Review: 3 White and Rose Wines from Northern Spain, 2020 Releases
Rioja is iconically known for its red wines, but today we’re looking at three lighter styles from this region and its neighbor, Valdeorras. Grown in a hot climate, these exuberant wines are clearly built for summer sipping. Let’s dig in.
2019 CVNE Monopole – A 100% viura white wine from Rioja. Clean but rather perfumed, with notes of white flowers doing battle with a bit of lime peel and just a touch of slightly sour, unripe fruit. The acid on the finish is cleansing but a bit overwhelming. B / $15
2018 Pagos del Galir Godello – 100% godello from Valdeorras, a white wine. Here we again have a perfumed, floral note, with notes of honeysuckle and cotton balls bursting up front. There’s a lemon and tangerine character that builds aggressively toward the finish, helping to brighten up the wine and giving it a crisper finish. B+ / $21
2018 Vina Real Rosado – A rose blend of garnacha, tempranillo, and viura from Rioja. Hyper-fruity with loads of fresh berries, this drinks much like a typical and unsurprising California rose with notes of vanilla and sweet cream on the finish. B- / $14
2018 Pagos del Galir Godello
$21
