outdoors, wine drinkers want refreshment and convenience without sacrificing quality. And if there's a way to shave off a few calories and keep things light, that's great too.

Radio Boka Tempranillo Another summer red in a delightfully vintage design, put this radio-themed wine box under the umbrella next to your boom box and pour from its convenient spout. From Spain, this tempranillo has flavors of summer fruits such as dark cherry and strawberries, with a little vanilla and spice. Keep it on hand for grilling, and remember that even red wine benefits from some time in the refrigerator or cooler on a hot summer day.

August 3, 2021 Circulation: 751,100 Digital

Wine and wild: 10 summery wines perfect for sipping by, on and in the water Gina Birch

There’s a certain amount of romance that surrounds wine. The sound of a cork as it's pulled from a bottle, the ceremony of smelling, swirling and tasting in a polished glass.

It can all seem so, well, formal.

Wine isn't always pretentious. It can and should be fun. It’s not reserved for folks who work in boardrooms. It’s also for those in board shorts and bikinis. Winemakers are finding more and more ways to make their products more approachable, especially when it comes to imbibing outdoors, around the pool or at the beach this summer.

When planning and packing for the great outdoors, wine drinkers want refreshment and convenience without sacrificing quality. And if there's a way to shave off a few calories and keep things light, that's great too.

Radio Boka Tempranillo Another summer red in a delightfully vintage design, put this radio-themed wine box under the umbrella next to your boom box and pour from its convenient spout. From Spain, this tempranillo has flavors of summer fruits such as dark cherry and strawberries, with a little vanilla and spice. Keep it on hand for grilling, and remember that even red wine benefits from some time in the refrigerator or cooler on a hot summer day.

Hammeken Cellars - Value Wines from Spain by a Danish Name

August 16, 2021 Circulation: 9,500 Digital

Christy Canterbury, MW

It's not every day you run into a Dane making wines in Spain. Nicholas Hammeken founded his winery in 1996 after honing his marketing and sales skills for years in the UK and falling in love with Spain. The Hammeken Cellars labels wow with their spunky, fun attitudes, and his value-driven wines are lively and made for early drinking.

Gran Castillo Rocío NV Cava Brut 11.5% Smelling of beeswax, yellow plum and golden apple skin, this aromatic and generously flavored sparkler is set to make many friends between its attractive combo of fruit-driven and savory characters. Showing good mid-palate heft with persistent, refreshing bubbles, lightly tangy acidity and a dry finish, this is nice on its own as well as with savory dishes. 87 Gran Castillo Rocío NV Cava Brut Rosé 12.5% Showing a sweet-tart profile, this is a rather awkward on the palate. Rhubarb, candied strawberry and dried flowers start off the nose and follow onto the palate where a searing dryness quickly wipes off the fruit flavors. The light mid-palate plumpness is pleasant, but the disappearing finish leaves much wanting. 83 Gotas de Mar 2020 Albariño Rías Baixas 13% Showy and dynamic, this Albariño is a wildly fruit-driven wine with emphatic peach core flavors highlighted by ginger spice.

Medium in body with good structural oomph, this is ready to enjoy now and has solid structure to hold a few years. 88 Piquitos 2019 Moscato Valencia 11% Juicy with oodles of ripe apricot, peach and wildflower blooms, this is a dynamic Moscato ready to make lots of friends. It's mouthcoating and generous in texture and its fruit-forward qualities make it a perfume powerhouse. Ready to enjoy! 86

Review: 2019 Piquitos Moscato

July 9, 2021 Circulation: 144,000 Digital

Christopher Null

Piquitos are little kisses, and that’s an apt description for this frizzante moscato from Valencia on the Mediterranean Coast. Bold with fruity peach and apricot notes, this low-alcohol bottling is kept on its feet thanks to a healthy level of fizz, which allows some of the more floral and slightly grassy elements to show.

There’s a touch of caramel and some spice elements as the finish builds, and though they don’t always fit perfectly with the fruit bomb up front, these additional elements do add some needed complexity.

Rating: B

July 7, 2021 Circulation: 5000 Digital

Radio Boka BiB Tempranillo Robin Shreeves

Good wine is good wine, right? Whether it comes in a bottle with a cork or a screw cap, or it’s packaged in a can, a tetra pak, or a box, once it’s out of its package and into your glass, if it’s good, it’s good.

The thing is, finding good wine that comes in packaging that’s not a bottle can be challenging.

It’s out there, and increasingly more and more enjoyable wine is showing up sans bottle.

Radio Boka’s Tempranillo in BiB packaging (bag in box) is one of those wines. Made from 100% Tempranillo from vines thirty plus years old from Spain’s Castilla region where Tempranillo is king.

Boxed wine appeals to me for a few reasons. It’s less expensive in general because it’s never very high end wine (I’m not giving away any secret there) and because the equivalent of four bottles is in one 3 liter box, there’s an economy of scale going on. It’s great for parties. There’s a sustainability advantage to boxed wine. (It’s estimated that a 3 liter box has half the emissions of a 750 ml bottle.)

But, the most appealing thing for me is the longevity of the wine in an open box of wine. Because almost no air gets into the bag when the wine is poured through the box’s spigot and the bag collapses as the wine is released, wines can last up to six weeks after you pour the first glass.

My boyfriend prefers to drink white wine. I like white, but sometimes I want red when I’m at his house. And, if I don’t finish the bottle at his house, it may be days before I return and the wine can go to waste. So, I thought I’d give Radio Boka Tempranillo a try.

Keeping the box in the cool basement after I poured the first glass, I’ve been sipping on the wine for the past six weeks.

(Refrigerating boxed wine or keeping it in cool conditions helps the wine stay fresh longer.)

The Tempranillo is fresh and fruity - lots of cherries, blackberries, plum, spice and some chocolate. There’s a bit of a tootsie roll vibe going on when it’s first poured, but that mellows as the wine opens and becomes smooth. Using a decanter to pour a few glasses into to drink throughout the evening is a good idea. I don’t think it’s bone dry, but dry enough for my palate, with low but perceptible acids and tannins. It’s a good wine at a great value wine (about $23 for the box).

