Pazo do Mar Monterrei Alma de Autor Godello 2024

 

A fragrant, crisp, dry white wine with notes of citrus and a hint of toast. The palate is powerfully crisp and dry, yet also has a seductive juiciness thanks to the "sur lie" aging.

 

 

Galician white wines are being discovered. The most famous name from northwest Spain is the already widely available Rías Baixas, but further inland, Galicia offers undiscovered gems, such as Manuel Mendez's Alma de Autor from Monterrei.

He crafts a beautiful white wine from the Godello grape from a privileged vineyard plot with 50-year-old vines. The vineyard, less than a hectare in size, is right next to the winery. This is a major advantage, as almost immediately after being hand-picked, the grapes arrive in the cellar, where Manuel immediately begins vinification.

Although still relatively unknown, Monterrei is a rapidly emerging appellation in Galicia with high-altitude vineyards. Nearly 70% of the production is white wine. Here, on the border between Atlantic and Mediterranean influences, the grapes ripen slightly later than in the coastal Rías Baixas. The Alma de Autor has the characteristic Galician freshness combined with a beautiful, full flavor. It pairs perfectly with fish, shellfish, white meat, and even pasta.