On Location with Adega Algueira

by Noah ChichesterUncategorizedPosted on Comments are Disabled

Established in 2005 by Fernando González, Adega Algueira has led a quality-driven revolution in the Ribeira Sacra. Fernando is like the Lorax: he speaks for Ribeira Sacra. He considers himself a mouthpiece for the region, spreading the message of Ribeira Sacra’s history and tradition. Now, second-generation Fabio has joined his father at the helm of the winery.

We spent an afternoon in some of their most iconic vineyards, talking about the Ribeira Sacra’s terroir and what it means to make wine in the land of heroic viticulture.

ratiño gallega grape

DO Rías Baixas, IXP Barbanza e Iria Add Ratiño to Approved Grapes

by Noah ChichesterUncategorizedPosted on Comments are Disabled

The Ratiño Gallega grape variety is the newest addition to the roster of approved grapes for DO Rías Baixas and IXP Barbanza e Iria. Ratiño is a native variety that survived the 19th-century triple threat of powdery mildew, downy mildew, and phylloxera in the region of Pontevedra, and was rediscovered over 30 years ago by …

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In the Vineyard with Rafael Palacios

by Noah ChichesterUncategorizedPosted on Comments are Disabled

Rafael Palacios is crafting world-class wines from Godello in Valdeorras. From his 100-point Sorte O Soro to the entry-level Louro, this Riojano has established himself as one of the region’s leading winemakers.

We spent a day driving around Valdeorras, visiting his different vineyards as he explained his philosophy behind winemaking and what makes this region of Galicia the greatest terroir for Godello.

albariño aromas

Aromas in Galician Wines, Explained

by Noah ChichesterBlog, LearnPosted on Comments are Disabled

Describing the aromas in Galician wines requires a little chemistry lesson. Like all wines, the aromas in albariño, mencía, godello, and more come from volatile flavor compounds that are let loose when mixed with alcohol and can be detected by our noses.

On the Galician Language, Place Names, and Wine

by Noah ChichesterBlogPosted on 2 Comments

To begin to think about Galicia, its people, its culture, and its wine, we need to start with the Galician language: galego. I’ve been told I speak Spanish with a Galician accent—the sing-song, musical, rising and falling cadence that’s one of the first things people from the rest of Spain will imitate. “Ah, galleguiño!” they’ll say, using the distinct -iño/-iña diminutive native to Galicia. “Que tal las vaquiñas?”

Alberto Nuñez Feijoo and Juan Manuel Casares

In Ribeiro, Politics As Usual

by Noah ChichesterBlog, RibeiroPosted on Comments are Disabled

Playing politics has its price, and Ribeiro is paying it. Whoever takes over its presidency will inherit a rudderless wine region, trying and failing to emulate the success of Rías Baixas through senseless promotional campaigns…