July 4, 2021 Circulation: 10,000 Digital RADIO BOKA VERDEJO

From the Castilla region in Spain, this Verdejo has aromas of zesty lemon blossoms, ripe apples with notes of peach and minerals. Clean finish, brisk with refreshing acidity. Suggested retail is $1O.99. AVAILABLE FROM Abacus Distributing.

July 1, 2021 Circulation: 52,000 Digital

TipsnTrends Featured Issues: July 2021 As Featured In:

July 2, 2021 Circulation: 134,800 Digital

RADIO BOKA TEMPRANILLO - SOFT, SWEET AND EASY Jon Thorsen

Tempranillo from Castilla-La Mancha, Spain that is partially aged in 100% French Oak. The wine has 15 g/L of residual sugar.

Sample submitted for review. A 3 liter box of the Radio Boka Tempranillo can be found for under $20 (about $5/bottle).

It is imported by Hammeken Cellars.

The Radio Boka Tempranillo opens with sweet fruit aromas with just a hint of spice.

The wine tastes soft and sweet. It's easy to drink but that's about it. It features mostly just sweet fruit on the palate, and there's not a whole lot else going on. It finishes fruity with pretty good length.

Given the super low price (the equivalent of $5 for a 750ml bottle), it's a decent pick but don't be fooled by the fact that this is Tempranillo, which does not usually have this much residual sugar. This one is definitely for those who like their wine a little on the sweet side.

RADIO BOKA TEMPRANILLO BOX Taste: 6

Cost: 10

OVERALL RATING: 7

July 2, 2021 Circulation: 19,200 Social

Instagram @reversewinesnob | Jon Thorsen

June 17, 2021 Circulation: 10,000

Three Fabulous Spanish Wines to Pair with All of Your Summer Fun Lisa Cascio Mays Summer is here, ya’ll! Long hot days fade into warm summer nights and we need wines to pair with everything that goes along with summer.

Here are three approachable and fun Spanish wines masterfully made

by Hammeken Cellars. Danish Founder Nicholas Hammeken realized the potential of Spain’s most cherished indigenous grapes. Each wine is irresistible with its fresh pure fruit expression.

When you think of summer, our minds and our palates go to anything that can be cooked outdoors on the grill or smoker and fresh crisp salads. I discovered that each of these wines are perfect with summer meals. These wines pair so easily with smoked or grilled salmon, lobster, shrimp and tacos and even a cool fruit-based dessert.

Radio Boka is made from 100% Tempranillo which is the noble red grape of Spain from 30-year-old vines from Castilla in the heart of Spain.

This is a red wine made for summertime!

On the first sip, this beautiful, young Tempranillo is juicy with dark and red fruits (cherry, blackberry, plum) a hint of earthiness and warm spices. This red Spanish wine is fun and lively with very balanced tannins and acidity. It will make any red wine lover happy! We enjoyed it with a smoked beef tenderloin and if you love burgers from the grill (and who doesn’t), you have found your wine.

Radio Boka was named an Editor’s Pick by Food & Wine last year so you know you can’t go wrong with this beauty.

Gotas de Mar is wine made from the most important white Spanish grape, Albariño. It originates from the coastal origins from the Rías Baixas region in Galicia, on the northwestern coast of Spain. The name Gotas Del Mar means “sea spray” and the sea-blue bottle celebrates the region of origin for this young and lively wine.

This Albariño is perfect for all of your summer wine needs and white wine lovers will go crazy over this one.

From aromas of apricots, peaches, and white flowers to the fresh lemon zest on the palate, you will love this bright but balanced acidity and minerality and well it pairs with summer seafood dishes and fresh, light salads.

From fresh salads with fruit and mint to seafood, shellfish, spicy tacos, and dessert, Piquitos Moscato is the all-around perfect wine.

It screams summer in a most delightful and delicate way.

Piquitos means “little kisses.” Valencia on Spain’s sunny, Mediterranean coast is where this Moscato is grown, and it is one beautiful wine.

Moscato from Spain? You bet. If you associate the Moscato grape from Italy, broaden your wine horizons to include this true-tocharacter wine. On the nose you can detect mandarin, orange blossoms and honeysuckle. It naturally boasts a refreshing sweetness and balanced with its light acidity. Even more satisfaction comes from the slight tingling of the delicate bubbles.

September 22, 2021 Circulation: 10,000 Digital

IG LIVE WITH ALLIE DORAN + RADIO BOKA Sara Bozich

Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. EST as Allie Doran and I GO LIVE with Radio Boka wines for a tasting of Radio Boka’s (fun! affordable! available!) Tempranillo and a tapas-style recipe from Allie’s cookbook, Venison Every Day. IG LIVE 📺 🦌 I’m a big fan of Miss Allie’s Kitchen – her takes on venison are a true game-changer for cooking game meats at home easily and deliciously. During this live, she’ll be sharing her Chorizo Sweet Potato Nachos recipe!

Radio Boka Tempranillo is a fun, medium-bodied red wine with notes of fresh cherry. A perfect accompaniment to pretty much anything.

GIVEAWAY Join us over on Instagram NOW to enter to WIN a signed copy of Venison Every Day and a $50 Fine Wine & Good Spirits gift card from Allie and me!

FINE PRINT: Giveaway runs through 9.26.21. Winner announced during IG LIVE on 9.29 (if you can’t make the live, we’ll message you after!). No parts of this are affiliated with Instagram.

September 22, 2021 Circulation: 6,440 Social

Instagram | #Giveaway: Radio Boka Tempranillo @sarabozich | Sara Bozich

September 22, 2021 Circulation: 12,800 Social

Instagram | #Giveaway: Radio Boka Tempranillo @miss.allieskitchen | Allie Doran

September 23, 2021 Circulation: 10,000 Digital

WEEKEND ROUNDUP 9/23 Sara Bozich Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! ADD TO CALENDAR [NEW] Wednesday, Sept. 29 – I’m doing an IG LIVE with Allie Doran from Miss Allie’s Kitchen, as we talk tapas (from her cookbook!) and Radio Boka wine (a super affordable and drinkable tempranillo).

