Chronicles of Cork - Wine of the Month
By: Kevin Spicknell
Clubhouse Manager
Certified Sommelier
Mississaugua Golf and Country Club
This month we will continue to look at some wines from some lesser-known regions or from a varietal that you may not be as familiar with. The wine we will be looking at this month is available in the Vintages section of the LCBO and is a go-to choice when you are looking for something that is crisp and refreshing and you are feeling a little adventurous. This month’s wine is a white wine from a country that is known for producing incredible red wine. We will be tasting the Paco & Lola Albariño from the Rias Baixas region in Spain.
The Paco & Lola Albariño is from the Rias Baixas DO region in the Galicia region on the Iberian Peninsula and shares a border the Northern portion of Portugal. This region produces almost exclusively white wine and is made from a majority of the Albariño grape. The region of Galicia is also called the green region of Spain for its lush and vibrant ecosystem as well; it receives the largest amount of rainfall in the country. The vineyards of Rias Baixas are planted on mineral rich soils while benefitting from the cooling effect of the Atlantic Ocean. These two factors are key components in producing the vibrant, elegant and refreshing wines of the region.
Albariño is a green skinned grape that produces dry wines that are lighter in style, but these wines punch above their weight with the level of aromatics and refinement. The same grape is grown in the Northern region of Portugal, where it is called Alvarinho.
The Paco & Lola Albariño is pale straw in colour and is brilliant in the glass in the glass. As soon as you put your nose in the glass, you are met with a combination of citrus and tree fruit that is intense and pleasant. Lime and grapefruit are the dominant citrus notes while green apple are the complimenting tree fruit notes. Minerality is also a large player on the nose and palate of this wine with granite and stone influences.
On the palate, the wine hits you with racing acidity along the sides of your tongue while following up with citrus flavours that are similar to the nose of the wine. This wine exhibits similar characteristics to the highest quality wines from the region. As well as citrus notes, there are some underlying white floral notes that add depth to the wine.
The term terroir is very important in the wine industry and comes from the French word meaning “sense of place”. Terroir encompasses everything from soil, sunlight, amount of rainfall, and many other factors that lead to a unique ecosystem that produces a distinct wine. The soil of this region is sandy loam and granite soils that contribute to the heavy mineral notes on the nose and palate.
Once you step away from terroir and the grapes are harvested and come into the winery, it is now in the hands of the winemaker. One of the choices that winemakers have when producing wines is whether to age the wines in oak barrels. There are many excellent examples of white wines that are aged in oak whether it is from France or California. This wine is a beautiful example of a wine that does not experience any time in oak and is fermented 100% in stainless steel vats which helps to retain its trademark acidity.
With the location of the vineyards and their close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the Paco & Lola pairs perfectly with almost any seafood. This Albariño is so versatile, it is one of my favourite wines when looking for a wine and food pairing. It has the crispness to pair with shellfish as well as the richness and body to handle something as classic as a lemon herb whole roasted chicken. The notes of green apple and mineral also pair well with salads with goat cheese.
The Paco & Lola Rias Baixas DO (denomination of origin) is a wine that over-delivers for the price at $22.95. The Paco & Lola is a newer winery that represents the next generation of Spanish wine makers in the region. It is a cooperative representing over 400 members, which is the largest wine cooperative in the area. The winery has over 200 hectares under vine and has been around since 2005.
If you enjoy wines like Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, try the Paco & Lola for something different that will take you out of your comfort zone.
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