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The Spanish organic winery Bodegas Tempore has presented a wine made from the almost extinct grape variety Derechero de Muniesa. This indigenous red grape used to grow mainly in the 800 metre high municipality of Muniesa, 85 km south of Zaragoza, and was cultivated before the arrival of phylloxera (pre-phylloxera).
Due to the closure of the local co-operative winery, the vine was in danger of dying out. Bodegas Tempore is supporting a project run by the regional rural support organisation, the Centro de Transferencia Agroalimentaria (CTA), and the winegrower Víctor Yus from Muniesa. He still cultivates the almost forgotten variety on 1.5 hectares. The parties involved are working together to preserve the variety. Of the first vintage now presented, 3,500 bottles were filled. They are sold for around 22 euros from the winery.
Paula Yago, owner of Bodegas Tempore, said at the event: "The recovery of grape varieties is a very important factor in the protection of our territorial heritage. In addition, the loss or reduction of the cultivation of these grape varieties leads to an impoverishment of biodiversity, the so-called 'genetic erosion', which causes significant damage to ecosystems."
(al / source: wine-searcher; photo: facebook/bodegastempore)