September 23, 2021 Circulation: 6,463 Social

Instagram | Weekend Roundup 9.23 (New Event: IG Live with @miss.allieskitchen and @radioboka) @sarabozich | Sara Bozich

September 27, 2021 Circulation: 6,463 Social

Instagram | Wine that’s easy-drinking, fun and affordable? Radio Boka Tempranillo @sarabozich | Sara Bozich

September 29, 2021 Circulation: 19,263 Social

IGTV/IGLIVE | @radioboka Wine Tasting & Sweet Potato Nachos @miss.allieskitchen | Allie Doran & @Sarabozich | Sara Bozich

September 30, 2021 Circulation: 10,000 Digital

WEEKEND ROUNDUP 9/30 Sara Bozich Plan your weekend with my weekly list of things to do around Harrisburg and central PA! FOR YOUR WEEKEND PLANNING: Did you catch my IG LIVE last night with Radio Boka wine?

June 17, 2021 l

Instagram: Three Fabulous Spanish Wines to Pair with Summer Fun @winewithlisa: Lisa Cascio Mays

June 9, 2021 Circulation: 48,600

Instagram: #NationalBestFriendsDay with Piquitos @kansascitybucketlist

June 9, 2021 Circulation: 70,000

#WineWednesday: Cheers To Picnic, Pool and Patio Portables Robin Barr Sussman Summer is here and we’re thinking about the lake, the beach, toting a picnic or planning a pool party. And good wine must be a part of the fun!

Enter the newest slew of perky portables: Cans and boxes are durable, light, inexpensive and environmentally friendly (but yep, we still love screw top bottles). And did you know that cans also protect against light and oxygen, keeping the wine fresh? Pop the top—no corkscrew required.

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX Radio Boka Tempranillo, a medium bodied, racy red with fresh cherry and spice flavors from Valencia, Spain, has joined the box scene. Into good tunes? Committed to supporting emerging artists, the wine is packaged in a tricked-out box artfully designed like a vintage radio to carry along to parties and picnics. A great hostess gift!

May 12, 2021 Circulation: 66,600 Digital

New Release: Piquitos from Valencia

We’re pleased to share one of the newest releases from Hammeken Cellars, Piquitos Moscato. Light, crisp and refreshing with a touch of sweetness, Piquitos means “little kisses” in Spanish and is designed in every way to share the love. Made by the team from Hammeken Cellars in Spain, Piquitos is a frizzante Moscato made in sunny Valencia on the Mediterranean Coast. The wine bursts with mandarin peel, honeysuckle and sweet orange blossom. A well-balanced Moscato, Piquitos delivers a hint of sweetness with a lively style that works on its own or in a spritz cocktail. The “heart” on the label captures the spirit of Piquitos: it’s a wine to gift, savor and share with friends. (SRP: $11.99)

March 3, 2021 Circulation: 10,000

Where Music and Wine Collide: Radio Boka

Debbie Gioquindo

Meet Nicholas Hammeken Back in October when we were doing Monastrell for Winephabet Street and we had Nicholas Hammeken, founder of Hammeken Cellars as our guest. While researching for this episode I noticed he also produced a wine brand called Radio Boka. This immediately caught my attention. Me and the wine connected!

Hammeken Cellars isn’t your ordinary winery. Nicholas is Danish and was working in the wine industry in the UK. His wife who is a dentist had the opportunity to relocate to Spain and in 2001 Hammeken Cellars released their first wine brand.

Their philosophy is to source indigenous grapes from the best places in Spain and create fresh, approachable wines with growers that share the same vision.

Radio Boka Music plays such an important role in our lives as does wine. When you hear that song on the radio or digital music platform it brings you back to a memorable time, the right tune can create excitement on an otherwise boring day.

You open that bottle of wine and the aromas take you back to a time in your childhood. The wine’s bright acidity might create excitement or chewy tannins, romance.

Now combine the music and wine and you have an explosion of good vibes around you. Excitement.

Romance. Love. Fun. Memories!

Radio Boka is where friendship and music collide. It’s about having fun in life, enjoying today with the people you love and creating memories. The best is it comes in “three frequencies” Verdejo, Rose and Tempranillo all produced to show their fresh and lively expressions. Also packaged in a three-liter box in the shape of an old car radio. That will be great for the beach, the boat or the pool this summer. The bottles are all priced at $9.99 – so affordable.

Radio Boka Verdejo – 100% Verdejo from 25 year old vines. This wine is unoaked with lively citrus and green apple notes followed by medium-plus acidity. I see this wine sitting by the pool or watching the summer sunset.

Radio Boka Rose – This is a blend of 80% Tempranillo, 20% Bobal from 30+-year-old vines with strawberry, cherry and rhubarb notes. The perfect wine for the beach or the hike.

Radio Boka Tempranillo – 100% Tempranillo from 30+-year-old vines and partial aging in 100% French oak. Nice fresh red fruit with cinnamon spice on the finish. This wine is perfect for the summer BBQ!

April 15, 2021 Circulation: 5,000

2019 Radio Boka Tempranillo Michael Chelus At the end of last year, I brought you a wine from Spain's Hammeken Cellars. The first wine we enjoyed from Nicholas Hammeken's winery was a red wine that derived its name from the tradition of creating epic Westerns starring Hollywood legends in Spain - the 2019 El Gringo Tempranillo bottled for Hammeken Cellars. Today, we return to Spain for a red wine from another label in the Hammeken Cellars portfolio: This wine is 100% tempranillo from Castilla. After a fermentation that lasted 12 days, the wine was aged in a combination of stainless steel and French oak barrels. It comes in at 13.5% ABV. Here it is in the glass:

The wine showed a dark ruby color. Cherry, raspberry preserves, currant, mossy earth and oak could all be found on the nose. Cherry, blackberry, raspberry preserves, currant, plum and oak followed on a palate alive with ripe berry fruit.

The wine was full-bodied and exhibited good length along with soft tannins. This wine would pair very well with a wood-fired pizza topped with speck and arugula.

This wine* is distributed throughout the United States and will be release in the very near future!

Stay tuned for more from Hammeken Cellars!

April 28, 2021 Circulation: 5,978

Instagram @sarabozich: Sara Bozich

October 12, 2020 Circulation: 95,800

Susurration Ron Skjong

To softly repeat what we all know, there’s a whole lot of stress, anxiety and tension in today’s world. I know that sentence will not surprise you but sometimes we have to face the “elephant” in the room before we can let it out of the room. The key to that escape is finding the right key to the right door.

And, that’s where susurration comes into play.

Amidst the freneticism of our daily lives, let’s invite in a little whispering.

So, let's find a way to relax.

