24 Aug Wine Talk – New & Spanish!
New & Spanish!
Pinol Portal Blanco
Cellar Piñol is a family owned winery in the Northeast region of Terra Alta, who focuses on organic farming practices and fusing traditional and innovative wine techniques to craft unique and terroir driven wines. Amy had a chance to visit last year and whoa! what a group of marvelous people AND wines!
Here their Portal Blanco – delightful year round – made from 100% Garnacha Blanca (White Grenache). An aromatic white, you will find tropical notes of pineapple, banana and pear leading a fresh palate containing subtle notes of crushed herbs and roses. It has a slight round nutty texture that plays medium on the palate. Try with sun-dried tomato and spinach stuffed chicken breast for a great late summer feast!
Exopto Bozeto
Exopto is a “garage winery”, another fantastic experience visit from Amy’s Spain trip last year. Garage wineries are those that are so small they literally make their wines in a tiny location, sometimes to start – in their own garage! Tom, this winery’s owner & winemaker, has outgrown his own garage but doesn’t have much space! Packed inside a storage unit in an industrial area, it’s fledgling but produces great delights in its wines that express the complexity and range of Rioja through its native grapes.
This bottling of Bozeto is easy to understand and a delightful to enjoy introduction to Rioja as well as a super value bottle for those of you who have been on the Rioja train for years…
A classic blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha and Graciano; inside is a young and fresh red full of fruit and a touch of oak. Ripe black fruits and vanilla on the nose continue as fresh blackberries back the palate with a little clove and brown sugar added to a silky smooth finish. A great pairing for roasted lamb or simply sip on its own!