Spain: Taste of Galicia
This is a wonderful and unmissable tasting discovering the delights of North-West Spain with newly-formed Taste of Galicia. From the indigenous grape varieties of Galicia, undiscovered by most, there are some fantastic local wines made from grape varieties such as Albarino, Godello, Mencia and Treixadura from regions such as Rias Baixas, Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei.
The wines to be discovered are all from small boutique wineries producing limited volumes of high quality and passionate wines from a region that is receiving high praise from the wine trade. Albarino is well-known in the UK thanks to the large cooperatives producing decent wines of complexity and acidity - but this tasting pushes the envelope further by tasting a lees-matured style and a Godello blended example in addition. Mencia is an exciting red grape variety "when properly made, it offers fascinating wines across a contrasting spectrum of styles; on the one end are fruity and forward wines with supple tannins and succulent fruit. On the other end are more concentrated, powerful styles with an exotic earthiness, smooth tannins and an enviable reflection of the minerally-rich terroir" (Berry Brothers & Rudd). The tasting will be led by Taste of Galicia owner Olga Babkina and West London Wine School's Jimmy Smith.
Wines on Tasting:
From Ribeira: Triexadura/Albarino blend
From Ribeira Sacra: Albarino/Godello blend (see below), traditional Mencia style, powerful/complex oaked Mencia
From Rias Baixas: traditional Albarino, lees-aged Albarino
From Valdeorras: traditional Godello
From Monterrei: Red Blend (Mencia, Sousan)
Wines will be served with traditional Galician canapes and nibbles
Wine to look forward to: Abadia da Cova, Albarino, Ribeira Sacra, Galicia, 2010
"Possibly one of the best Galician whites I have had the pleasure of tasting. 85% Albarino provides the mouthwatering acidity whilst the unusual 15% Godello provides the body and creamy texture. White peach and sweet floral acacia notes on the nose - it smells powerful. But the juicy acidity creates an elegant palate, that lingers with a plethora of fruit and mineral length. Very good indeed." 17.5/20 (Jimmy Smith)
Click here to view our blog on all the wines above
A fantastic tasting of a range of indigenous grape varieties that really are the indentity of Galician wine - don't miss out!
Places Available: 2
Course Date/Time: Thu 16th Feb 2012 at 7pm
Duration: 2 hours
Venue: The Wine Cellars, Fulham
