2020 I PASTINI “RAMPONE” VALLE D’ITRIA BIANCO - PUGLIA, ITALY
Minutolo
Winemaking details: I Pàstini is a small, family-run winery in the Valle d’Itria in eastern central Puglia, on a beautiful limestone plateau overlooking the Adriatic Sea. They have century old olive groves in addition to the vineyards. The climate is characterized by warmer days during the growing season, however they are not excessive as they are tempered by cool nights and foggy mornings from the coastal influence. The Carparelli family grows a vareity of grapes that are now organic certified, and all the work in the vineyards are done by hand and the grapes are all hand harvested. This white grape, Minutolo, is distantly related to the Moscato family and produces dry, aromatic white wines. After harvest, the grapes are sorted and fermented with indigenous yeast in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Once dry, the wine ages in steel for 6 months, does not go through malolactic fermentation, and has an additional 3 months of bottle ageing before release.
Color: Pale Straw
Bouquet: Green melon, makrut lime, lime curd, lemongrass, jasmine, white peach, black tea, Asian pear
Palate: This is a very aromatic white wine that has a lovely and complex bouquet, and dry and refreshing mouthfeel. The palate is bright and long, with a burst of flavors ranging from citrus to floral to stone and tropical fruits, with subtle savory notes. It is relatively lower alcohol, especially for a warmer region, and has a medium body with a generous texture and long finish. Pair this wine with fried fish with grilled seasonal veggies, Thai green papaya salad, local Dungeness crab curry, or even hot wings.
This wine is in a great place, yet could age another 3-5 years if desired.
Further information can be found here: I Pastini
2019 GUIMARO RIBEIRA SACRA TINTO - GALICIA, SPAIN
Mencia
Winemaking details: Pedro Rodríguez comes from a long line of farmers in the Sober village of the Amandi subzone of the Riberia Sacra region in Spain. The family has always tended vines in addition to a small finca with chickens, rabbits, pigs, and vegetables. They bottled wine for personal use and sold jugs to the local cantinas until 1991 when they established a proper winery. They named their winery Guímaro, which means “rebel” in Gallego, a nickname of Pedro’s grandfather. Pedro took over oficailly in 2001 and converted everything to organic farming, and his parents are still out in the vineyards helping him every day. These Mencia grapes are 30-45 years old, and planted on Slate, Schist, Granite & Sand soils. The vineyards are above just above the river Sil on crazy-steep slopes with grades up to 85 degrees. After harvesting by hand, the grapes are vinified in separate plots based off soil type by native yeasts. About 20% of the grapes remaining whole cluster, and the fermentation is cool and long, taking place half in tank and half in neutral oak foudre. Once pressed, the wine ages in steel for 6 months before bottling with minimal sulfur and a light filtration.
Color: Pale purple.
Bouquet: Pomegranate, cassis, blackberry, wet earth, wild cherry, light smoky spice, dried roses, gravel.
Palate: This Mencia is a lighter style than some, though still has a medium body with a great texture, supple silky tannin, a light spice, and zippy acid. The savory and spicy notes are balanced with bright berries and red fruit notes. It’s easy drinking and finishes fresh, and on a hot day could be good with a slight chill. Let this wine decant for 30 minutes, and try it out with chorizo paella, spicy squid ink pasta, Manchego and wild mushroom risotto, or carne asada tacos.
This bottling from Guímaro is mostly the younger vines and made in a style to drink when young. Other bottlings from them can age for 7-10+ years, but we recommend drinking this one in the next year or so.
Further information can be found here: Guimaro