Cuatro Pasos, a winery from Bierzo, Spain

Sheila becomes for the occasion in our guide for Cuatro Pasos  domains, the wine of the four bear tracks on the label. For those who do not know, El Bierzo is a land where the bear can live, and hence its presence in the design of the brand.

The winery, part of the group Martin Códax, was born in 2003, and settles in an old palatial home of the XVIII century, which was already used much earlier for winemaking. Thus it becomes in one of the oldest wineries and more attractive within El Bierzo.  It is located in the "Camino de Santiago", in the center of the village of Cacabelos, wine capital of the region. The winery offers tours through its spacious rooms made of stone and wood ceilings, in which the old concrete tanks have been transformed in rooms barrels for aging their wines.

Its vineyards extend for four different areas of El Bierzo: Otero, Hornija , Corullón and Valtuille; always they have been looking for slate soils and old vines, some over 80 years old and located on steep slopes, such asCorullón, where contemplated magnificent views of the Valley.

Nowdays the winery produces four different wines, all 100 %Menciagrape: If we talk about red wine we have Cuatro Pasos, authentic hallmark of the brand, Martín Sarmiento, Pizarras de Otero. While recently also produces a rosé wine called  Cuatro Pasos Rosado.

Cuatro Pasos offers the verve of a young Mencia, therefore mineral wine with a deep color and red fruit aromas. We can appreciate its toasted wood aroma, and a very balanced acidity at the same time. Meats, oily fish are ideal for pairing with this wine . Martín Sarmiento brings greater intensity in color, intense morello cherry red, and varietal aromas, as well as forest fruit, smoky and toasted oak aging, and minerals. The palate is broad, a well-balanced wine ideal to drink accompanied by a quiet and good food. Pizarras de Otero is a young Mencia that have not been barrel aged; it brings us violet tones and fruity nose (plum , cherry ... ) while floral . It is fresh with a crispy  finish, and it could be perfectly tasted as an aperitive paired with “tapas”.

Cuatro Pasos Rosadois a surprise for the senses. Visually it has a bright raspberry color, and it offers a deep fruity aromas that immerse us in strawberry and raspberry, although slight floral notes of roses at the same time. The taste is fruity and easy to drink. Ideal for warm periods and for a multitude of dishes ranging from pasta, rice, salads , white meat ...

If you travel arround  El Bierzo is a winery worth visiting, and once there you can try their wines that will not leave you indifferent. Both Sheila and other members of staff will take care that your visit will mark a before and after in the Bierzo wine,  whereas we can see our knowledge enhanced.

Pictures from the trip, February 2014

Bodegas Cuatro Pasos

C/  Santa María, 43

25540, Cacabelos,-León- Spain

Tf. 00 34 987 54 80 8