“Are you making low alcohol wines because you like them, or is it because it’s what consumers are looking for these days? “

Dirk Niepoort looked at me in the eye for a second before replying, “when it comes to these wines, I don’t give a s@#!t about what the consumer thinks.”

Dirk joined his family company in 1987. From Niepoort’s inception to that point, it was focused as a Port shipper. Dirk spearheaded the company’s transformation and foray into table wines. Today, Niepoort produces a wide range of Port wines and table wines in seemingly every region in Portugal.

Niepoort Vinhos

When Dirk joined Niepoort in 1987, his goal was to make great table wines. His first project was a wine called ‘Robustus’, which was released in 1990 followed by the ‘Redoma’ which was first released a year later. I’ll never forget my first taste of the former, which is anything but robust. Recent vintages have so much ripeness and fruit without being jammy or high in alcohol. The last vintage that I tasted clocked in at 12.2% ABV.

A wine geek at heart, Dirk is one of the most respected winemakers in all of Portugal. I first met him last year at the Douro Boys Auction 2019. After sharing several meals with him, his passion for wine became even more evident. As a Burgundy nut, Dirk crafts wines that he wants to drink.

Niepoort produces wines all over Portugal and collaborates with other winemakers on other projects labeled as Niepoort Projectos. Niepoort reds in places like the Douro, the Dão, and Bairrada show that the region can do more than just concentration and power. Niepoort’s examples are focused on finesse and elegance. They are dare I say, Burgundian.

When my friend first told me about these low alcohol wines (especially from the Douro), I was skeptical. After tasting the wines, I’m a believer. Better yet, these wines are found around the world at fair prices. Wine geeks need to seek these out.

• Fio, ‘Fio’ Riesling 2015 – Mosel, Germany

This is a project collaboration between two young guys and Dirk in the Mosel. It’s a traditional style Riesling that is aged in large casks for two years. Gorgeous nose of baked apple, slate, apricot, and white pepper. There’s plenty of richness and fruit here with perfectly integrated oak. The mineral finish caps off a real winner. Score: 91+/100

• Niepoort, Nat Cool Branco 2019 – Vinho Verde

This is made in old school way of Vinho Verde, bottled with a touch of residual sugar so the wine would re-ferment and have some soft bubbles. It’s a blend of many grapes like Azal, Arinto, Avesso, Trajadura, and Loureiro. This wine has some sediment and cloudiness. Notes of the sea, along with beer yeast, lemon, and grass. Surprisingly fuller in body for a Vinho Verde than I would expect. Spritzy bubbles and lively, fun wine. Buyer beware, some people might think this smells too sulfurous and too much like eggs on the first whiff. You need context before getting served this wine. After a few days in the fridge, it shed its funkiness and what was left is a delicious, minerally white.  Score: 89/100

• Niepoort, Redoma Tinto 2018 – Douro

The Niepoort, Redoma Tinto is one of the staples in Dirk’s portfolio. It’s a field blend including grapes like Tinta Amarela, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, and Tinta Roriz. It’s aged in old oak for 22 months. Even though it’s young there are notes of leather along with sweet red cherry, blueberry, and some mineral tones. Excellent fruit concentration for a wine that is only 12.5% abv. It’s almost like a dense Pinot Noir. The palate is sensual with many layers and fine-grained tannins. Brilliant stuff. Score: 93+/100 

• Niepoort, Concisco 2014 – Dão

This is a field blend made from vines up to 100 years in age. Most of the varieties in the field are Baga and Jaen (Mencia). It’s aged in cask for 20 months. Like a red Burgundy with notes of red forest fruits, forest floor, leather, and pepper. Very complex and rich smelling for a poor vintage and a low alcoholic wine. The fruit is concentrated enough on the front end while the acidity stretches out the finish. Tannins are still a little chewy, which would allow this wine to age well. Very good for a tough vintage. Score: 91+/100

• Niepoort, Bastardo 2018 – Douro

This grape is known as Trousseau in France. This is aged for 20 months in French oak. Very light in color for a red. Notes of fresh cut strawberry, raspberry, flint, white flower, and a touch of muskiness. Delicate and lighter on the palate with plenty of red fruit notes, vibrant acidity, and surprisingly chewy tannins. It reminds me of Nerello Mascalese from Etna. This is fresh and fun but I bet it could really start to soar after time in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

• Niepoort, Poerinho Baga 2014 – Bairrada

Made from vines of Baga that are over 100 years old. Aged for 20 months in large vats. At only 11% ABV, this really smells like a Burgundy. Savory with notes of leather, sour cherry, stems, and earth. The nose gives way to plenty of Old World notes. Medium-bodied, this doesn’t have the aggressive tannins that Baga can have. High acidity and a juicy finish. This is a wonderful effort for a tough vintage. Score: 91/100

*I talk about this bottle at 2:59 in the video below.

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

You might also enjoy:

Niepoort provided tasting samples. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Niepoort: Low Alcohol Portuguese Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

Portuguese wine is the gift that keeps on giving.

This small country packs a punch when it comes to wine. It’s not a secret that I adore Portuguese wine and jump at the opportunity to taste it whenever possible. The world needs what Portugal has to offer. Delicious wines made from unique grapes at more than fair price points.

This year, thanks to COVID, it looks like I will miss my annual trip to Portugal. Thankfully, many producers have softened the blow by sending samples to taste. One of those organizations that came to my rescue is the Family Wine Growers Portugal.

Family Wine Growers Portugal

The Family Wine Growers Portugal is an agency that helps smaller producers distribute and export their wine all over the world. They reached out to me and asked me to taste several of the producers they represent. Based on what I tasted, they’ve chosen a fine set of producers for their portfolio.

“We make an assessment based on quality, family heritage, and ability to respond to export processes,” says Dora Caseiro, a co-owner of Family Wine Growers Portugal. “If a producer scores 90% in all of our parameters, we accept to manage their exports.”

All of the wines I tasted for this article show export potential. All of the wines are available in Portugal for less than 17 Euros on the shelf, many of them hovering around or under the 10 Euros range. Around the world, these wines should be able to be found at wallet-friendly prices. When it comes to price-quality, all of these wines deliver. The more Portuguese wine available, the merrier.

