Tag: Albarino

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Fanfare for the Uncommon Varieties: El Dorado in Galicia’s Ribeiro Region (6-Bottle Wine-Pack $190, All Included)

The northwestern Spanish wine production zone of Ribeiro is undergoing a renaissance. One of the vanguard producers of this movement is the Bodega of Coto de Gomariz located in the Avia valley in the autonomous community of Galicia. A unique microclimate that is influenced by both Atlantic and Continental factors allows the region’s native grapes to fully ripen and develop a floral, aromatic complexity while keeping the mouthwatering freshness that Galician wines are known for.

Galicia is one of the few oceanic climate production zones with a wealth of native grapes used in their wine. These varieties are so well-suited to their unique environment you rarely see them used elsewhere. Indeed, you’re likely never going to see a supermarket sign pointing you to the huge selection of Sousón or Ferrol-based wines. Because of Galicia’s landscape of mountains and sea, the cuisine is broad and diverse. As such, the region’s wines pair well with a myriad of dishes, from fish to fowl to filet.

Coto de Gomariz was created in 1978 by the Carreiro family. They began the area’s resurgence by recovering a vineyard that Cistercian monks had established in the 10th century. Today, they own close to 70 acres of vineyards. Coto de Gomariz winemaker Xosé Lois Sebio is one of the most admired and exciting names in Ribeiro. He employs both organic and biodynamic viticulture practices in the vineyards and all wines are fermented with indigenous yeasts.

Shisteous, granitic, and sandy soils, steep slopes, tiny yields, a unique microclimate, and the farming of the native red and white grapes of the region has allowed Coto de Gomariz to produce some of the most distinctive and expressive wines in Ribeiro.

Included in the Fanfare for the Uncommon Varieties 6-Bottle Package are one each of the following wines:

Price includes a 10% discount plus tax and delivery. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the package.

 

Sebio Wish, (Galicia 2016) RED, Regular Price: $43

Made only during warm vintages, “Wish” is a tribute to the pioneering post-punk band The Cure, who accompanied Xosé Lois Sebio through his youth. It is also named after the aspiration to make a single wine with fruit from very old strains growing on a plot at the limit of Ribeiro on the steep, terraced Penelas slope oriented to the northwest. This plot is always last to be picked, yet in warm years it produces a wine of fresh, floral, and fruity intensity reminiscent of Côte Rôtie. A blend of 50% Ferrol, 35% Caiño Longo, 10% Sousón, and 5% Bastardo fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for 14 months in French Oak barrels for a wine with gorgeous aromatics of lilac, high-toned fruit, and distinct minerality. Only 94 cases produced.

 

VX Cuvee Caco (Ribeiro 2015) RED, Regular Price: $41

VX or “experimental wine” was the name written on the first barrels aged at Coto de Gomariz, and Caco is the nick-name of Ricardo Carreiro´s father. It is a blend of 50% Sousón, 30% Caiño Longo and Caiño da Terra, 15% Carabuñeira, and 5% Mencía from the “A Ferreira” estate vineyard re-planted with local varietals in 1994. Fermented with native yeasts and aged for 20 months in new French 500 liter oak barrels. Fragrant spiced dark berries and licorice on the nose precedes a sip that offers depth and focus with a hint of vanilla and framed by supple tannins. Only 208 cases produced.

 

Abadía de Coto de Gomariz (Ribeiro 2017) RED, Regular Price: $28

Abadía de Gomariz is a blend of 50% Sousón, 25% Brancellao, 20% Ferrol, and 5% Mencía from the village of Gomariz where soils are granitic with schist and clay. Though fermented in stainless steel, the wine is aged for one year in 500-liter used oak barrels, mostly of French origin, to tame some of the hairy tannins that Sousón can exhibit. A sip is juicy little forest berries with a long and winding cherry pit finish. On the nose, the berry fruit is sweeter with hints of licorice and cream. On the label is the coat of arms of the Abbey Gomariz — the oldest civil building for winemaking in the Iberian Peninsula. Only 1,600 cases produced.

 

“The Flower and the Bee” (Ribeiro 2018) RED, Regular Price: $20

This miniscule production everyday red comes from younger Gomariz vineyards planted with the native variety Sousón in mostly granitic soils. Fermented with native yeasts and aged for 4 months in barrel, this wine is the entry level of Gomariz, yet expresses the same identity of the Avia Valley terroirs as its more ambitious siblings. It’s a versatile wine full of ripe dark berry aromas with a pinch of herbs and spice and a bright finish. The lively label represents both the origin of vine fertilization, as well as the estate’s respect for nature. Only 1,250 cases produced.