That’s when it’s time to turn to a nice Radio Boka Verdejo. After your whispering walk, unscrew the cap from the chilled bottle, pour a glass of the fresh wine and think about what you just experienced during your walk. The crisp green apple taste will refresh you and rejuvenate your being for another round of today’s world.

As always, eat and drink in moderation but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!

October 13, 2020 Circulation: 5,300,000

Wine, etc.: Wine Picks

Tom Marquardt and Patrick Darr

Wine picks •

Radio Boka Rosé VDT Castilla 2019 ($10-12). Made from mostly tempranillo (80 percent) with a dash of bobal, this Spanish wine is an outstanding value. Not overly complicated, but an interesting fruit forward rosé with cherry, strawberry and citrus notes. Great value! We also loved its sister wine the Radio Boka Tempranillo 2019 ($10-12) medium bodied with its cherry and strawberry inflected nose and flavors. Just a wee touch of oak completes the package.

July 1, 2020 Circulation: 459,600

Red, White and Brew: Easy-drinking classics for Fourth of July Jeff Anderson and Josh Pipkin

With the Fourth of July weekend upon us, it seems like everyone is getting outside. Where are you going this week? Camping, boating, hiking or just grilling in your own backyard safely away from the craziness?

No matter what you are doing, here are some wines and beers to try this holiday weekend.

Wines The cool packaging of the Radio Boka boxed wine is just a quick hint at what’s inside.

Ever since this pandemic hit, boxed wine has gone nuts. No glass to break. The wine stays fresh for over a month so fewer trips to the store. (But here at Boone’s Wine and Spirits, we’ll miss you if you don’t come by. There’s always a need for something else to pair.)

Everyone knows Black Box and Bota Box as they are best sellers in the box wine market, but there are many smaller brands out there making great wine in a box. Radio Boka is one of those smaller brands making great wine. It has a fun package that looks like an old-timey radio. The wine is fresh and delicious.

The rosé is made from 80% Tempranillo and 20% Bobal grapes. This fantastic Spanish rosé is bursting with wild strawberry, fresh red cherries, raspberries and a hint of lavender. At the end, it is lush and fruity, perfect for a hot afternoon.

The Tempranillo is a dark red with aromas of black cherry, cedar and spice. It is lightly aged in French oak.

The black cherry continues on the palate with strawberry and ripe plums. The finish is soft with silky tannins, dark fruits and spice.

Great wines, fun packaging and an amazingly low sale price make Radio Boka perfect for all your holiday weekend fun. Regularly $21.99, grab these for $17.99 at Boone’s in Eagle.

June 24, 2020 Circulation: 70,000

HAMMEKEN CELLARS, NOT YOUR TYPICAL SPANISH WINE COMPANY, FINDS SUCCESS REACHING YOUNG CONSUMERS WITH RADIO BOKA, INCLUDING POPULAR 3-LITER BAG IN BOX – Radio Boka 3-Liter Bag in Box reports 53% growth in 2020 shipments worldwide – – El Gringo and Hammeken Boutique Wines also thriving with approachable, quality-to-value wines made from authentic Spanish varieties – June 23, 2020 (Alicante, Spain) – Hammeken Cellars, a leading producer of Spanish wines, is counting on the popular appeal of their Radio Boka and El Gringo lifestyle wines to increase distribution in the U.S. Hammeken is focused on an unconventional approach to build lifestyle wines in the U.S., as well as more boutique wines such as Tosalet (Priorat), Oráculo (Ribera del Duero) and Pasas (Yecla).

Available in Tempranillo, Verdejo and rosé, Radio Boka is particularly appealing to young consumers, who have responded positively to the approachable range of Spanish varieties, as well as a popular 3-Liter Bag in Box format that has grown 53% in shipments to all markets year-to-date.

“Together with our distributor partners, we’re excited to see how young consumers respond to our wines and are confident that there is room to grow the Spanish category in the U.S.,” said Nicholas Hammeken, Founder & CEO of Hammeken Cellars. “Radio Boka plays upon their love of sharing wine and music, and delivers a fresh, easy-to-drink flavor profile based on Spain’s top varieties. We see an opportunity to deliver a wider range of choices in the Spanish wine category, such as our sustainably made 3-Liter Box for Radio Boka, as well as vegan and organic wines.”

Learn more about Hammeken Cellars An independent thinker, Founder & CEO Nicolas Hammeken is a cellarmaster by training who developed an appreciation for the consumer appeal of approachable, quality wines after years in the retail sector. By 2001, informed by years of travel in Spain, Hammeken had unlocked a winning approach: to use indigenous fruit from the best places in Spain to create fresh, approachable wines with partners who share in his modern vision. The company takes an unconventional approach; they do not own all their vineyards and prefer to work with long-term partners to source fruit in over 20 regions. Wine director Marcelo Morales brings over 20 years of winemaking experience, to lead a team of 6 winemakers and quality controllers throughout Spain. Each wine is made on-site in a designated cellar location with custom equipment reserved exclusively for the Hammeken wine team to manage every aspect from receiving the grapes to fermentation and maturation. It’s a flexible model that allows Hammeken to build brands with no compromise on quality. Flexibility also allows for innovation: Hammeken leads other Spanish wineries in the development of vegan and organic winemaking.

Recognized as one of the leading producers in Spain, Hammeken Cellars exports over 1.5 million cases each year to over 30 countries. Top brands include bestsellers like Radio Boka and El Gringo as well as critically acclaimed expressions of place in over 20 regions of Spain like Tosalet (Priorat), Oráculo (Ribera del Duero) and Pasas (Yecla).

Hammeken Cellars is based in Alicante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

HAMMEKEN CELLARS

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

Circulation: 70,000

TO A GatewayA GATEWAY to

SPAIN

The Hammeken Cellars team includes six classically trained winemakers.

