Can anyone provide primary source references describing the multi-vintage blending in Spain between the 1860s and 1920s? They can be in any language. In my non-exhaustive search of texts describing winemaking during this period I have yet to come across such a description. This period sees the rise in Medoc-based red winemaking which included single-vintage oak aging for 3-4 years. The texts seem to describe either the Medoc-based methods or the very traditional method which produced wines meant to be consumed within one year. A look through historic advertisements show a switch from single-vintage bottles to 2, 3, and 4 year old wine in bottle and barrel around 1890. Lopez de Heredia offered bottles and barrels of Rioja fino corriente, Rioja fino Bueno, and Rioja viejo fino superior.
If anyone is fluent in Spanish and would like to help me with some online research, please contact me.
You can read about some sources I have looked at and view some historic ads in the following post:
Query About Primary Sources Describing Multi-Vintage Blends in Rioja and the Rest of Spain
Thanks!
Aaron