Wine Recommendations:

Portuguese White Wine

• Valle do Nídeo, Códega do Larinho / Rabigato 2017

The Valle do Nídeo, Códega do Larinho / Rabigato has notes of quince, white apricot, white peach, and a touch of yogurt. Full body and chewy, this tastes like it was barrel fermented. There’s a nice streak of acidity that keeps the palate fresh. Longer finish. This is a rich, full-bodied white in the true Douro style. Score: 90/100

• Valle do Nídeo, Alvarinho / Viosinho 2017

The Valle do Nídeo, Alvarinho / Viosinho is a delicious, bigger style of Alvarinho with some Viosinho blended in for acidity. This has notes of lime, lemon, white flower, and cool yogurt notes. It’s a rich wine with depth and layers. The wine has length and a slight green streak to it along with a flinty, slatey finish. This will be fantastic with shellfish all the way up to creamy chicken dishes. Score: 90+/100

• S. Caetano, Alvarinho 2019

The S. Caetano, Alvarinho is a beautiful crispy white wine and a great value to boot (comes in at under 10 Euros in Porugal). Notes of lime, lemon, and seawater. This has the zesty acidity that is common with the grape on a bigger-bodied frame. This is the perfect shellfish wine. Tangy finish. Score: 90/100

• Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Encruzado Reserva 2017

The Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Encruzado Reserva is from the Dão and partially aged in oak. It’s a gorgeous wine. There are notes of quince, green pear, and white peach along with subtle yogurt and mineral notes. It’s an elegant, medium-bodied white that sits nicely on the palate. Bracing acidity for a barrel-aged wine and a long, salty, and mineral-driven finish. Score: 91/100

• Rama & Selas, Branco Bruto 2017

The Rama & Selas, Branco Bruto is a sparkling wine from Arinto, Chardonnay, and Baga. This has spent 9 months in the bottle. Notes of mineral, white flower, white pear, lemon, and a hint of biscuit. This has a fine bead of bubbles. Fruity and easy to drink with just a hint of complexity. This has a hint of volatile acidity, which adds to the complexity. Crisp and clean finish. Score: 89/100

• Quinta do Convento, Reserva Branco 2018

The Quinta do Convento, Reserva Branco is a barrel-aged blend of Semillon and Arinto. It is shy at first as the wood sticks out at the beginning. As the wine breathes and gains air there are flavors of white flower, white pear, white peach, and white apricot. Oily mouthfeel with well-integrated wood. There is a line of bright acidity that stretches the palate. This is good now but it really built to age. Score: 90+/100

Portuguese Red Wine

• Quinta do Daniel, Douro Reserva 2015

The Quinta do Daniel, Douro Reserva is a blend of Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and other varieties aged in new oak for 12 months. It’s hard to believe that this is five years old, it smells like really fresh red wine. There are notes of black cherry pie, mulberry, and a little white pepper. It’s a fruit dominant red. Full-bodied and plush it has mouth-coating tannins. The fruit carries through all the way and the alcohol isn’t felt. Easy drinking, full-bodied red now but it has the potential to improve in the cellar. Score: 89/100

• S. Caetano, Vinhão 2018

The S. Caetano, Vinhão is a unique Vinho Verde Tinto made from Vinhão aka Sousão. Dark and inky with notes of blackberry, black raspberry, black cherry, and a hint of black licorice. On the first sniff, you might think that it’s a big, brooding red but there is plenty of acidity here. The acid isn’t searing like many examples of the grape can be but there’s enough of it. Soft tannins and a refreshing, fresh red to sip on without fuss. Score: 87/100

• Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Signature 2015

The Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Signature is a brilliant red wine. Made from Touriga Nacional aged in French oak. This isn’t a big bomb, there’s plenty of fruit here but it doesn’t overwhelm you with ripeness. Flavors of blackberry, black raspberry, black tea, menthol, and gravel. There’s enough fruit upfront with subtle complexities on the backend. The tannins build slowly but are never too dry. High acidity that should ensure this has a long life ahead. They call Dão the Burgundy of Portugal and one taste of this will tell you why. Score: 92/100

• Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Premium Touriga Nacional 2016

The Chão de São Francisco, ‘Chão da Quinta’ Premium Touriga Nacional is another delicious Touriga Nacional aged in French oak. The nose draws you in right away with the notes of blackberry, red raspberry, crushed flowers, and pine. It’s a dark, inky red wine that is generous on the palate right from the first sip. The tannins are chewy and sweet, which feel great in the mouth. This is a beauty to drink now. Score: 91/100 

• Rama & Selas, Tinto Reserva 2015

The Rama & Selas, Tinto Reserva is a blend of Touriga Nacional, Baga, Syrah, and Merlot. It’s a wine that has resisted aging with notes of blackberry, black cherry, and a touch of tobacco & pencil lead. It’s a big, fruity wine that has the oak under control. There’s a mouthful of fruit up front with some grippy tannins on the back end. It’s a delicious red but doesn’t have the refinement to be great but it doesn’t have to be. At this price, this is a real winner. Score: 89/100

• Quinta do Convento, Tinto 2018

The Quinta do Convento, Tinto is a blend of Caledoc and Touriga Nacional. This is beautiful and very Portuguese in flavor. Notes of blackberry, black raspberry, bramble, stems, and pepper notes. This has plenty of ripe fruit but it isn’t a big wine, it’s more medium-bodied. Chewy tannins and vibrant acidity. Delicious and accessible. Score: 89/100

• Quinta do Convento, Tinto Reserva 2007

Quinta do Convento, Tinto Reserva is a blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional aged in French oak. There is beautiful development here with notes of leather, tobacco, dried raspberry, dried cherry, and pepper. The palate still has substantial tannins and an earthy finish. There’s plenty of plush, developed fruit with high acidity. It acts almost Pinot Noir-esque. If you want the taste of aged wine that doesn’t break the bank, this is worth checking out. Score: 91/100

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Thanks to the Family Wine Growers Portugal and the wineries for arranging samples to be sent. The opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Portuguese Wine |The More, The Merrier appeared first on Wine Travel.

I liked Nicola Thornton within five seconds of chatting with her.

The wine industry can be tough. Selling wine in this climate is challenging with so many restaurants closed. Writing about wine can be even tougher thanks to shrinking budgets and limited paying outlets. It’s easy to find people that are beaten down. Meeting optimistic people feels like a breath of fresh air.

That’s exactly the type of person that Nicola is. She left the UK and fell in love with sunny Spain. After years of working in cooperatives and private wineries, she founded the Spanish Palate in 2016. Her team looks after several small producers and helps them market and export to over 40 countries worldwide.

From our first call to tasting the wines, I was impressed with her energy and enthusiasm. Her lineup of wines named “Spanish Palate Creations” is inspiring. They consist of two lines. The Botas de Barro (muddy boots) lineup are wines that see a little oak aging, while the Mi Tractor Azul (my blue tractor) wines are fresh and fruity. Nicola and her team designed the labels and market them as inexpensive wines that overdeliver in their price points.

These wines are produced by cooperatives in different regions of Spain that work with old vines. “The idea of the cooperative is perfect (to me), you get all of the small farmers pulling their resources together to defend a dignified way to live,” Nicola says. “It gives these guys power in numbers.”

I think all of the wines in the Spanish Palate Creations line are good to very good. These are the types of wines that will be fine house pours in restaurants around the world. Purchasing a bottle also helps bring communities together and supports the little guy.

