Summer Sipping: Pazo Pondal Albariño 2017

When the dog days of summer come around (that’s right now, by the way), a bold red wine tends to be my second and often my third choice for sipping. The first wine I pour? A refreshing, chilled glass of something white… This month the Wine Pairing Weekend (#winepw) crew chose to focus our monthly articles on the crisp white wines of Spain and Portugal paired with a favorite dish (see below for a list of wine choices and recipes from the group). Having returned from an incredible press trip in Portugal, I’ll be writing about some of the memorable wines and regional dishes I tasted in an upcoming post. In this article, however, Spain is up front and center with a delicious wine (sent as a sample): Pazo Pondal Albariño 2017 from Rias Baixas.

Located on the western coast of the province of A Coruña and along the entire coast of the Galician province of Pontevedra in northwestern Spain, Rias Baixas covers about 3000 square kilometers. More than 6600 grape growers work in the region which is divided into over 22,000 plots of an average elevation of 250 meters above sea level.

The sub-region of Tea County, the certified winegrowing area in which Pazo Pondal Albariño 2017 was cultivated, includes small rivers and lies near the opening of the Miño Valley. The area’s marine climate offers cold winters and cool summers; temperatures may be mild or warm and rainfall is abundant. The indigenous grapes of Rias Baixas include the whites of Albariño, Loureira Blanca, and Treixadura and the reds of Caiño Tinto, Espadeiro, and Loureira Tinta.

Pazo Pondal Albariño 2017 (under $20) is from grapes sourced from one of the Pazo Pondal winery’s oldest vineyards. Leira Longa, a lower altitude plot of shallow, acidic granite soils that provides less acidity and more body, boasts high organic matter and the ability to retain water and nutrients. The profile of the wine reflected so much of this unique terroir. On the nose, I discovered powerful floral notes, just-squeezed lemon, fleshy white peaches, beeswax, and bright minerality. The refreshing, full-bodied palate profile included lip smacking acidity, tropical fruit flavors, salinity wafting from the sea, and a long citrus and mineral driven finish.

Naturally, this summer sipper begged for a pairing just as delightful as what was in the glass. And I found it in the version of one of the simplest and flavorful tapas yet –  Serrano Ham, Goat Cheese and Fig Jam atop a wafer-thin cracker. Who needs to spend time in the kitchen when you’ve got a glass of Pazo Pondal Albariño 2017 waiting? The salty notes of the ham, pungent creaminess of the cheese, and sweet flavors of the jam paired with the beautiful Albariño were unforgettable… You’ll just have to taste for yourself!

Cheers to another luscious summer sipper with tapas! ~ Cindy

Enjoy the wine and food pairings of my amazing colleagues.

• Lori of Dracaena Wines is Celebrating International Albariño Day with #WinePW.
• David from Cooking Chat offers up Rias Baixas Albariño with Summer Party Nibbles.
• Sarah of Curious Cuisiniere puts together Galician Style Mussels In White Wine And An Albariño Wine
  Pairing
• Jill of L’Occasion says What We’re Drinking Now: Chill White Wine from Spain and
  Portugal.
• Jeff of FoodWineClick! writes Tapas and Albariño: A Winning Combination.
• Lauren of The Swirling Dervish features Wines from Cariñena, Spain: Perfect for Summer Sipping.
• Rupal of Syrah Queen lists Top White Wines from the Douro Valley.
• Michelle of Rockin Red Blog tells us to Beat the Summer Heat with Rias Baixas Albariño.
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm shares Albariño and Seafood Stew: the Perfect Pairing.
• Jane of Always Ravenous serves Grilled Clams with Spanish Albariño.
• Nicole of Somm’s Table is Cooking to the Wine: Adegas Gran Vinum Nessa Albariño Rias
  Baixas and an Umami-packed Twist on Fish and Chips.
• Susannah of avvinare offers Albariño paired with Shrimp Paella – A Summer Delight.
• Gwendolyn of Wine Predator is having an Albariño Adventure on Anglesey.
• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla pairs California Central Coast Albariños with Spanish Bites.