Everything Old World Is

New Again HAMMEKEN CELLARS CREATES SPANISH WINES FOR THE MODERN PALATE by Paris Vasser Both the scent of orange peels and

the breeze of the Mediterranean are captured inside a glass of Piquitos (“Little Kisses”) Moscato—making it a fitting ode to the Valencia region, which is known for its sprawling orange groves. It’s but one expression that pays homage to the wine regions of Spain in the portfolio of the Alicante-based Hammeken Cellars, led by founder, director of innovation,

Director of winemaking Marcelo Morales, winemaker Patricia Lozano, and head of quality control Carlos Orgilés in the vineyards.

and 25-year industry veteran Nicholas Hammeken. Hammeken Cellars is not your typical Spanish wine company in that it relies on long-held partnerships with top growers in over 20 regions to source its grapes as well as a team of six classically trained winemakers who are constantly on the move, overseeing vineyard and cellar facilities to choose the best fruit of the harvest and produce their wines on location.

Their eagle-eyed approach to sourcing is fully realized in Piquitos, which comprises 100% Muscatel from the Valle Valentino and Alto Turia

vineyards in Valencia to exemplify one of Hammeken Cellars’ core tenets: respecting the personality of the fruit.

“What we wanted to do with this [wine] is show the fantastic floral and orangeblossom notes from these [sites],” says Hammeken, adding that it contains a little carbon dioxide for a refreshing fizz. “If you want to know how Muscatel should taste, Piquitos is a pretty good place to start.”

With over 30 wines for every occasion, the rest of Hammeken Cellars’ lineup likewise invites consumers to explore the diversity of Spain. The 2020 Gotas de Mar Albariño, for example, highlights the cool Atlantic terroir of Rías Baixas, while Tosalet (meaning “hill” in Catalan) offers Garnacha Blanca from the lesser-known northeastern region of Terra Alta as well as elegant Garnacha and Carignan from Priorat.

And Radio Boka reflects the company’s knack for appealing to an emerging generation of wine drinkers with a classic Tempranillo packaged both in bottle and in a bestselling 3-liter bag-in-box designed to resemble a vintage radio.

Hammeken Cellars’ dedication to delivering quality wines for modern tastes at a range of price points stems from a deep appreciation of Spain’s viticultural history. “The sheer variety of wines the country now exports has allowed [it] to establish an identity well beyond Tempranillo and Rioja,” Hammeken says, singling out the “mind-blowingly good” rosés from eastern Spain and fresh, bright Albariños with acidity and sea salt from cooler climates in the northwest.

His team is currently experimenting

94 THE TASTING PANEL ~ SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021

with Monastrell; a recent tasting of the results showcased the progress they have made in elevating its typically bold and rustic profile. “You have a wine coming from a nearly desert climate in Yecla and Jumilla, yet it shows freshness and bright, accessible fruit,” he notes. “It was a very proud moment for our team.”

Hammeken Cellars 2019 Piquitos Moscato, Valencia, Spain ($12) At

11% ABV, this lighthearted white delivers fizzy notes of apricot and lime meringue. The sweetness is not cloying but clean as it makes its entry with mouth-watering notes of tangerine, honeysuckle, and peach blossom.

91 —Meridith May Hammeken Cellars 2020 Gotas de Mar Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain ($22)

Fruit from 15- to 25-year-old vines spends six months aging sur lie. A sea breeze of salted pear and white flowers accents this high-toned white that engages in a graceful, linear dance, with lychee and peach sweetening its underlying stony nature. 92 —M.M. Hammeken Cellars 2019 Tosalet Garnacha Blanca, Terra Alta, Spain ($29) Dry-farmed fruit from northeast-

ern Spain partially ages in oak for four months to create this wine. Aromas of vanilla and wispy kiwi and lime are delicate on the nose. Flavors of apricot sorbet, wet stone, lemon blossom, and white tea combine within a gossamer mouthfeel. The thyme-citrus finish is lovely. 93 —M.M.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF HAMMEKEN CELLARS

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Q&A: NICHOLAS HAMMEKEN

October 12, 2020 Circulation: 554,100 Online

Lucy Shaw Nicholas Hammeken is the founder and CEO of Hammeken Cellars, which creates modern Spanish wine brands from across the country, including Priorat and Ribera del Duero, and exports them around the world. Founded in 1996, the Déniabased Hammeken Cellars exports over 1.5 million cases of Spanish wines a year to over 30 countries.

Aiming to infuse Spanish tradition and indigenous grapes with New World winemaking techniques, among the fruit forward Spanish wine brands the company has created with wine director Marcelo Morales since its inception are: Piquitos, Allegranza, Creencia, Gotas de Mar, Pasas and Radio Boka.

Hammeken Cellars recently signed an agreement with Fruit Driven Wines, which will exclusively represent their portfolio in the UK. 2020 has been a challenging year for all industries – how has the Spanish wine industry fared?

This year has been tough as the Spanish wine industry is very dependent on the domestic market, and a lack of tourism and reluctantly on the part of Spanish consumers to spend money has effected sales.

Everyone has had to adapt and there is still a lot of uncertainty, but certain companies will emerge as winners.

We did very well in the first couple of months of the year, and were enjoying 30% year-on-year growth, but hit the wall like everyone else in March. We have a mix of clients and have done very well in the off-trade and gained a lot of growth there. Our online sales have also done extremely well, but our on-trade and private retail sales have been hammered.

We have focused a lot on our major clients this year, like big monopolies, in Scandinavia and Canada, and the big retailers in northern Europe. We also recently signed an agreement with Fruit Driven Wines to represent our portfolio in the UK, so are aiming to have our wines in the UK next year, both at bigger retailers and small independent merchants.

You make wines across Spain, how was the 2020 vintage in terms of quality and quantity?

From looking very desperate in the spring due to too much rain, and a mildew concern, the vintage then stabilised and turned out to be a lot better than expected. The quality is a little bit inferior to 2019, as the wines are a little lower in alcohol. The yields in general will be bigger than last year.

We’ve been reducing our yields on purpose this year so as not to over produce, as there is a danger of a glut. Grape prices in Spain were very low a few months ago but are stabilising a bit now, but commodity wines from the 2020 vintage will be sold at low prices, especially as there are still wines from the 2019 vintage to be sold. Turning grapes into industrial alcohol is one way to avoid a glut. Spain needs to get rid of the poor, low quality wine from the 2020 harvest.

Rosé and organic wine are two of the big trends in Spain

What are the biggest trends in Spanish wine at the moment?

Spanish wine companies that are capturing the zeitgeist are doing really well at the moment. Over 25% of our business is now organic wines, which went from a niche to a major income driver for our company, in a trend that is set to grow even bigger, along with the trend for vegan Spanish wines. Spain is in a very strong position to capitalise on the organic wine boom, as it has the largest area of organic vine plantings in the world.