Wine Recommendations:

Spanish Palate Creations

• Botas de Barro, Old Vine Garnacha Almansa 2017

The Botas de Barro, Old Vine Garnacha Almansa is my favorite wine in the Spanish Palate creations. This has a wonderful, complex nose with notes of strawberry, black raspberry, parched earth, meat, and pepper. There’s plenty of fruit here with a hint of complexity. There is meatiness and earthiness on the palate and the tannins are supple and ripe. It doesn’t have great length but it is very fun and pleasurable to drink. Score: 88+/100

• Botas de Barro, Toro 2018

The Botas de Barro, Toro is Tempranillo aged for 5 months in oak. This is a nice, slimmer Toro. There’s complexity here for such a young wine. Notes of cherry, raspberry, pepper, and earth. There’s a pleasant streak of tangy acidity on the mid-palate. Tannins are chewy but not overly drying. Very good, entry-level Toro. Score: 87/100

• Mi Tractor Azul, Garnacha Tintorera 2017

Mi Tractor Azul, Garnacha Tintorera is Alicante Bouchet unoaked. Very dark wine. There are notes of raspberry, violets, cherry, pepper, and stems. It’s full-bodied and generous on the palate with some bright acidity. The wine is fruity and big but there’s a slight green streak to it, which I like a lot. A delicious bistro red with some tannins. Score: 87/100

• Mi Tractor Azul, Toro 2018

The Mi Tractor Azul, Toro is made from 100% Tempranillo that doesn’t see oak. Shows decent complexity for an unoaked wine. Notes of black cherry, cassis, and pepper. Fruity and easy-going with low level of tannins. This is a young wine but the spike of flavor on the mid-palate is surprising. It’s not built to go the distance but another year in the bottle would do it wonders. Score: 87/100

• La Baldosa. Macabeo 2019

The La Baldosa, Macabeo is from the Manchuela DO. This is 100% Macabeo. It’s a nice crisp white wine with notes of pineapple, white flower, and flint. This grape is one of the components of Cava and you can definitely pick it up here. It’s crisp and fresh, not complex but very well done. This is a summer sipper for those who want something different than a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay. Score: 87/100

Estate Grown Spanish Wines

The Spanish Palate also markets a number of small producers from all over Spain. All of the wines below are available in Spain for under 20 Euros, with the majority of them around 10. All of these offer fantastic value for money and are worth seeking out.

• Hacienda Albae, Viognier 2019

The Hacienda Albae, Viognier stays on the lees in steel for four months. Notes of dandelion, sweet yellow peach, honey, and clay. The floral and yellow stone fruit notes are what really stand out. This is a solid, full-bodied Viognier. Don’t expect an ultra-crisp white wine but do expect something with some significant body. It is very similar to the wines of the Southern Rhône. For a wine that retails around 8 Euros in Spain, this is a steal. Score: 89/100

• Hacienda Albae, Chardonnay Barrica 2017

This Chardonnay Barrica from Hacienda Albae is fermented and aged in oak for six months. It’s deeper in color thanks to 24 months on the skins. There are unmistakeable Chardonnay notes here such as melon, sweet peach, and a touch of toast. The wood is laid down remarkably well, it’s negligible on the nose and pleasant on the mouth. Sweet and long yellow fruit finish. There’s a lot to like here. Score: 89/100

• Loess, ‘Inspiration’ Ribera del Duero 2018

Many mid-range Spanish reds tend to be too oaky for my palate. The Loess, ‘Inspiration’ Ribera del Duero is not one of those wines. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in oak for nine months. This is made from estate-grown fruit. The oak isn’t overbearing here and this is a pleasure to drink. Notes of dark cherry, mocha, and tobacco come together on a full-bodied frame. There’s intense, ripe fruit here but the wine is burdened by oak, which I love. Chewy tannins. This gets an uptick in score thanks to its affordability (11-15 Euros in Spain). Score: 90+/100

• Loess, ‘Collection’ Ribera del Duero 2015

For those that like bigger, oakier reds, the Loess ‘Collection’ Ribera del Duero is for you. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in oak for 24-30 months. This is a big, dark red with notes of cherry, baking spice, tobacco, and bacon fat. It enters the mouth with a ton of dark fruit. It’s a structured red. There is a spicy finish along with plenty of acidity. The woody tannins are a bit strong but with a big piece of meat, they shouldn’t be a problem. Score: 90/100

• Coral Duero, Los Lastros 2017

The Coral Duero, Los Lastros is simply fun to drink. It’s a single-vineyard Toro aged for 8 months in oak. Notes of bright cherry, earth, and tobacco. The interplay between fruit and oak here is fantastic. It’s more of a medium-bodied Toro, there’s enough fruit here to overpower the oak. Ripe tannins and a luxurious finish. Score: 90+/100

• Coral Duero, Rompesedas 2017

The Coral Duero, Rompesedas is higher up on this producer’s portfolio. It is a single-vineyard Toro aged for 18 months in oak. The specs suggested that this could be too oaky but that’s not the truth. There are oaky aromas but they are far from distracting. Notes of black cherry, crushed rose petal, and earth also emerge from the glass. This is rich and looks to be more age-worthy of the four wines. There’s a lot of structure from the barrel but this should fade with time. This might be the best wine out of the four but to drink, I prefer the Los Lastros. Score: 90/100

• Casa do Sol, ’10 Meses Sobre Lías’ Albariño 2016

The Casa do Sol, ’10 Meses Sobre Lías’ Albariño is brilliant. It is barrel-fermented and aged on the lees for 10 months. It’s a beauty and shows bottle development. Notes of caramel, dried peach, dried pineapple, yogurt, lemon, and flint. It’s very complex on the nose and in the mouth. Full-bodied with a gritty texture and a long finish. Spine-tingling acidity that is typical of the grape. It’s in a great place now so drink it up. Score: 91+/100

• Casa do Sol, ‘Braiña de Casa do Sol’ Albariño 2018

The ‘Braiña de Casa do Sol’ Albariño is the entry-level wine from this estate is beautiful. It’s an electric, high-acid white. There are notes of kefir lime, lemon, and seawater. It has a sandy texture on the palate with a long finish guided by citrusy acidity. The perfect wine for shellfish. Score: 89/100

• Válgame Dios, Toro Crianza 2017

The Válgame Dios, Toro Crianza is the only wine in this small producer’s lineup. This is 100% Tempranillo aged in French oak for 12 months. It’s a full-bodied, rich Toro. There are notes of black cherry, pepper, earth, and mocha from the wood. The wine has generous fruit and acidity with a subtle graphite note. The tannins are tough but not excessively drying. There’s a rustic charm to this wine but in a good way. Score: 89/100 

• El Regajal, Selección Especial 2018

El Regajal has created a fun red wine with their Selección Especial. It is a blend of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, and Petit Verdot aged in oak for 12 months. This is a big step up from their Las Retamas and doesn’t show the oaky flavors. Notes of red cherry, cassis, thyme, and pepper. Very complex and elegant nose. Full of fruit and flavors on the palate. Chewy tannins. The grape combination would be hard to guess if this was tasted blind but that doesn’t matter. It’s a delicious red that should develop nicely over the next few years in the bottle. Score: 90+/100

• Bigardo, Vino Tinto Experimental 2018

The Bigardo, Vino Tinto Experimental is a minimal intervention red made from Toro de Tinto (Tempranillo) aged in oak for about six months. Lots of soil, earth, cardamon, black cherry, and fall leaves flavors emerge from the glass. In the glass, it doesn’t act like a normal red from Toro. It’s medium-bodied and more earthy than fruity with bracing acidity and a low level of tannins. Fans of natural reds are going to find a lot to like here. Score: 90/100

• Leyenda del Paramo, ‘El Aprendiz’ Albarín Blanco 2018

The Leyenda del Paramo, ‘El Aprendiz’ is made from rare grape Albarín Blanco. It has bright notes of pineapple, almond, white peach, and clay. It is a fresh white but far from boring. The flavors come on strong and hit you with a blast of white and citrus fruits. The slight, bitter finish on the backend adds to the complexity. High, It’s got the aromas and punch of a Southern Rhône white with Riesling-like, citrusy acidity. Score: 89/100

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Thanks to the Spanish Palate for providing tasting samples. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Spanish Palate: Bringing Communities Together appeared first on Wine Travel.