 

Finca O Figueiral (Ribeiro 2017) WHITE, Regular Price: $37

70% Treixadura, 10% Godello, 10% Lado, 5% Loureira, and 5% Albariño from the single estate vineyard “O Figueiral” in Gomariz grafted with local grape varieties in 1978. The terroir is mostly clay with a subsoil of schist. Free-run juice begins fermentation in stainless steel vats and finishes in new 500 liter French Oak barrels. It is then aged over fine-lees for 10 months with periodic battonage to build body while maintaining balance. Melon, peach, and tangerine aromas with floral overtones precede a stony and precise, lush yet lively wine. Only 275 cases produced.

 

“X” (Ribeiro 2019) WHITE, Regular Price: $30

“X” is a blend of 95% Albariño and 5% Treixadura named after the schist soils (xisto in Gallego) where the grapes are grown. This single vineyard wine comes from fruit grown in the “As Penelas” plot. Free-run juice is fermented with native yeasts and then aged in stainless steel vats. Aromas of yellow fruit and honey with a touch of lemon pith precede a fleshy mid-palate, offering vibrant citrus and orchard fruit flavors braced by juicy acidity and a finish of nervy minerality. This is the kind of white wine that will please just about everyone. Only 400 cases produced.

 

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Summer-Aid: $250 “Green Spain” — Taste the Terroir of Northwest Spain with 12 Bottles (6 Red, 6 White, All Included and Delivered)

Our latest Wine Aid box hails from the northwest corner of the Iberian peninsula and is packed with lively, graceful, cool-climate wines, defined as much by the nearby Atlantic coast as the vineyard soils and slopes. These are wines with the same sort of aromatic headiness and elegant structure that draw wine lovers to the most famous winemaking regions in the world.

Included in the Green Spain Wine-Aid Package are three bottles of each:

The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a 10% discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package.

Fento

Hard-working vigneron Eulogio Pomares is a rising star in the far northwest corner of Spain where he receives accolades from critics and consumers alike. Although perhaps best known for his work with the region’s Albariño variety as the seventh generation winemaker at Zárate, his family’s estate, Eulogio can’t be contained and is branching out into some of “Green Spain’s” other subregions.

Fento is a partnership of Eulogio with his wife Rebeca that works with both rare and common indigenous grapes found within Galicia. Organic viticulture is difficult in the region due to humidity and mildew pressure, but Eulogio is applying the methods to bring the Fento vineyards into full organic cultivation, relying on native cover crops and natural products to do most of the work.

“Xabre” (Ribeira Sacra 2017 RED) Regular Price: $29

The cuvée Xabre [SHAH-bray] is named after the weathered, sandy granite soils of Ribeira Sacra. It’s a blend of predominately Mencía with the remainder made up of Sousón, Mouratón and Garnacha, all from vines ranging between 15 and 80 years old. The fruit comes from the Quiroga-Bibei sub-zone, from terraced vineyards between 900 to 2,100 feet in elevation. Extraordinarily perfumed, Xabre radiates notes of citrus peel, green tea, violets, fresh berries and warm terra cotta. With just a slight chill it’s an ideal wine to keep you company while tending the grill.

 

“Bico da Ran” (Rías Baixas 2018 WHITE) Regular Price: $18

Bico da Ran is 100% Albariño made from fruit grown in the sub-zone of Val do Salnés. Considered the birthplace of the Albariño grape this is the original and oldest sub-region in Rías Baixas. Some of the best vineyards in Salnés produce the Bico da Ran fruit. The vines are 15 to 25 years old. Grapes are harvested in early morning to preserve aroma and freshness. Vinification and aging is done in stainless steel. All of this results in a wine that is aromatic with citrus and a delicate herbality. On the palate it is refreshing and crisp, with layers of crunchy orchard fruit.

 

Viñedos y Bodegas Pardevalles 

Third generation vigneron Rafael Alonso is one of the pioneer winemakers of southern León. Viñedos y Bodegas Pardevalles, his family’s vineyards and 300 year old cellars are situated in northwestern Spain at around 2,400 feet in elevation where the uncommon and indigenous grape varieties Prieto Picudo (red) and Albarín Blanco (white) thrive in the extreme microclimate around the River Esla. Rocky soil, swinging diurnal temperatures and less than 20 inches of annual rainfall combine to create wines of superb ripeness, acidity and balance with highly developed aromatics.

