Galician Wine beyond Albarino

After bingeing on albarino a couple of weeks ago, now we turn our attention to the other grapes/regions of Galicia. While they have not yet reached the same level of commercial success, they are no less delicious and worthy of your attention.

Godello, a white grape often likened to chardonnay, has been featured in many of Stephen's events, Treixadura is less readily available in the USA, but I have always enjoyed this one that we're having.

The red varieties are also relatively obscure except for Mencia, which produces medium bodied reds and is popular in neighboring Bierzo. So I'm eager to present the espadeiro/caino blend and the brancellao.

We will be dining at El Pote Espanol, a Spanish restaurant that has been a mainstay in Midtown East, and where the group has dined on a number of occasions.

Here is their menu:
Menu for El Pote Espanol

** The cost of this event is $34 and is for the cost of the wines and corkage.

You will also have to pay the cost of your food (plus 33% for tax and tip). AND order at least two courses (i.e. a main dish and either appetizer or dessert) for your dinner. Our discounted corkage fee is based on EVERYONE ordering two courses.

Please read and understand the group's cancellation policy. If you take spot, then cancel, and no one else takes the spot, you will not receive a refund or credit. No refunds or credits will be given for no-shows or late cancellations (unless someone else takes your spot). All cancellations are subject to a $10 service fee.

Please use public transportation - NO DRINKING AND DRIVING!

Whites

2023 Coto de Gomariz 'La Flor y la Abeja'
Grape - treixadura; Appellation - DO Ribeiro

In Ribeiro (Galicia's oldest wine appellation), treixadura reigns supreme. It is a characterful yet aromatically subtle variety, typically displaying notes of honey, a nicely rounded mouthfeel and mild acidity.

The region is committed to indigenous varieties (23 of them), and they are expelling "foreign" grapes over the coming years (yes, including tempranillo!!)

"It opens with floral aromas, notes of orange blossom and soft herbs. Has notable freshness and concentration, gaining expression and energy on the finish. Clean and bright." (Vinous 91pts)

2022 Bodegas Godeval 'Cepas Viejas'
Grape - godello; Appellation - DO Valdeorras

Godello is quickly gaining a following especially as some of Spain's star winemakers, including Telmo Rodriguez and Rafael Palacios, have produced wines that scored highly with critics.

The Cepas Vellas (old vines) is a selection from the oldest estate vines which average 50 years old at an altitude of 500 meters. Pure slate soils. Aging in stainless steel for 5 months on the lees.

"An intense and complex nose of ripe fruits, lime, fennel and mint. The apple, melon and peach fruit flavors carry on giving power to the wine which is deftly balance by brisk herbal notes and hints of mineral from the slate soils."

Reds

2021 Bodegas Zarate 'Fontecon Tinto'
Grapes- 70% espadeiro, 30% caino tinto; Appellation - DO Rias Baixas

Bodegas Zarate is quite well known for their albarinos (we had two at our event), but this is a rare red blend from Rias Baixas (which is 98% white wine country). Only 1000 bottles produced.

"A fresh-faced Atlantic red, showing off the lavender, floral, balsamic and red berry aromas these wines are known for. High acid, racy, and earthy all at once. A terrific alternative to Pinot Noir or Gamay as far as food pairings are concerned, as this red complements most fish or poultry in any preparation beautifully." (Acker Wines)

2022 Pazo de la Cuesta Brancellao
Grape- brancellao; Appellation - DO Ribeira Sacra

The next two wines come from Pazo de la Cuesta in Ribeira Sacra, the only appellation in Galicia that produces more reds than whites. The pazo ("manor house") dates back to the 1400s, and includes the oldest family run winery in Galicia. Check out the NY Times Magazine article on the restoration of the pazo.

"Clean and bright with a surprising colour. Very intense nose with complex red fruit, spices, and the characteristic coffee and cocoa notes of the terroir. This wine has a pleasant texture and is bold and complex in the mouth, well structured and intense on the palate and extremely fresh, which makes it appealing at any time of year."

Winner - Gold Medal (Mondial des Vins Extremes 2024), 2430 bottles produced

2022 Pazo de la Cuesta Batanero
Grapes- 85% mencia, 15% merencao & souson; Appellation - DO Ribeira Sacra

Deep nose of red and stone fruits (cherry, blackcurrant), compotes, fermentation notes, and sweet notes of wood and toasted aromas. Very direct attack, where freshness and the passage of time prevail. Harvested from wines with an average age of 40yrs. Aged for 9 months in French oak. 2046 bottles produced. 93 pts Club Enologique