Unique wines at great price points produced/served by wonderful people. Couple that with a diverse range of growing conditions and there are real reasons to champion Portuguese wine.

Portuguese Wine Distributor: Wine Concept

During the Fall of 2019, I did a whirlwind two-week trip through Portugal. The trip started with the Douro Boys Auction followed by stints in the Dão, Bairrada, Lisbon, and Alentejo. During my visit with Esporão, head winemaker David Baverstock told me he had his own project in Alentejo called Howard’s Folly. I wasn’t able to visit the estate but David directed me to his distributor Wine Concept in Lisbon.

Upon arriving in Lisbon from Alentejo, I headed straight to Wine Concept. During the course of an afternoon, the opened bottles from Howard’s Folly and other producers in their portfolio. After a few hours of tasting, I packed up and left their office.

Once out the door, I got a call. Wine Concept owner, Nuno Neves de Sousa invited me out to lunch with the team. Another few hours went by filled with laughter, food, and wine. When I finally left it occurred to me. This is everything that I adore about Portugal.

When the world went into lockdown in March 2020, I found myself stuck in Croatia. Wine Concept was kind enough to send me a case of wines to sample. In the pack, 11 of the 12 wines were good to very good (one bottle was a faulty bottle, which happens). The selection was a great representation os Portuguese wine and all are available in Portugal for 15 Euros or less. Did I mention that I love Portuguese wine?

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

White Portuguese Wine

• Casa de Saima, Bairrada Vinhas Velhas 2018 – Bairrada

The Casa de Saima, Bairrada Vinhas Velhas (old vines) 2018 is a blend of Maria Gomes, Bical, and Cercial. It’s a wine that doesn’t see oak but remains on the lees for a year. It has an oily mouthfeel with notes of pine, green guava, lemon, mineral, and gas. Rich concentration with a slightly flinty finish. For a wine that can be found under 10 Euros in Portugal, this is a steal. Score: 90+/100

 

• Dona Paterna, Alvarinho 2019 – Monção e Melgaço

The Dona Paterna, Alvarinho 2019 is a zesty and fresh white. There are notes of lemon, curd, cumin, and minerals. The nose is quite subtle but the wine shoots through your palate like a laser. Focused fruit with a steely finish. Pair this with oysters and watch the magic happen, very well done at this price. Score: 90/100

 

• Pico Wines, Frei Gigante 2018 – Pico

I tasted the Pico Wines, Frei Gigante 2018 on several occasions. The first time was was the GoVolcanic Tasting 2019 in Budapest. This bottle didn’t show as well as previous encounters. Chalk it up to a bad bottle. Check out my first review of the wine HERE.

 

• Quinta Varzea da Pedra, Fernão Pires 2017 – Óbidos

The biggest surprise in this selection is the Quinta Varzea da Pedra, Fernão Pires 2017. This grape is also known as Maria Gomes. Beautiful notes of pine, gas, white pear, lemon, and seawater. It’s full of white fruit on the palate, yet finishes with a mineral edge. This is everything I like about Portuguese white wines, there’s enough fruit but the sharp, salty edge is what makes the wine interesting. Score: 91/100

 

• Quinta Vale de Fornos, Arinto Chardonnay Gewürstraminer Reserva 2018 – Tejo

The Quinta Vale de Fornos, Arinto Chardonnay Gewürstraminer Reserva 2018 is aged in French oak. Unusual blend that was aged in oak. It has the aromatic Gewürtztraminer in the blend but it’s still neutral on the nose. Notes of white pear, white flower, chalk, and citrus emerge from the glass. The palate is surprisingly bright and full. It’s not an uber complex white wine but there is body, flavor, and plenty of tangy acidity making it more than a simple poolside sipper. Score: 89/100

• Amareleza, ‘José Piteiro’ Vinho de Talha Branco 2015 – Alentejo 

This is a real gem. The Amareleza, ‘José Piteiro’ Vinho de Talha Branco 2015 consists of Diagalves and Roupeiro fermented in talha (amphora). Brown in color, almost like a tawny port. This is a highly oxidized style of wine with notes of caramel, fall leaves, nuts, apricot, and toffee. Not a lot of fruit here, it’s more nutty and savory. Fine texture and a small amount of tannins. This is yummy, complex stuff but buyer beware, it’s not a fruity white wine. Almost like a dry tawny port. Score: 92/100

 

Red Portuguese Wine

• Amareleza, ‘José Piteiro’ Vinho de Talha Tinto 2017 – Alentejo 

The Amareleza, ‘José Piteiro’ Vinho de Talha Tinto 2017 is made from the grape Moreto and fermented in talha (amphora). Moreto is not a well-known grape but it is praised by winemakers in Alentejo because of its ability to retain acidity. There are notes of stem, black cherry, red plum, and a touch of white pepper. It smells like a cool weather red but has the lusciousness and mouthfeel of a warm climate red. The finish is exceptionally fruity with ripe, sweet tannins. Very delicious for a red wine made in amphora. Score: 89/100

 

• Casa de Saima, Pinot Noir 2017 – Bairrada

The Casa de Saima, Pinot Noir 2017 is not a typical Pinot Noir but a nice take on the grape. Made by a minimal intervention producer. Notes of cherry, rubber, sea salt, and clay. It’s silky on the palate with bright acidity. This is an interesting take on Pinot Noir, it’s definitely in the category of a “natural wine” but it’s well done. Plenty of juicy red berry fruits with low amount of tannin. Handled lightly and it’s clean for a natural wine, which is a big plus. Score: 90/100

 

• Quinta Vale de Fornos, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2016 – Tejo

The Quinta Vale de Fornos, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2016 is made from old vines and aged in French oak for 12 months. It has a unique nose for Cabernet Sauvignon. There are notes of thyme, tar, black currant, and earth. There’s plenty of dark fruit upfront on the palate. It’s full-bodied and round on the palate but finishes with grippy tannins. Very good Cab considering the price point, where else can you get solid Cabernet Sauvignon for around 11 Euros? Score: 89/100

• Casa Américo, Jaen 2015 – Dão

The Casa Américo, Jaen 2015 is a deep red from the Dão. This grape is also known as Mencia in Spain. Notes of pine, blackberry, black cherry, and crushed rocks. It’s full on the palate without being too broad or fat. There is plenty of acidity here and a thyme-like vintage. It’s a wonderful interpretation of the Dão. Score: 90+/100

• Quinta do Pinto, Petit Verdot & Alfrocheiro 2015 – Lisboa

The Quinta do Pinto Petit Verdot & Alfrocheiro 2015 has a French red grape in the blend but this is a Portuguese red through and through. This is dark and inky in color. There are notes of red plum, cherry, leather, and soy sauce. It’s full in body but not massive. There’s a savory note to the wine but the fruit is still the highlight here. Firm tannins. It’s not typical Petit Verdot, which isn’t a bad thing. Score: 88/100

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Thanks to Wine Concept for providing tasting samples. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Why I Love Portuguese Wine appeared first on Wine Travel.

