Producers on the panel included Lucia Carballeira Lois of Adega Condes de Albarei, R. Carlos Falcon of Bodegas y Vinedos Don Olegario and Emilio Rodrigues Canas, of Bodegas Terras Gauda. What made the tutored tasting interesting was the winemaker’s obvious passion for their region’s grape varietal and Paul Grieco’s lively narration. While most wines were 100% Albarino, the Terras Gauda O Rosal 2008 was made with only 70% Albarion, 20% Laureio, and 10% Caino Blanco. It was said that the tiny bit of Cano Blanco gave it its richness.
During lunch I had the opportunity to chat with one woman, Alicia Carro Marino, who was the Export Manager for the Paco & Lola brand (it is a co-op). This wine is recognizable by its attractive blue and white polka-dot bottle and clever, friendly name. Alicia told me a lot about the region and a bit about the story of how this brand got started - very intriguing listening and to my way of thinking represents a new paradigm. In earlier years, winemakers made the wine first then figured out how to market it. Now it all starts with the marketing.
Below are some of the producers present. If you see one in your local wine store or supermarket, try it out. When the afternoon temperature reaches a hundred, you can pour yourself a glass and pretend you are in the cool, green region of Rias Baixas.
As Laxas
Condes de Albarei
Adegas d’Altamira
Don Olegario
Maior de Mendoza
Marqués de Vizhoja
Martín Códax
Martínez Serantes
Adegas Rosalía de Castro (Paco & Lola)
Palacio de Fefiñanes
Pazo de Señoráns
Pazo San Mauro
Santiago Ruiz
Terras Gauda
Valmiñor
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