RAISE A GLASS
IT’S not often I say “wow, that’s amazing”, but this week I said it twice. The word was reserved for two glasses of wine. The white grape variety was albariño and the wine region was Rías Baixas.
The region nestles in the autonomous region of Galicia in the north-west corner of Spain. The wine (and food) is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean and by jiminy it is all ever-so tasty.
Exports of albariño to the UK have more than doubled over the past five years and
I’m told there are a couple of reasons for this.
People like you and me are happier to trade up to higher quality wines; and secondly, we’re becoming more knowledgeable and want to discover more styles.
In my book, that’s exciting. But hey, back to my “wow” moments. I loved these two albariño wines. My first is La Val Albariño Sobre Lias 2011 (RRP £22, ndjohn.co.uk, and allaboutwine.co.uk) The grapes were grown in the Condado do Tea subregion, which is the most inland of the five sub-regions of Rías Baixas. It is warmer and drier and so the wines have more peachy, tropical fruit notes.
This wine is simply fabulous. It has rested on its lees – the sediment left after fermentation – for three years. The wine is stirred regularly adding complexity, body and flavour. It is a deep lemon colour and has stunning aromas of grilled pineapple, dried honey, citrus and summertime flowers.
My second “wow” sip was Paco & Lola Albariño 2018 (RRP £15, ministryofdrinks.co.uk, winebuyers. com) from the Val do Salnés sub-region. It is the birthplace of albariño and hugs the coastline. It is the coolest and wettest area and so wines tend to be more tangy and zesty.
Paco & Lola shouts tangy and zesty. Grapefruit and lime are centre stage with a sneaky ripeness of mango and lychee.
I also sensed a gentle breeze of flowers. Delicious.
Look out for an albariño white wine from Rías Baixas. You won’t regret it.
ALSO IN MY GLASS…. Friday September 20 is International Grenache Day.
Grenache can be found all over the world but principally in sun-soaked regions. I’ll never forget a wine expert telling me that if grenache was a holidaymaker, it would head out at 5am to bag a sunbed.
Grenache wines have ripe notes of strawberry and plum but can be on the high side when it comes to alcohol.
If you enjoy chateauneuf-dupape you’ll be enjoying a wine with grenache at its heart. The reason my thoughts headed to this “celebration” is that last night I had a glass (or two) of the Co-op’s Old Vine Garnacha (£5.35).
It is a pocket-friendly style from the Campo de Borja region, which is mainly planted with garnacha (the Spanish name for this grape).
It has a deliciously fruity nose of ripe strawberries and even a hint of mint. In the mouth there’s a bite of pepper and alcohol (14%). The fruit is there, but it takes a back seat. Old Vine Garnacha is great for an autumnal barbecue (which is why I was sipping it).