Hello! Welcome to As Drunk by Exotic Wine Travel, a weekly column where we feature interesting wines that we encourage you to seek out. The reviews featured in this series may be written by either one or the both of us. The featured wines can be from obscure or well-known wine regions. We hope that these wine recommendations will keep you gastronomically curious and your palate invigorated.

Quinta de Santiago, Alvarinho

The wines of Vinho Verde are some of Portugal’s most recognizable. In the past, the wines were thin, acidic, and a little frizzy. They were meant to be served in cafes, served to those who cared little what was in the glass. Those days of cheap, insipid Vinho Verde are in the past.

This region in the northern reaches of Portugal is home to young producers who want to push the quality bar higher. This includes Joana Santiago, a former lawyer who returned to her family estate to produce great white wine. It was a choice that happened naturally, “At the beginning, I thought I could do both, law and wine. But I became so involved with Quinta de Santiago that I never wanted to spend one minute in law,” Joana says.

Joana’s story speaks to me, having been a Chiropractor in my previous life before jumping into wine. Once the wine bug bites you, it doesn’t let go. Joana looks like she’s made the right choice as her wines are full of energy and charm. Here’s a look at the current releases from Quinta de Santiago.

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

• Quinta de Santiago, Alvarinho 2018

The Quinta de Santiago, Alvarinho has a bright and expressive nose with lemon, white peach, seawater, and mineral notes. There’s a lively green acidity that runs through this wine. It’s light, crunchy, and breezy. It is a perfect companion to shellfish and baked chicken.

Bottles like this are what make Portugal such an exciting wine country. It’s an affordable wine from a unique grape that over-delivers. This is something to pick up by the case for upcoming summer barbeques Score: 90/100

• Quinta de Santiago, Alvarinho Reserva 2018

Part of the Quinta de Santiago, Alvarinho Reserva was aged in wood for six months. The wood comes out here and adds nice support to the lemon, white peach, dandelion, and mineral notes. It’s fuller in body than the standard bottling with more concentration. I bet this ages well as all the components come together. It’s delicious now but could be a whopper with time in the bottle. Score: 91/100

• Santiago na Ânfora do Rocim 2019

Joana makes the Santiago na Ânfora do Rocim with help from Pedro Ribeiro from Herdade do Rocim in Alentejo. It’s 100% Alvarinho. There are notes of lime, green apple, yogurt, and a green mint streak. This is a crisp white but the weight gives a lot more. Full-bodied and bone dry. Even though it was made in amphora, it has a slight steely character and a long, botanical finish. I like the 2018 a little more, but with time in the bottle, this could improve immensely. Score: 91+/100

If you reside in Portugal, you can purchase Quinta de Santiago wines and get them shipped to your door at Adegga Marketplace.

You might also enjoy:

Alentejo: Plush Red Portuguese Wine and More.

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If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Quinta de Santiago provided tasting samples. Please note that the opinions expressed are our own and have not been paid for in any way. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Quinta de Santiago Alvarinho Lineup appeared first on Wine Travel.

Amphora wines are in fashion these days and are produced all over the world. While making wines in amphora (qvevri) may have originated in Georgia, the technique was revitalized by Joško Gravner (Collio, Italy). But, it is Portugal that has the world’s only appellation dedicated to wines made in amphora.

In Alentejo, these vessels go by the name “talha”. It is derived from the Latin word “Tinalia” which refers to a large pot or vessel. In the past, talhas were used to store liquids like wine and olive oil. Today, the region is at the forefront of this new (yet ancient) style of Portuguese wine.

DOC Vinho de Talha

In 2012, the DOC “Vinho de Talha” was introduced. The law states that grapes can be grown in all eight subregions of Alentejo. To be certified as a Vinho de Talha, the wine must stay in the talha (amphora) from harvest until at least 11th of November. This is St. Martin’s day and marked the day when the Talhas were tapped traditionally to enjoy the wine throughout the year.

You can learn more about talha winemaking and the traditions in the short video below.

Portuguese wine from amphora in Alentejo dates back to Roman times, around 2000 years ago. Although the traditions have persisted in the region, it’s only recently that the wines have had a commercial renaissance. Many of the wineries, big and small, have added Vinho de Talha wines to their portfolio.

One distinctive difference in the amphora winemaking in Alentejo is the bunghole at the bottom of the vessel. Unlike qvevri in Georgia, the amphorae in Alentejo are not buried. They are kept above ground and the finished wine is drained out through a bunghole in the bottom, instead of being pumped out from the top of the vessel.

Youth is another major difference in Vinho de Talha wines versus many amphora wines made in other parts of the world. All of the wines I tasted were from the previous harvest and were not aged in anything other than talha and bottle. The reds and the whites all have chewy tannins. It was also great to see that none of the wines were oxidized. In general, Of all the wines I tasted, the red “Vinho de Talhas” showed better than the whites.

There are no current producers of high-quality talhas in Portugal. It’s difficult for producers to hunt down amphorae in good condition. Limited vessels mean that the production of Vinho de Talha is small.

Professor Talha

To really understand the modern talha movement in Alentejo, you must see the “professor”.

Professor Arlindo Maria Ruivo was instrumental in the formation of the Vinho de Talha DOC. He has one of the largest collections of talhas in the region at around 50. Visiting his cellar in the small village of Vila de Frades was the highlight of my trip through the region. It’s a small cellar under the family home but brims with energy and romanticism (similar to Gravner’s cellar in Collio, Italy).

I couldn’t directly communicate with the professor but could see the genuineness in his eyes and hear the passion in his voice. Professor Arlindo learned the art of talha winemaking in the 1960s by his father-in-law who founded the Adega Vidigueira cooperative winery.

Professor Arlindo produces small batches of wine with his granddaughter Teresa. I got a sneak preview of the wines and can’t wait to taste the finished products, they will be bottled under the name Gerações da Talha. It’s only right that the godfather of the modern talha movement has his own brand on the market.

Wine Recommendations:

You can find out more about our scoring system on the WINE RATING page.

*The production of Vinho de Talha is limited, which means that many of these wines are only available at the wineries.