The rosé trend is here to stay. Spain has become a lot better at making lighter, commercial styles of rosé that the market is looking for, and has adapted well to that trend. There are a lot of attractive, good quality, well priced rosés being made across the country now.

Spanish reds in general are becoming more accessible, and there is a better balance between fruit and oak, with terroir playing a much bigger role. Castilla la Mancha has changed a lot as a region and the wines coming out of there are a lot more approachable, as are the Garnacha-based wines from Aragon. There is a new generation of young Spanish winemakers at the helm now who are well travelled and are making more elegant styles of wine. They are much more careful about preserving the fruit character.

We’ve had the trend for big bold reds and now the pendulum is swinging in the other direction towards lighter reds, which is interesting in a country with so much sun. The biggest quality increase in Spain has been with its whites. We’ve been identifying areas in the eastern part of La Mancha for cooler climate whites, and it’s making a huge difference on a large scale. We’re reducing yields and are making much more aromatic and well-balanced whites now from Viura and Verdejo. The vines are getting older too, which is adding complexity to the wines.

Is the perception of Spanish wines improving around the world?

Yes. Across the board the quality has been increasing a lot, and bit by bit, with marketing and social media, we are starting to see an increase in awareness of quality Spanish wines. With our range we are identifying where we can offer a point of difference to our consumers, and add value, such as making old vine reds from Jumilla and Yecla.

What are your plans for 2021?

We are investing a lot in promoting our wines at export. Our wines are on sale in the US through our own import company and will be coming to the UK next year through our collaboration with Fruit Driven Wines, in a project led by Nick Mantella.

We see a tremendous opportunity in the UK and look forward to developing the market. Our growth over the last decade has outperformed the Spanish wine category by offering a fresh and branded approach based on understanding what works for our consumers and trade partners.

HAMMEKEN CELLARS

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2021

October 14, 2021 Circulation: 96,400 Digital

SPANISH RENAISSANCE: FRESH AND LOCAL WINES NUDGE ‘SOPHISTICATION’ ASIDE James Suckling There’s no denying that the main calling card for Spanish wines is their affordability, although more sophisticated elements of the winemaking process itself, such as oak maturation, blending and oxidation, are seeping into the country’s overall wine personality profile and in some cases gaining an upper hand over more intrinsic factors like varietal character and provenance.

But over the last five to 10 years, we have also seen Spanish winemakers craft more balanced, fresh and terroir-transparent wines, with less of a focus on so-called sophistication in the process and more attention paid to local grape varieties. And after tasting nearly 1,500 Spanish wines this year, we see a renaissance happening in the country, with more wineries aiming to fine-tune their style and make more drinkable wines, showing plenty of nuance and less manipulated extraction or obvious new oak cosmetics.

Overall, it’s a better way of bringing authenticity to consumers’ dinner tables, giving them (and us) a chance to appreciate more aesthetically provocative wines. Winemakers are no longer simply producing coconutty, transparently flattering wines and expecting success. In fact, regions like Galicia are going in the opposite direction, breaking out of the hidebound winemaking mode and taking aim at a higher aesthetic: zingy freshness and drinkability.

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Castillo Rocio NV Gran Brut Rose (Cava).

Apricot, mi neral water, sali ne and petrol aromas make up the nose, which precedes a plump palate. Flavors of apple sauce, powdered sugar and almond croissant carry on the medium-long finish.

Hammeken Cellars USA. -M.S. abv: 12% Price: $20

August 31, 2021 Circulation: 96,400 Digital

VIÑEDOS DE ALTURA TEMPRANILLO RIOJA BELOKI 2020 James Suckling Country Region Vintage Score

Spain La Rioja 2020 91

A soft, creamy red with plum and berry character and just a touch of flowers. Medium body with medium, polished tannins and a fruity finish. Drink or hold.

August 31, 2021 Circulation: 96,400 Digital

VIÑEDOS DE ALTURA TEMPRANILLO RIOJA BELOKI CRIANZA 2018 James Suckling Country Region Vintage Score

Spain La Rioja 2018 92

Clarity and fruitiness to this with medium body, easy tannins and a chocolate, walnut undertone to the attractive ripe plum and berry flavors. Drink now.

August 31, 2021 Circulation: 96,400 Digital

GOTAS DE MAR GODELLO RIBEIRO FERMENTADO EN BARRICA 2020 James Suckling Country Region Vintage Score

Spain Galicia 2020 91

Baked apples, poached pears, lemon curd, vanilla and dried elderflowers on the nose. It’s medium-bodied with a waxy texture. Salted-butter and praline notes to close. Drink now.

dPinks business

March 2, 2021 Circula tion: 661,900

The best wines from The Autumn Tasting 2020 Patrick Schmitt

While our usual Master's competitions focus on a grape, region or style, our inaugural Autumn Tasting was open to all, and brought to light some exciting wines from parts of the world that might normally have been overlooked, writes Patrick Schmitt MW. This report contains the results from an entirely new tasting from the drinks business. Called the Autumn Tasting, it's a drinks competition defined by the time of year when the samples are judged, rather than their source region, style, or base grape variety. While our existing tastings take a snapshot of a particular area, certain styles or a noble grape, this is something different. It's the antithesis of our other, long-standing competitions, in that there are no restrictions to who can enter: all styles of wine are welcome.

However, the main purpose of this tasting is to assess the quality of the slightly unusual - the blends that are a bit different, the regions that are less recognised, and the varieties that are little-known. And that makes the Autumn Tasting a thrilling addition to our line-up. It also makes the results important for those in search of quality whatever the source or grape, including those who deliberately seek out anything that's an alternative to the norm. So, with that said, what did we find that was delicious and good value among our varied set of samples?

