Winemaker Notes
Amizade is a project from renowned winemaker Gerardo Méndez of Do Ferreiro in Rias Baixas. He has been instrumental in our continued exploration of new vineyards in Galicia. This friendship ("Amizade" in Galician) with Gerardo has borne continual fruit, of which this wine is a fine exemplar. Monterrei, its region of production, is an area of Galician Spain on the border with Portugal. It is something of a no man’s land for wine given its remoteness and comparative lack of sophisticated approaches. In this challenging territory, Gerardo, working with a local grower has selected clones from a vineyard called Quinturas. This is a pre-phylloxera parcel of centenarian vines, with predominantly sandy-slate soils. The site lies in the heart of Monterrei, in a valley where the cool nights extend the viticultural season. Vinification has all been carried out at a very sophisticated facility in the region and has utilized native yeast with fermentation in temperature-controlled tanks. Bottled after six months of lees aging, this the wine drinks well upon release and benefits also from bottle aging.
Known for bold reds, crisp whites and distinctive sparkling and fortified wines, Spain has embraced international varieties and wine styles while continuing to place primary emphasis on its own native grapes. Though the country’s climate is diverse, it is generally hot and dry. In the center of the country lies a vast, arid plateau known as the Meseta Central, characterized by extremely hot summers and frequent drought.
Rioja is Spain’s best-known region, where earthy, age-worthy reds are made from Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). Rioja also produces rich, nutty whites from the local Viura grape.
Ribera del Duero is gaining ground with its single varietal Tempranillo wines, recognized for their concentration of fruit and opulence. Priorat, a sub-region of Catalonia, specializes in bold, full-bodied red blends of Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan), and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Catalonia is also home to Cava, a sparkling wine made in the traditional method but from indigenous varieties. In the cool, damp northwest region of Galicia, refreshing white Albariño and Verdejo dominate.
Sherry, Spain’s famous fortified wine, is produced in a wide range of styles from dry to lusciously sweet at the country’s southern tip in Jerez.
Godello is native to northwest Spain and has experienced a major revival in the last 20 years. Godello wines are typically sleek and lightly creamy in texture. Barrel fermentation and lees stirring are typical in Valdeorras, Spain where the grape comes from. These winemaking techniques make the most of Godello's inherent structure and help bring out its lovely floral character. Somm Secret—DNA profiling says that Spain’s Godello is actually identical to the Portugese grape variety Gouveio, which grows throughout the Douro and Dão (where it used to mistakenly be called Verdelho).