• Esporão, Vinho de Talha Roupeiro 2018

Made from the grape Roupeiro, which stays on the skins for three months. Interesting nose of sweet peach, green guava, caramel, and dried apricot. This is a fantastic amphora. Weighty on the palate with salty and mineral notes. This has a slight sherry note on the finish. Gritty texture and a long finish. Just a touch of grippy tannins. Score: 90/100

• Esporão, Vinho de Talha Moreto 2018

The Esporaão Vinho de Talha Moreto is lighter in color for a red with notes of cherry, farm mud, mocha, and white pepper. Medium-bodied and juicy on the palate, you cannot feel the 14% of alcohol. Really nervy acidity and grippy tannin. Savory texture and good length on the palate. Score: 91+/100

• José Maria Fonseca, José de Sousa Puro Talha (white) 2016

The José de Sousa Puro Talha White is an extreme wine, it’s a blend of Antão Vaz, Manteúdo, and Diagalves. Fermented in talhas and aged with a layer of olive oil on top to prevent oxidation, old school style. Low in alcohol at 12% abv. It spends four months with the skins. Old school in style with pumpkin, apricots, ginger. High acidity, this is a bit funky and almost tastes unfinished. Has a sherry-like finish. Very challenging and unique white wine. In between an orange wine and a sherry. Score: 90+/100

• José Maria Fonseca, José de Sousa Puro Talha (red) 2015

The José de Sousa Puro Talha red is made with Grand Noir, Trincadeira, and Aragonez aged for 16 months in Talha and covered with olive oil. This is lower in alcohol at 12.5% ABV with an attractive nose of forest berry, fall leaves, earth, and cherry. This almost smells like a Sangiovese. Medium-bodied and elegant, this has very high acidity. The firm tannins beg for food but they aren’t overly drying. Score: 91/100

• São Miguel, Art. Terra Amphora Branco 2018

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The Art. Terra Amphora Branco is mostly Arinto with some Antão Vaz. The wine stayed on the skins for three months in Talha. There are flavors of lemon, white peach, and tangerine peel. It is fresher than a normal orange wine. There is a slight nuttiness on the finish, but overall it is crisp. Salty and low level of tannins. Score: 89/100

• São Miguel, Art. Terra Amphora Tinto 2017

Find or buy on Wine-Searcher.

The São Miguel Art. Terra Amphora red is a blend of Aragonez, Trincadeira, and Moreto. Notes of pine, blackberry, black plum, and pepper. This is medium-bodied and silky with firm tannins. This has bright acidity to keep the wine light. Unique, delicious, and well made with a long finish. Score: 91/100

• Herdade do Rocim, Amphora 2018

The Herdade do Rocim Amphora is a blend of Moreto, Trincadeira, Tinta Grossa, and Aragonez. Notes of sour cherry, green herbs, pepper, and burnt meat. This is wild and juicy with firm tannins. Distinctive and unique. Very delicious. Made in amphora with no temperature control and indigenous yeasts. Score: 90+/100

• Vidigueira, Vinho de Talha 2018

The Vidigueira Vinho de Talha is a blend of grapes from bush vines over 100 years old. Grapes are Antão Vaz, Larião, Diagalves, Manteúdo, Perrum and Siria on the skins for three months. Concentrated with apricot, white peach, lemon peel, and fall leaves. Full-bodied and rich with about 2.5 g/L of RS. Full and chewy, ripe tannins, and a long finish. Score: 92+/100

• Cartuxa, Vinho de Talha 2017

The Cartuxa Vinho de Talha is made from Alicante Bouschet kept in the talha for eight months. There is a dark core of fruit with black cherry, blackberry, mulberry, smoke, and earth. This is full-bodied with firm tannins. It has weight and texture. The tannins are a bit fierce now and it would be interesting to see where this goes with time. Score: 89/100

• Santiago na Ânfora do Rocim, Alvarinho 2018 – Vinho Verde

The Santiago na Ânfora do Rocim Alvarinho is a cooperation between Herdade de Rocim in Alentejo and Quinta de Santiago in Vinho Verde. It’s made from Alvarinho. The grapes stay on the skins for two months and are fermented only in amphora. There are notes of yeast, lemon, and lime. This is a fresh white wine with texture. The time on the skins give texture but no tannins. Lively acidity rushes through the palate, tastes like a Cru Muscadet with a long finish. Score: 92/100 

You Might Also Enjoy:

Alentejo: Plush Red Portuguese Wine and More

Do you like our content?

If you like our articles and videos, we’d love for you to be a part of our community on Patreon. The support from Patreon helps keep the content coming and you access to behind the scenes content. It also gives us the chance to get to know you better. Check out the Exotic Wine Travel Patreon page by clicking the photo below.

Thanks to the Vinhos do Alentejo for providing the appointments and accommodation during my stay. Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Vinho de Talha: Portuguese Wine from Amphora appeared first on Wine Travel.

Check out our wine travel guide to Santa Barbara Wine Country. 

Lompoc, California was the first stop of our weeklong tasting trip in Santa Barbara County. Driving down CA-246 on the way to Lompoc, the views of Sta. Rita Hills were stunning. We arrived at sunset, greeted by the incredible sight of golden hills wrapped around old creek beds, horse ranches, and green vineyards. Driving there was a real treat; the motorways were winding two-lane roads that weaved through open brush land, abandoned oil wells, and endless rows of vines.

The Lompoc Wine Ghetto

Walking through blocks and blocks of warehouses to taste world-class wine? Visiting up to five or six wineries in a day without putting the key in the ignition? Welcome to Lompoc, the ghetto for wine nerds.

Lompoc is a small town in the western part of Santa Barbara County. The town is laid out in a grid pattern and the architecture is quaintly dated. It feels as if the inhabitants are completely unaware of the wine scene that is thriving on their doorstep. Finding local wines at the neighborhood supermarkets is difficult and the best place to purchase wine is at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto.

Lompoc Wine Ghetto is several blocks behind Home Depot where CA-1 and CA-246 meet. There are over 20 tasting rooms in the Wine Ghetto, which was founded by Rick Longoria. In 1998, due to financial reasons, Longoria decided to build his winery into a warehouse located at the present-day Wine Ghetto. Other young winemakers followed suit. And from there, the rows of wineries were developed into today’s four-block industrial park on the southeast side of town.

The drab facade belies the interior and the actual tasting experience. Inside the warehouses, the tasting rooms are packed with energy. Decorations are often kept to a minimum; the environment is fun and inviting with a touch of individualistic personality. As a case in point, the tasting room of Palmina looks and feels like a friendly neighborhood bar. A couple of the wineries, including the big names like Brewer-Clifton and Longoria are no longer in the main warehouse part of the Wine Ghetto but a few blocks west of town.

Take your time to walk from tasting room to tasting room and do ask the locals for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to be spontaneous; we chanced upon a number of excellent wines because of sheer coincidence and recommendation. Most facilities here are lean and production volumes are comparatively low. A lot of the wines are limited and with high critic scores to boot. There’s a good chance you will meet a few winemakers here. This is the best place for visitors to have a firsthand look at winemaking and understand the tapestry of experience and innovation happening in Santa Barbara.