Still white wine - Unoaked Under £10

Hammeken Cellars Radio Baka Verdejo VdT Castilla Spain 2019 Silver

Still white wine - Unoaked £10 - £15

Hammeken Cellars Manos Libre Organic White VdT Castilla Spain 2019 Silver

Hammeken Cellars Gotas De Mar Albaririo Galicia Spain 2019 GOLD

dPinks business Still red wine - Unoaked Under £10

Hammeken Cellars Pasas Uva Tinta Yecla Spain

Hammeken Cellars Radio Boka Tempranillo VdT Castilla Spain

Silver

Silver

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Still red wine - Oaked Under £10

2019

Hammeken Cellars Manos Libre Organic Tempranillo-Sh iraz VDT Castilla Spain

2019

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Still red wine - Oaked

£10-£15

Hammeken Cellars El Gringo Dark Red Tempranillo VDT Castilla Spain

2019

Silver

Hammeken Cellars Creencia Con Juvented Jumilla Spain

2019

Silver

Review: 2020 Gotas de Mar Albarino Rias Baixas Christopher Null

In America we’ve become spoiled in recent years with the exceptional quality of Rias Baixas albarino wines that have made it to our shores.

This 2020 bottling from Gotas de Mar (“sea drops”) isn’t the most vibrant wine I’ve encountered from this iconic Spanish region, but it follows reasonably closely with expectations, showing off restrained notes of white peaches, a mild saline character, and a gentle gooseberry note on the back end. A bit creamier and less acidic than the typical albarino, but still in the wheelhouse. Ultimately, there’s nothing particularly game-changing here, but when served well-chilled it absolutely does the trick for summer sipping.

Rating: B

July 30, 2021 Circulation: 161,900 Digital

November 2, 2020 Circulation: 628,500

14 GOLD-MEDAL-WINNING WHITE WINES FOR CHRISTMAS Patrick Schmitt

Here are 14 fantastic white wines that would be ideal for Christmas, and all of them have gained a Gold medal or higher in The Autumn Tasting, which saw over 300 samples assessed ‘blind’ this month.

Having tasted a range of styles and price bands for The Autumn Tasting, I have picked out the Gold-medalwinning whites from the week-long sampling, as well as two Masters – the ultimate accolade reserved only for outstanding wines.

With the Autumn Tasting by the drinks business instigated to recognise outstanding winemaking from all parts of the globe, the white wines below take in a broad sweep of sources, styles, grape varieties and even a multi-vintage blend.

Uniting all the wines below is one crucial thing: they are brilliant drops, and this judgment has been reached following an entirely independent, blind tasting by professional and experienced tasters – who included Patrick Stefanowicz MW, David Round MW and myself (Patrick Schmitt MW).

The Autumn Tasting was conducted at 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen, Covent Garden, London during the week beginning 5 October.

The white wine selection below has been ordered from cheapest to priciest.

14. GOTAS DE MAR ALBARIÑO A deliciously refreshing drop bursting with ripe citrus and white peach, while a touch of wet stone and salt characterises the long, clean finish.

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Producer: Hammeken Cellars Source: Spain, DO Rias Baixas Grape(s): Albarino Vintage 2019 Residual sugar level: 2.6g/l Abv: 12% Approximate retail price (UK): £10-15 Medal: Gold

Wine and Cheese of The Day: It’s National Cheese Day!

June 4, 2021 Circulation: 12,000 Digital

Hayley Hamilton Cogill

It’s like Christmas in June, today is National Cheese Day! And, nothing goes better with cheese than wine. From creamy Brie to pungent blue, tangy goat to well-aged gouda, there is a perfect wine to pair with all.

A few tips, pair bold with bold and light with light, i.e. a nicely aged, highly crystalized parmesan with a robust Italian red, or a simple farmer’s cheese with a delicate, fruit-forward Pinot Grigio.

And, pair regionally, i.e.

French/ Spanish/Italian wines with French/Spanish/Italian cheese, etc, like Roquefort with Sauternes, Manchego with nicely aged Rioja, Sancerre with Chevre.

The obvious choice for a high-quality Greek Feta would be an Assyrtiko from Santorini, but I prefer an Albarino from Rias Baixas, Spain. Traditionally Feta made from sheep’s milk or from a mixture of sheep and goat’s milk that has been brinded and cured. Inherently is high in acidity, producing either a light white wine or in a fuller style, with oak or lees aging adding to the texture and richness. As the fruit is highly influenced by the nearby Atlantic Ocean, and the granite-filled soils of Rias Baixas, the wine typically has a slight brininess and mineral note, perfect with the Feta. Gotas del Mar Albarino ($22), from the southern Condo de Te sub-zone of Rias Baixas near the Minho River and the Atlantic Ocean, melds this crushed stone minerality with aromatic floral notes of wildflowers leading to notes of lemon zest, apricot, and white peach.

December 10, 2020 Circulation: 10,000

Winephabet Street M is for Monastrell with Nicholas Hammeken Debbie Gioquindo & Lori Budd Winephabet Street is a monthly series where Lori Budd of Draceana Wines and I work our way through the alphabet exploring wine and wine regions one letter at a time. The show is live on the third Monday at 8pm and is free, but you must register to attend. Put it on your calendar, pour yourself a glass of wine and hang out with us.

We were so excited in this episode to have Nicholas Hammeken from Hammeken Cellars in Spain to talk all things Monastrell and a little background on himself and how he got into wine. Nicholas started out in wine in Denmark as a cellar master and landed in the UK working for Seagrams. It was here where he learned about what the consumers need. His wife who is a dentist, got a job in Spain in 1996 and Nicholas got a job in a winery in Jumilia and the rest is history.

Nicholas founded Hammeken Cellars in the early 2000’s and its foundation is Monastrell. They believe that Spanish wines should be crafted with the focus on the fruit with freshness and pure expression of the varietal sometimes with oak sometimes without oak.

Nicholas talks about Monastrell, the history, and how 2 regions in Spain are responsible for all the Monastrell produced in the country. It’s a fascinating discussion as he talks about the types of wine the grape produces and what you have to be careful of from the vineyard to the winery, from the old bush vines to the younger vines.

I don’t want to give away the entire conversation. I do want to say it was awesome and we learned a lot about Monastrell and Spain. I can’t wait to visit there one day. Give the w podcast a listen.

