This document provides information on three Spanish wines: 1) Pago de Tharsys Millesime Brut Reserva 2009 Cava, which shows finesse with balanced acidity and flavors of peach and biscuit. 2) Pago de Tharsys Vendimia Nocturna 2011 Albariño and Godello blend, harvested at night, with flavors of jasmine and white rose. 3) Pago de Tharsys Nuestro Bobal 2006, which tames the bullish Bobal grape into a smooth, balanced wine with complex dried fruits.

1. 2
012
the art
of
fine w ne
Presented by
Michael Messum MA, ACIM, MCE

2. Welcome to
2
012
The Art of Fine Wine
Spain is a land of beguiling contrasts. Often described as
17 nations within a nation, each ‘Autonomous Community’
is fiercely proud of its own individuality. I’ve never met a
Valencian who prefers Gazpacho to Paella for example. Even
if they did, they would never admit it! This enthralling diversity
is without doubt one of the major reasons why I still find myself
living in Spain four years after I had intended to return home
(although my Spanish fiancée might also have something to
say on the matter!).
But while such variety is to be celebrated it can also be a
source of great confusion. Only in Spain could a single grape
(the Bobal) have 18 different names. By marrying some of
Spain’s finest wines with some of its finest contemporary
artwork, Brand España 2012 aims to create a single,
understandable vision of the diverse culture that makes this
nation so enticing.
Like the artist, the wine maker draws his inspiration from
nature to create the perfect expression of his surroundings. At
Brand España the canvas becomes the vine; the brushstroke,
the skill of the oenologist. As with the paintings all of the wines
are hugely individual, unmistakably branded by the hand
that made them. Little wonder that in Spain they are revered
as ‘Vinos de Autor’ (Author Wines).
United by their differences and supported beautifully by the
paintings, the wines of Brand España 2012 serve as a window
into the lives and societies of the families that produce them.
I invite you to take a look through this window and discover
first-hand the artistry of their creation.
Michael Messum
Organised and promoted by
www.messumexport.com
josep moscardó street party info@messumexport.com
+34 675 367 683

3. The Invention and Reinvention
of Cava
Don Vicente García, owner and founder
of Pago de Tharsys is a central figure
in the history of Cava. In the 1980’s he
singlehandedly fought off conglomerate
competition to ensure the production of
certified Cava outside Cataluña thereby
guaranteeing the economic future of
many a small bodega throughout Spain.
Today Pago de Tharsys continues
to reinvent Cava with a refreshing
emphasis on quality over quantity;
a philosophy that has brought
the bodega both domestic and
international acclaim.
Pago de Tharsys – Millesime
Brut Reserva, 2009
D.O. Cava. Macabeo,
Chardonnay | Parellada
The Millesime shows great
finesse with its fine, natural
mousse and balanced,
well delineated acidity. It
is surprisingly open on the
nose with hints of peach
and biscuit developing
elegantly. The pallet is
bold and rich with the
Parellada, the traditional
Cava grape, providing
ample grip. Another
remarkable effort and
more proof that, when
made correctly, Cava can
challenge the very best
Champagnes on quality,
and blows them away on
price.
josep moscardó café scene

4. The Night Harvest –
Hard work and Sausages.
It is extremely rare to find Albariño and
Godello grapes outside their native lands
of Galicia but then again, Pago de
Tharsys rarely do things by the book.
One of the first bodegas to start
harvesting their grapes at night,
the annual ‘Vendimia Nocturna’
has become something of a
social event.
Every year, on a cold night in
September, an army of grape-
pickers, drafted from uncles,
aunts and long-lost cousins,
descend willingly on the vines
collecting the year’s precious
harvest. It is a gruelling task but
a constant supply of grilled,
meaty sustenance keeps the
spirits up.
Pago de Tharsys,
Vendimia Nocturna, 2011
D.O. Utiel Requena.
Albariño 80% | Godello 20%
A wonderfully original white
showing a glossy yellow hue
with light golden tones. It is
delicate on the nose with hints
of jasmine and white rose. In
the mouth it exhibits balanced
sharpness and a smooth
finish. The innovative blend of
Alabriño and Godello grapes
make this a truly unique white
wine.
miguel macaya still life

5. Bobal – Don’t Judge a Grape
by its Skin.
In so many ways the Bobal grape reflects
the character of the people that grow it.
In an area that has known conquest,
‘re-conquest’ and bitter civil war, the
history of Requena is not without suffering.
As a result there is a stubborn brashness
among the region’s residents
which can be easily mistaken for
unpleasantness. In reality nothing
could be further from the truth.
Basic human values are ever-
present and local hospitality is
almost embarrassingly generous.
Much the same can be said
of the Bobal. A thick skinned,
insensitive exterior belies
the elegance to be found
underneath. On the surface
it is a brute but given the right
treatment, it can surprise and
delight.
Pago De Tharsys –
Nuestro Bobal, 2006
D.O. Utiel Requena. Bobal
85% | Cabernet Franc 15%
With great skill (and a touch
of Cabernet Franc) the bullish
Bobal has finally been tamed.
Deep ruby red with complex
dried fruits on the nose, this is a
smooth, balanced offering that
lingers on the palate. The second
sip is pure pleasure and it only
gets better from there.
alejandro quincoces pink light in new york

6. Bodega Vinessens –
Modern Tradition
Among all the doom and gloom
surrounding Spain’s unemployment woes
there are beacons of hope. Bodega
Vinessens is one of those. So ably run by
the youthful couple Andrés and Marta
(with moral support from one year old
Dani!) the young bodega is built on
those unpopular, old-fashioned
principles of hard work and
sacrifice.
Highly qualified and
hugely talented the young
winemakers are starting to
make ripples on the Spanish
fine wine scene. Under difficult
circumstances their energetic
appetite for endeavour is
reflected in the quality of their
produce.
Vinessens, Sein, 2009
D.O. Alicante.
Monastrell 60% | Syrah 40%
Benefiting from the cooler
temperatures at over 600m
above sea level this delicious
Monastrell/Syrah blend is
a heady combination of
tobacco, spice and caramel.
The oak has thankfully been
reined-in but there is still plenty
of grip with touches of cassis
and raisin. It can be enjoyed
with red meat or strong
cheese, though at 15% it’s not
for the faint hearted!
magí puig suspended life

7. In a sector awash with Michelin stars and nutty
professors it is a refreshing treat to be sat at a table,
eating and drinking some of the most astonishing
produce, focused on the people around you and not
the plate in front of you. This seems to happen a lot in
Spain. Good ingredients are a matter of course. It’s
probably written somewhere in the constitution!
However, as the crisis continues to knock the wind
out of domestic demand, producers are depending
increasingly on foreign markets for their livelihood.
Many have never before had to shout about their
products so find it difficult to gain a voice abroad.
I set up Messum Export to help change this. Working
closely with producers and understanding the
philosophy behind their brands we are able to adapt
their products to the demands of the new consumer.
Messum Export also works alongside importers
and private clients developing unique marketing
experiences, (such as Brand España 2012) to gain
valuable exposure for all the products that we
represent.
Based in Spain but with offices in the UK we are also
uniquely positioned to offer product sourcing services
for anyone wishing to uncover the next hidden gem
from this enchanting nation.
I look forward to hearing from you soon,
Michael Messum
Organised and promoted by
www.messumexport.com
info@messumexport.com
+34 675 367 683
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