Behind the Cork™ - Pagos del Galir Godello

Pagos del Galir.jpeg

2018 Paso del Galir Godello ($ 21)

This Pagos del Galier Godello is making a return to Behind the Cork™ for the 2018 vintage. And, if you’ve never heard of, or never tried Godello, you need to!

Godello is not a varietal that is seen as much in the U.S., but this is one to keep your eyes out for. It’s definitely one that you should experience.

Godello nearly became extinct in the 20th Century, with only a few hundred of its vines remaining by the 1970s. Thanks to a project to rescue this grape variety there are now more than 2000 acres of Godello vines in its native home of Galicia, Spain.

This 100% Godello is cold pressed and then spends four months aging on lees in Stainless Steel tanks.

This Pagos del Galier is lemon-yellow in color. On the nose it has nice tropical fruit, pear, melon and some floral hints. On the pallet it is light-bodied with nice apple and pear flavors and just a bit of honey with a smooth, creamy texture and a long finish that displays its wonderful, fresh acidity (3.2 pH).

Just as a point of reference, I’d say that this Godello isn’t really like a Sauvignon Blanc but it’s also not like a Chardonnay - I’d say it’s somewhere in between.

Serve it chilled to approximately 50° F and enjoy!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this wine at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White of Donna White Communications



Ever Wonder What is Considered a "Picnic" Wine?

During a past trip to the local grocery store it was pointed out to me that there is a section of wines with a sign above them referring to them as “Picnic Wines.” So, I was asked ‘What makes these picnic wines?’

Well, technically speaking “Picnic” is not a wine classification or category. But, lots of wines come to mind when I think of a picnic. And, since picnics are usually in warm weather, chilled refreshing wines are the most obvious to choose.

So, here are few suggestions of wines to take on a picnic:

  • Rosé — What could be more refreshing and light than a well-chilled rosé. And if you still think rosé means ‘sweet’ then you’re wrong. In the past that might have been true but today there are lots of great dry rosé wines.

  • Sauvignon Blanc — Here’s another great wine that can be the perfect refresher on a warm day. Lots of great flavors of grapefruit, peach and honeydew melon.

  • Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio — This is another great wine to chill for a picnic. This one has good acidity with flavors of lemon, peach and cantaloupe

  • Sparkling Wines — Always a crowd pleaser, goes with most all foods and perfect for a picnic (no cork screw required!)

  • Vinho Verde — This Portuguese wine is fresh, has great minerality and lively acidity that make it a great picnic wine

  • Riesling — This is a bright and refreshing wine with flavors of green apple and lime

  • Grüner Veltliner — This white wine is best known in Austria. It’s dry and full bodied, with high acidity and flavors of apple and pear

Now you may be asking ‘What about red wines?” Well, of course, they too can be very enjoyable on a picnic. Just ensure that they are kept at ‘cellar’ temperature (60-65 degrees F) and they’re also wonderful to enjoy.

Oh. And don’t forget the corkscrew and glasses. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - CVNE Rioja Monopole

IMG_2736.jpeg

2019 CVNE Rioja Monopole

Monopole is the oldest white wine brand in Spain and CVNE (Compañía Vinícola del Norte de España) has been producing it since 1915.

Monopole is produced from 100% Viura grapes (as known as Macabeo grapes). The grapes are gently pressed which encourages the release of free run juice. It was then fermented in stainless steel vats at controlled temperature to preserve the primary fruit and floral aromas typical of the variety.

The color of this Monopole wine is pale yellow with hints of green at the rim. On the nose there are floral aromas along with those of white fruits such as pear, apple and white currant. On the palate it is silky and pleasing with a nice balance between structure and acidity. The finish is long and mouthwatering.

This CVNE Monopole is a delicious and refreshing wine that’s perfect for warm evenings and light summer foods. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications


Ever Wonder Where Fruit Aromas & Flavors Come From in Wines?

When I first became interested in wines, I remember asking if other fruits were used in the production of wines. After all, so many wines smell and taste like a lot of fruits other than grapes. So, if grapes are the only fruits used in wine making, how do all those other aromas and flavors get into the wine?

Well, it turns out that there’s a lot going on during fermentation, not just the yeast converting the grape’s natural sugar to alcohol. There are also chemical reactions going on that create hundreds of aroma and flavor compounds. Wow!

These “compounds” are identical to the compounds that we already associate with smells and tastes. So, when you smell a fruit aroma in wine you are smelling the same aroma compounds that also naturally occur in those fruits. The same is true with flavors.

Other aromas such as vanilla, tobacco, leather, coffee, caramel and toast come from the oak aging of the wines. Depending on the amount of ‘toasting’ the barrel undergoes affects the range and depth of these aromas.

So next time you have a glass of wine take time to smell it in the glass before you sip. You’ll be amazed to discover the aromas of dark fruits in red wines such as berries and plums while white wines can have aromas of apples, pears, melons and citrus. And then sip the wine and enjoy all the fruit flavors it has to offer. Cheers!

Behind the Cork™ - Viña Real Rosado

IMG_2690.jpeg

2019 Viña Real Rosado ($14)

This Viña Real Rosado is from the Rioja region of Spain.

It’s a blend of Garnacha, Tempranillo and Viura grapes. They were placed into stainless steel vats and, following several hours of skin contact, the vats were drained, without pressing the grapes. This was then fermented for 20-25 days. In this way the primary aromas of the grapes were retained. The wine was then bottled and allowed to rest for a short time before its release to market.

This Viña Real Rosado is rosie-red in color with a touch of salmon. On the nose it has floral notes along with strawberry and hints of ripe stone fruits such as peach and apricot. On the palate this rosé is delicate with a long, fruit driven finish.

This Viña Real is a great rosé to enjoy on one of these beautiful Spring or Summer days. Cheers!

Disclosure of Wine Sample Submission: I received this sample at no cost for review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Sample Provided by Donna White, Donna White Communications