We did get to sample three of Hammeken’s wines. All three were different and wonderful. I love the saying on the bottle of Creencia “Creencia: trust, faith, confidence Belief in powerful balance of the Monastrell varietal Belief in the dry farming, that brings out the best of the grape Belief in this wine, that will linger in your memory forever” 2015 Hammeken Cellars Creencia con Actitud - 100% Monastrell from 45+ year old vines at an altitude of 700 - 900 meters. The wine spent 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels. This was a very difficult vintage and kudos to the wine team. The wine is dark red in color with complex aromas of blackberry, violet, toasted oak and mocha. The palate is smooth and structured. It’s a full-bodied wine that has wonderful minerality and soft velvety tannins with hints of black licorice on the finish. SRP $22.95 2017 Hammeken Cellars Creencia con Juventud - This is a younger style wine. It is dry-farmed and comes from ungrafted vines 35 years old. They maintain the freshness and acidity much more. They use small French Oak barrels new and used oak for 6 months. Beautiful red color, Nice freshness and acidity and wine dances on your palate. Nice deep dark red with aromas of black cherries, fig, and rosemary. The palate is is fresh with nice balanced acidity, firm tannins with a hint of black pepper on the finish. SRP $14.95 2018 Hammeken Cellars Pasas Gran Pasas DO Yecia - This wine is made to revive an old tradition to harvest in late October when the grapes have the highest concentration of flavors and begin to shrivel up. The wine spent 6 months in French oak barrels. The wine is very fresh and well balanced. Dark red in color with aromas of blackberry, ripe black cherry, dark chocolate and wild herbs. The palate has a sweetness to it, and so well balanced with the acidity. Big concentration of red and black fruit on the palate with hints of dark chocolate. SRP $14.95

November 1, 2020

Twitter: Hammeken Cellars El Gringo 2019 @vino_sphere: Vino-Sphere

November 9, 2020 Circulation: 10,000

Spanish Desert Wine Yields Nod To Actor Randy Fuller The wine known as El Gringo was named after an actor who worked as an extra in the many Western movies that were filmed in Spain's Tabernas desert.

The region picked up the nickname the Hollywood of Spain due to the many films shot there. Hammeken Cellars has created an elaborate back story for this gentleman, which is told on their website.

The 100% Tempranillo wine was made from grapevines which have been in place for more than thirty years in the Castilla region. Aging took only four months and the French oak barrels were previously used. Alcohol hits only 14% abv and the wine sells for around $16.

This is a dark wine, with light able to show through only around the edges. Bright red fruit appears on the nose, along with oak spices. The palate bears the taste of ripe, red berries which dance around a lively acidity and firm tannins. A smoky element also comes into play, benefiting a wine which is not extremely complex to begin with, but tasty nonetheless.

November 5, 2020 Circulation: 5,224

Instagram: What I’m Drinking – El Gringo Tempranillo @sarabozich: Sara Bozich

July 19, 2021 Circulation: 1,000 Digital

Gotas de Mar Albariño Adds A Taste Of The Sea To Crawfish Tails Dennis Sodomka

Gotas de Mar Albariño 2020, Spain Cost: $21-23 What: You never know where you are going to find your next bottle of favorite wine.

I was first attracted to the Gotas de Mar Albariño by the striking bottle, tall and thin, made of blue glass with bold white and blue stripes. But I was won over by what is inside the bottle.

This is a classic Albariño, with powerful stone fruit aromas and flavors with some minerality and a touch of the sea. If you have never had an Albariño you owe it to yourself to try one.

–My wife Teri is a huge fan of Chardonnay, but she will never turn down an Albariño. They usually are crisp and clean, with a touch of minerality and loaded with flavor. While they usually are a touch on the lighter side, they have enough weight to handle most any seafood dish.

The Gotas de Mar is a pretty pale yellow in the glass, with interesting aromas of peaches and flowers. The first sip revealed peaches, then citrus and minerals. The light acidity is balanced by the rich fruit flavor. It is a terrific food wine.

A bonus is that the wine comes in at only 12 percent alcohol, so you can sip on it all afternoon and not worry too much about its effects.

The name Gotas de Mar means “sea spray,” and the wine proudly celebrates its coastal origins from the Rías Baixas region in Galicia, on the northwestern coast of Spain. The blue bottle is as vibrant and fun as the wine inside.

Sourced from the Condado de Tea sub-region the wine develops some richness by spending six months on the lees. The acidity and light minerality are a signature of the local granite soils.

–Winery: The Gotas de Mar comes from an unusual sort of winery. Hammeken Cellars doesn’t own any vineyards, choosing the best wines from throughout Spain and then marketing them to the world.

The result is a distinctive collection of wines, modern, fruit forward, fresh and easy to understand. It is a unique model for Spanish wines.

Nicholas Hammeken’s early interest in wine has lead him to dedicate his career and life to his passion. After finishing his studies in Copenhaguen, he collaborated in sales and marketing roles within the wine industry, in France, Germany and the UK. In 1996 Nichols formed his own company, initially called Vinnico Export, as a non-branded wine trader. The company’s first collection was Montgó, launched in 2001. This led to other successful brands such as Piquitos, Allegranza, Creencia, Oráculo, Tosalet, Gotas de Mar, Pasas and Radio Boka, to name a few.

In March 2014, Hammeken Cellars opened a branch overseas to go after the American market. The company has grown in sales and employees and has become one of the most important Spanish wine exporters. It sells more than 1.5 million cases of Spanish wines a year, and is present in more than 30 countries.

The company works with long-term partners to source fruit from more than 18 regions. Wine Director Marcelo Morales brings more than 20 years of winemaking experience to lead a team of six winemakers to directly manage every aspect from the vineyard to maturation.

Hammeken Cellars is based in Alicante on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.

–Goes with: My friend Clint Bryant is one of the best and most adventurous cooks I know. He’s always coming up with something new. And he’s great about sharing.

Someone gave him a huge pile of crawfish, so Clint decided to cook them and share with friends. They were incredible.

I have boiled crawfish before, though they are difficult to find.

But these were about the best I’ve ever tasted. I’m not sure what Clint did to these, but they were juicy and full of flavor.

I made a simple meal of crawfish tails and wild rice and we had a feast. I took the tails off the crawfish and peeled them. I just dunked them in boiling water to heat them up and placed them on the plate with the rice. Then we added a tossed salad.

We ate about 9 p.m. so it was pleasant eating dinner on the deck. The wine was a perfect match to the pungent crawfish.

Leaning back in our chairs listening to the frogs after dinner we felt like we were living the life. Great food, great wine, great friends. Perfect.

Albariño is perfect for seafood, but it is just fine with grilled or fried chicken, light salads or sipping without food.

HAMMEKEN CELLARS