Recently granted official Denominación de Orígen status in 2007, Tierra de León is nevertheless an ancient region that has been cultivated for wine production for centuries. The Alonso family holds around 95 acres there in the high plains, where Quaternary Period soils are covered in rounded stones that absorb the heat of the sun during the day. Similar to the galets roulés of Châteauneuf-du-Pape but at a much higher elevation, these stones help the vines bear the low nighttime temperatures and ensure a long, even ripening.

“Gamonal” (Tierra de León 2015 RED) Regular Price: $23

One of Spain’s most fascinating indigenous varieties, Prieto Picudo is highly aromatic with fleshy bright fruit and good acidity. Aged for one year in 225 liter neutral oak barrels, you might compare the Pardevalles Gamonal to a Cru Beaujolais from a vintage that achieved full ripeness (and then some). While it’s a joyous wine full of bursting berries up front it shows a more serious side with a concentration and a pure, lengthy finish. With the slightest chill it will pair with myriad grilled foods or a simple plate of cheese and olives.

 

“Albarín” (Tierra de León 2019 WHITE) Regular Price: $19

Pardevalles’ seven acres of Albarín Blanco (about 10% of all vineyards planted to the variety) were developed in 2004 for the purpose of recovering this indigenous grape which was on the edge of extinction. But the wine is far more than a rescue mission for an obscure variety. The Albarín Blanco is an exuberant wine brimming with aromatics of fragrant herbs, mouthfuls of white fruits, and a finish that’s fresh and clean. It’s a wine that delights both the casual drinker and the most discerning gourmand. It’s versatile enough for sipping on the patio or pairing with seafood and poultry dishes.

We are committed to providing you with your wine needs in the safest way possible. We do encourage you to take advantage of our back door pick-up or free delivery. We can easily process the payment of your purchase over the phone and load you up without you needing to get out of the car. Or we can deliver it to your doorstep for free (within a reasonable distance of our shop) and leave it there for you to bring in at your convenience.

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$165 “The Paco de Lucía” Wine-Aid Package – 6 Bottles of Wine from Iberia’s Atlantic Coast (All Included and Delivered)

No need for a quote. We will let Paco de Lucía’s music speak for him. 

Introducing The Paco de Lucía, a $165 Wine-Aid package that includes six bottles of wine (four bottles red, two bottles white). From the inland mountains of Portugal to the coastal vineyards of northwestern Spain, this selection illustrates the broad range of styles from the Iberian peninsula’s Atlantic Coast. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a deep discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

One of history’s greatest guitarists, the role of the flamenco guitar evolved considerably through the playing of Paco de Lucía. He extended the former accompaniment-only tradition of flamenco guitar to include deeply personal melodic statements and modern instrumentation. José Luis Acosta, president of the Spanish Artists and Editors Society, stated that “Paco was and will be a universal artist, who took the guitar and flamenco sentiment to the heart of the whole world.”

The wines featured in The Paco de Lucía Wine-Aid package were produced with the kind of virtuosity and deep passion that Paco de Lucía put into his music. 

Included in The Paco de Lucía Wine-Aid box are two bottles of each:

1) Sonho Lusitano Vinhos “Pedra e Alma” (Alentejano 2013) Regular Price $35

“Pedra Y Alma” (Stone and Soul) is Sonho Lusitano Vinhos reserve wine produced only in the best years and from the oldest vines on the property. It is a blend of Trincadeira, Arragonez, Alicante Bouschet, and Grand Noir that is aged for two years in new French oak barriques. The 2013 vintage saw a late harvest that began in searing heat and ended in rain. It was a highly successful year for Trincadeira and the estate picked the old vine fruit just before the weather broke at the end of September. It is a tight-knit but generous and well-balanced red that will keep on giving.

 

2) Dominio del Urogallo “Pésico” (2013) Regular Price $28

Nicolás Marcos clearly likes a challenge. He left his family’s winery in Toro, did a stint with the distinguished Alain Graillot in Crozes-Hermitage, and then settled into the northwestern region of Asturias, specifically Cangas del Narcea. Pésico is a blend of equal parts Carrasquín, Mencía, Verdejo Tinto, and Albarín Tinto, all grape varieties indigenous to the region. Nico vinifies the juice from about 18 acres spread over parcels from four different crus. Each parcel is fermented separately with indigenous yeast before blending and partial aging in French oak barrels (including second year barrels from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti). This is truly a wine that speaks of the land, ripe yet fresh, bursting with blue fruits and layers of texture before a lengthy finish.