In a well established wine region like Santa Barbara, it’s not often that visitors get to meet winemakers or proprietors. So it was refreshing when we met Ariel, the owner & winemaker at La Vie. We spent a good hour together as he shared with us his winemaking philosophy and his preference for screw cap enclosure. La Vie is the first Californian producer to bottle Pinot Noir in Stelvin Screwcap enclosure. Ariel prefers to age his wine in French oak barrel for an extended period before bottling and when the screwcap comes on, the wine would be ready for consumption without immediate need to bottle age further. His current released vintage is 2010.

A post shared by Exotic Wine Travel (@exoticwinetravel) on Jun 22, 2016 at 9:45am PDT

In the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, the relatively low cost of wine production by California standards lowers the barriers to entry for young, bootstrapping winemakers. The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is right next to Lompoc so it’s no surprise that most producers here source fruit from that area. However, you can still find wines bearing other AVAs in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. There’s a huge range of wines being made here. Whatever your preference may be, Lompoc can deliver on it. Do you like bubbles? Try Flying Goat Cellars. Looking for elegant Chardonnay? Check out Brewer-Clifton. What about great Pinot Noir? You’re in luck; it’s hard to find an insipid Pinot Noir here.

Tasting room of Brewer-Clifton. Photo Credit: Jeremy Ball of Bottle Branding. We’ve written about Brewer-Clifton in a separate article; the direct link is listed at the bottom of this page.

Please note that most of the tasting rooms are open only on weekends and opening hours are usually from 11AM or 12PM to 4PM or 5PM. Some tasting rooms may be closed without prior notice. If you schedule lunch in the middle of the day, that means you will have to move quickly should you decide to visit more than two or three wineries. The Taste of Sta. Rita Hills is an interesting wine bar in the Wine Ghetto. It offers a wide selection of wines by the glass and these wines are mostly from elusive wineries that either don’t have a tasting room or are hard to make an appointment with.

There are a few budget hotels in town but most people would opt for somewhere else. For food, there are many hole-in-the-wall Mexican eateries throughout the town, including our favorite Floriano’s Mexican Food, which is a few blocks away from the Wine Ghetto. La Botte Italian Restaurant and Scratch Kitchen are two options of a more upscale yet still casual place. Lastly, if you are craving an old-fashioned, greasy spoon café that is widely popular among the locals, be sure to check out American Host. We enjoyed having breakfast there. Overall, the Lompoc Wine Trail was our favorite tasting experience in all of Santa Barbara.

Spending a weekend in the Lompoc Wine Ghetto is an experience that every wine lover should have on their to-do list!

5 Wine Producers to Look Out for in Lompoc

Taste of Sta. Rita Hills is one of our favourite finds at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. Owned and run by Antonio, who’s also the proprietor and winemaker at Moretti Wines, this place houses over 20 labels that are available for tasting! Here’s a shot of Antonio offering us a taste of Bonaccorsi Pinot Noir through a @coravin.

A post shared by Exotic Wine Travel (@exoticwinetravel) on Jun 22, 2016 at 10:01am PDT

Bonaccorsi (Available at Taste of Sta. Rita Hills)

After setting up the winery in 1999, former sommelier Michael Bonaccorsi soon passed away in 2004. Bonaccorsi is now run by his wife, Jenne Lee Bonaccorsi, who produces excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. This winery delivers some of the best value-for-money single-vineyard wines in the county. Don’t miss the chance to taste the characteristics of different sites—from the vineyard of Melville to Cargasacchi, and Fiddlestix. The Bonaccorsi Pinot Noirs truly impressed us with their harmonious synchronization of being big, fruity, earthy, and elegant all at the same time.

These wines are for you if: You are particular about the structure and length of your wine or if you like your wine to express complexity, focus, and delicacy.

Photo credit: www.flyinggoatcellars.com

Flying Goat Cellars

Norm Yost and Kate Griffith, the proprietors and husband-and-wife team, produce excellent Pinot Noirs but have made a name for themselves with their sparkling wine line called Goat Bubbles. Goat Bubbles are made in traditional méthode champenoise and the lineup includes a Rosé made from Pinot Noir, a Brut made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, a Blanc de Blanc (white wine from white grapes) made from Chardonnay, a Blanc de Noir (white wine made from red grapes) made from Pinot Noir, and a Crémant from Pinot Blanc. The tasting room has a casual and an unhurried feel. Perhaps that’s the effect of sparklers on a tasting room.

These wines are for you if: You love sparkling wine.

Search or buy Flying Goat Cellars wine on Wine Searcher.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Ball of Bottle Branding.

Longoria

In 1998, Rick Longoria became the first producer to have his winery built in an industrial building, which is now affectionately called the Lompoc Wine Ghetto. In 2014, he moved the winery out of the Wine Ghetto and onto the site of Lompoc’s historic JM Club, with the Longoria Winery Tasting Room located in the former clubhouse. Longoria has an extensive portfolio of wines ranging from those made of Chardonnay, to Pinot Noir, Rhône varieties, Spanish varieties, and Bordeaux varieties. Do not miss the chance of tasting the incredibly structured Pinot Noir made with grapes from the estate’s Fe Ciega vineyard. Longoria also produces an Albariño but was sold out when we visited, much to our dismay. There is a chance that you’ll meet Rick Longoria or his wife, Diana Longoria, at the tasting room.

These wines are for you if: You enjoy elegance and subtlety in your wine.

Search or buy Longoria wine on Wine Searcher.

Moretti (Available at Taste of Sta. Rita Hills)

Antonio and Jeni Moretti are the proprietors of Moretti winery and a wine shop called Taste of Sta. Rita Hills, which doubles up as a tasting room for the winery. They produce a handful of wines including varietal whites made from Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, and Chardonnay, and varietal reds made from Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. They also make a Prosecco and a white blend of Arneis, Cortese, and Tocai Friulano. The production is minuscule and sometimes can be as little as 400 cases per year. The biggest highlight for us is their peppery Syrah, which delivers excellent value for money. A visit to their wine shop is a real treat as Antonio and Jeni are passionate about sharing their wine knowledge with the visitors. Also, the shop is essentially a tasting room for the elusive wines of Sta. Rita Hills. The wines of Demetria, Sea Smoke, and Storm are all available by the glass. We recommend that you make this place one of your first stops in order to receive a personal orientation to the wines of Santa Barbara County.

These wines are for you if: You prefer Old World-style, food-friendly wine with earthy nuances.

