Toro, the "Bull." The word conjures images of a large steer adorned with horns, huffing as it stares you down. For history buffs, the word evokes images of a medieval Castillian landscape with stately churches, ruined castles and aging vineyards. For wine connoisseurs, those vineyards have a history unto themselves. Wine production in and around the town of Toro, located in the Spanish region of Zamorra, dates back to approximately the first century B.C. Greeks who traveled to this region brought the grapes and vines with them, teaching the indigenous Celtic tribesmen how to cultivate the viones and produce the wines.
Fast forward a couple of centuries, Toro has established itself a prominent wine producing region in Spain. Toro has its own Denominación de Origen (DO). The DO extends over both Zamorra and Valladolid. The primary grape grown in Toro is Tinta de Toro, which is a variant of the Tempranillo grape. The rules of the DO also allow for the production of Garnacha grapes, along with two white grapes: Verdejo and Malvasia.
Fast forward a couple of centuries, Toro has established itself a prominent wine producing region in Spain. Toro has its own Denominación de Origen (DO). The DO extends over both Zamorra and Valladolid. The primary grape grown in Toro is Tinta de Toro, which is a variant of the Tempranillo grape. The rules of the DO also allow for the production of Garnacha grapes, along with two white grapes: Verdejo and Malvasia.
The Prima Toro pours a very dark purple, which lightens to a cherry red along the edges of the wine. The aromatic elements of this wine feature red fruit, such as cherries, blackberries and strawberries, which become more developed as the wine decants. The taste of this wine mirrors the aromas, with cherries being the primary taste. There are supporting flavors, which are found along the edges. These flavors include a little spice. The spice is mostly black pepper, but there is a little hint of vanilla that complements the spice flavors. These flavors are most likely the result of the aging of the wine in oak barrels.
The Prima Toro is a very bold assertive wine, kind of the "bull" of Spanish wine. It is a powerful wine and, consequently, the Prima should be decanted for at least a half hour to at most an hour. The air lets the wine breathe, which helps to bring out the aromas and tastes of the wine, as well as tamp down the tannins.
The Prima Toro is a very bold assertive wine, kind of the "bull" of Spanish wine. It is a powerful wine and, consequently, the Prima should be decanted for at least a half hour to at most an hour. The air lets the wine breathe, which helps to bring out the aromas and tastes of the wine, as well as tamp down the tannins.
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