 

3) Coto de Gomariz “X” (Ribeiro 2017) Regular Price $30

One of the vanguard producers in the northwestern Spanish wine production zone of Ribeiro is the Bodega of Coto de Gomariz. Located in the Avia valley near the Atlantic coast, they enjoy a unique microclimate created by the Avia river. Shisteous, granitic and sandy soils, steep slopes, tiny yields, a unique microclimate, and the farming of the native red and white grapes of the region has allowed Coto de Gomariz to produce some of the most distinctive and expressive wines in Ribeiro. “X” is a single vineyard blend of Albariño and Treixadura named after the schist soils (xisto in Gallego) where the grapes are grown. It is wonderfully fresh, juicy, and rich. 

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$195 “The Sergio Leone” Wine-Aid Package – 12 Bottles of Spanish Wine (8 Red + 4 White, All Included and Delivered)

“I’ve always believed that true cinema is cinema of the imagination.” — Sergio Leone

Introducing The Sergio Leone, a $195 Wine-Aid package that includes 12 Bottles of Spanish Wine showcasing the quality and value of Spanish wines from the slopes of Montserrat near the Mediterranean Sea to the Val do Salnés on the Atlantic coast. The price includes tax and delivery, as well as a 20% discount. We will also honor a 10% discount on any bottles you might wish to add to the Wine-Aid package. 

While Sergio Leone is an Italian director most of his films are inextricably tied to the landscape of Spain. The Tabernas Desert in the southeastern province of Almería is probably the most famous setting, but he filmed all over the country. Indeed, the first film of the “Man With No Name Trilogy” that made both Leone and Clint Eastwood famous, and is considered the birth of the spaghetti western genre, was principally filmed in the municipality of Hoyo De Manzanares, a short drive from the vineyards of our first featured winemaker Uva de Vida.

It’s easy to imagine that those many years ago the cast and crew might have been drinking very similar wines as are featured in this Wine Aid package. And it is this idea of geography, and its connection to the history of humanity, that can make the simple act of drinking a good bottle of wine something more profound. 

Included in The Sergio Leone Wine-Aid box are four bottles of each:

1) Uva de Vida “Latitud 40” (Vino de la Tierra de Castilla 2015)  Regular Price $23

The wife-and-husband team of Carmen López and Luis Ruiz have harnessed the soul of the land to produce wines of purity, brilliance and energy. Biodiversity of plant and animal life is promoted in their 33 acres of vines planted at 1,600 feet of altitude in the clay-based soils near the tiny village of Santa Olalla just up the road from the city of Toledo. Uva de Vida employs minimal intervention techniques from start to finish. 100% Graciano and nearly opaque deep red, a glass of “Latitud 40” radiates aromas of cherry fruit leather, dark chocolate, herbs, and salty, sun-baked earth. These heady scents merge seamlessly into a mid-weight sip of blackcurrant fruit with a long and juicy finish. 

 

2) Ca N’Estruc Negre (Catalunya 2016) Regular Price $14

Francisco Martí is co-owner of perhaps the finest wine shop in Spain, Vila Viniteca, located in the El Born district of old Barcelona. Yet he has spent much of his life in the vineyards of the Ca n’Estruc estate that lies on the slopes of Montserrat at over 500 feet in elevation. The Vineyards are ideally orientated to optimize sunshine and hold some vines that are close to 80 years old. Ca N’Estruc Negre is a blend of Garnatxa, Samsó (Carinyena), and Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo) grown in alluvial soils. Ripe raspberries and cherries underneath a hint of rosemary make this one of the more interesting everyday value wines that you’ll find. 

 

3) Fento “Bico da Ran” (Rías Baixas 2018) Regular Price $17

Bico da Ran is 100% Albariño made from fruit grown in the sub-zone of Val do Salnés. Considered the birthplace of the Albariño grape this is the original and oldest sub-region in Rías Baixas. With an altitude below 1,000 feet and vineyards that reach the Atlantic Ocean, this is the coolest winemaking zone in the region. Some of the best vineyards in Salnés produce the Bico da Ran fruit. The vines are 15 to 25 years old. Grapes are harvested in early morning to preserve aroma and freshness. Vinification and aging is done in stainless steel. All of this results in a wine that is aromatic with citrus and a delicate herbality. On the palate it is refreshing and crisp, with layers of crunchy orchard fruit.

 

Still from A Fistful of Dollars (1964) compared to a recent photograph in Hoyo De Manzanares