Palmina and La Voix

Owned by Steve Clifton, one of the original founders of Brewer-Clifton, Palmina focuses on Italian varieties while La Voix includes wines made from French varieties like Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Syrah. This is one of the larger tasting rooms in the Wine Ghetto. It has an upbeat, fun atmosphere that makes you want to spend a couple of hours here and hang out with the staff or your friends. If you want a taste of Italy, Palmina has it all for you—from Cortese, to Barbera, Malvasia, Sangiovese, Super Tuscan-style wines, and a show-stopping Nebbiolo. For the La Voix line, the bigger-bodied Pinot Noirs stand out the most to us, with a good balance of fruitiness, acidity, and tannin. Both labels use predominantly native yeast and neutral oak barrels. This winery is well-regarded in the wine community and we highly recommend a visit.

These wines are for you if: You enjoy food-friendly wine with bright acidity or bigger-bodied Pinot Noir that expresses the purity of fruit and a touch of earthiness.

Search or buy Palmina wine on Wine Searcher.
Search or buy La Voix wine on Wine Searcher.

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Planning a trip to Santa Barbara?
Want to learn more about Santa Barbara wines?

Our visitor-friendly guide to the wines and tasting rooms of Santa Barbara is available now!
Check out Sipping Santa Barbara: Recommended Wines and Producers for more information.

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• 10 Wines to Try in Santa Barbara County
• Brewer-Clifton: Combining Expertise, Gravitas, and Nature

Please note that the opinions expressed in this article are unsolicited and have not been paid for in any way by governmental bodies, enterprises, or individuals. We do not sell editorial content as that would destroy the legitimacy of our reviews and the trust between Exotic Wine Travel and its readers. On occasion, we extend the option of purchasing the wines we review or/and the products we spotlight. Some of these product links are set up through affiliate programs, which means Exotic Wine Travel gets referral credits if you choose to purchase these items via the links we provide.

The post Slumming It at the Lompoc Wine Ghetto appeared first on Wine Travel.

You have three seconds to answer this question: Which country has the largest area of vineyards planted?

Do you have the answer? Most people equate France with wine, and since France is a relatively good sized country, it makes sense that France could be the answer. Another common answer is Italy, since every region in the country produces wine. What about the United States? With wine grown and made in every state, in addition to the large state of California and its booming wine industry, the case could be made for good old ‘Merica. Even China has been creeping up the chart in the past years and is now in the top four.

However, the answer is Spain and by a pretty sizeable margin over number two France. I can make a case based on my experience traveling through Spain; wine is clearly a bigger part of their daily culture than any of the neighboring countries like Italy, France, and Portugal. Wine flows in abundance in Spain, as it evidently shows in the many selections by the glass and affordable prices at every bar and restaurant.

Taking the train along the Atlantic coast from Porto, Portugal, Charine and I had no idea what to expect as we had our eyes set on Galicia, Spain. To me, areas surrounding two country’s borders are soft landings—the languages, cultures, and atmospheres seem to create a gray zone around the political border. Once we crossed the Portugal-Spain border, the staff on the train switched from speaking Portuguese to Spanish, the street signs instantly changed, and it was almost as if life and train appeared to move slower.

The Wine Regions of Galicia

Arriving in Spain, for a start, we chose to base ourselves in the coastal town of Vigo—the lifeblood of the Spanish seafood industry. I came here on a mission to taste the up-and-coming wines from the regions of Galicia, including Monterrei, Rias Baixas, Ribeira Sacra, Ribeiro, and Valdeorras. All of these regions are regulated as Denominacion de Origen (DO) which means consumers can rely on them to make good-quality wines as the government regulates production and vinification.

When talking about Spanish wine, most often, the first thing that comes to mind is Rioja and—to a lesser extent—Cava the sparkling wine. More informed wine nerds may think of Priorat and Ribera del Duero. Often falling off the radar in the international market are the wines from Galicia, which are good across the board and can be outstanding.

A look at the Spanish grape varieties: some of the notable ones for red wines are Mencia, Garnacha (Grenache), and Tempranillo. For the white wines: Torrentes, Treixadura, Caino, and Godello are widely used. One of the biggest stars among the white wine grapes is Albarino, which is grown in Riax Baixas.

My first introduction to Albarino and Galician wine was at a tasting in Singapore with the winemaker Raul Perez, whose wines have a cult-like following. His Albarino called Sketch received a lot of press because of its high scores and its unique wine-making process—the bottles are aged in the Atlantic Ocean. He also makes some drop dead gorgeous red wine out of Mencia. He also looks like Andy Garcia. Meeting him and drinking his wines really stirred up something inside me that compelled me to visit Galicia.

Wine pairing dinner with Spanish winemaker Raul Perez (left).

Galician Wine

A night out in Spain is very conducive and fun for exploring and drinking wine. The Spanish don’t eat dinner until late in the evening around 10. The time before the evening meal is meant for hours of tapas bar-hopping—in search of tipples and light bites, coupled with a lot of socializing.

Throughout Spain, wine-by-the-glass options are dominated by reds from Rioja. The great thing about the towns in Galicia is that besides Rioja, there is an abundance of local wines on the take, especially in Vigo. Vigo is peppered with tons of tapas bars with high-quality food and wine. In addition to that, Vigo is particularly refreshing because few visitors make their way up to Northwest, Spain. Most opt for Madrid, or the sunny south side in places like Barcelona, Valencia, or Granada.

Over lunch and dinner on a daily basis, Charine and I would try a large selection of wine. Each bar had at least five to six red and white wine options by the glass—all for just a few Euros each. I was in heaven as we swept up at least two different wines with each round, trying to absorb as much information and hedonistic pleasure as we could.

The wines I kept enjoying and going back to were the reds made from Mencia and whites made from Albarino.

The story of Mencia has a similar story as Barbera from Piedmont, Italy. For the longest time, Mencia was used for everyday, village wines that were thin and quaffable. Now this grape is going through somewhat of a renaissance; as Jancis Robinson noted, producers are starting to find that hills producing low yields can create fuller, outstanding wines with rich flavors and texture out of the Mencia grape.

To me, a good wine made from Mencia is like a thinner and more acidic northern Rhone Syrah with softer tannins. Imagine a less sweet and tart blackberry jam with pepper. It is incredibly easy to drink and the spiciness of the grape makes it even more attractive.

Mencia is grown in Valdeorras, Ribeira Sacra, and Ribeiro. My favorite examples are from Ribeira Sacra. Through a lot of voluntary experimentation, I’ve found that it is one of those unique red wines that pair well with fish.

The undeniable star in Galicia is the Albarino from Rias Baixas. It is a thick-skinned white grape that has been making a name for itself in the international wine world. Popular for its beautiful mouthfeel, dense texture, and minerality, drinking Albarino is like taking in a mouthful of seawater breeze, mixed with rich tropical fruit flavors. It is a white that truly needs to be experienced. It also goes perfectly with the abundance of fish and seafood coming into the Vigo’s port.

A Real Gem Amongst Spanish Wine

I was beyond impressed with the wines from Galicia and the port city of Vigo. Most people head straight for the churches of the Galicia capital, Santiago de Compostela. However, if you want to touch a real unique place of the country, head up to the coast. Around Vigo, you’ll find joy in the magnificent beaches, inexpensive seafood, and remote offshore island. The wines are not too shabby either.

A look at the beach in the city of Vigo.

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