2016 Atlantis by Maetierra Albarino Rías Baixas

2016 Bodega Classica Rioja Hacienda López de Haro Blanco

 

 

These wines were provided by vintae, a Spanish wine company that represents wineries throughout Spain and 401 West Communications.

 

 

Vintae was created to reflect the current Spanish wine landscape – Spanish wines with diverse terroirs fall under the Vintae portfolio, varying in style, flavor and even price point. The Arambarri family has a long history in wine and agriculture and they want people to have fun with wine and not take it so seriously. Their goal is to revolutionize Spanish winemaking and show the vast array of style and flavors that Spain is capable of creating.

 

At Vintae, our dream is to revolutionize the wine world. Only by taking risks will we accomplish our dream. Vintae is not just a wine company; it is a new way of experiencing wine.

 

Our vineyards span fourteen regions of Spain, and while our roots began in Rioja, we were inspired and captivated by the diverse wine growers and terroir that dominate our country. These regions and landscapes each have their own story and it’s our dream to share them with the rest of the world in ways that have not been done or tasted before.

 

Our vineyards and wineries are unique, just like the people who work tirelessly to create top quality products. We are a family who come from around the world, united by the same idea to share our story and our dream to revolutionize wine.

 

Much more information on vintae and their wineries is available on their website by clicking here.

 

 

Here are the wines for this post:

 

 

2016 Atlantis by Maetierra Albarino Rías Baixas – SRP $15.99

This is 100% Albariño from vineyards located in Condado de Tea, on the right bank of River Miño.  The vineyard is on rolling slopes in sandy soils with a granite subsoil at altitudes between 100 and 250 m above sea level.  The overhead vineyard uses a trellis system, reaching a height of up to 2.80 m.  The grapes are manually harvested into plastic boxes.  After sorting the grapes are pressed.  The alcoholic fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless-steel vats at a 18ºC.   After fermentation the wine is racked to separate the lees and it undergoes a cold stabilization.  After being filtered the wine is finally bottled.

 

The wine is a very light straw yellow color.  The refreshing nose has green apples, kiwi, lemon zest and just a hint of ripe banana.  This is just barely medium body with crisp acidity.  On the palate tart apples and kiwi grab your attention on the front end with tart, mouthwatering lemon zest coming in on the back end and lingering nicely on the long finish.  This is Spring in a bottle, ready to be your companion on a warm, sunny day.  This has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerated cork.  (90 pts)

 

 

 

2016 Bodega Classica Rioja Hacienda López de Haro Blanco – SRP $9.99

This wine is Viura with lesser amounts of other varietals.  The Viura is from an old vineyard in the area of San Vicente de la Sonsierra (La Rioja).  The grapes were hand harvested during the entire month of October.   After fermentation, the wine was aged between 3 and 4 months in French oak barrels.

 

The wine is a very light and pale straw yellow color.  The delicate and enticing nose has tart apples, white peach, chalky minerals, citrus zest and a hint of spicy oak.  This is barely medium body with crisp acidity.  On the palate tart apples, peaches and chalky minerals jump out quickly on the front end with lime zest slipping in later.  The finish has very nice length with lemon zest providing great depth and a touch of spicy oak comes in at the end.  This could use a bit of cellar time for the oak notes to better integrate.  This is a delicious white Rioja that will go with a wide variety of lighter meals.  This is very easy to sip and enjoy.  This has 12.5% alcohol and the bottle is sealed with an agglomerate cork.  (92 pts)

 

 

Conclusion

These are both nicely nuanced, lighter bodied wines that would be a welcome addition to a meal any time of the year but especially on a warm, sunny day.

 

 

 

 

Rebekah Polster formed 401 West Communications in the winter 2016 after working in public relations and marketing for over 15 years. She has worked with a variety of brands, including: Wines from Rioja, Drink Ribera. Drink Spain, Wines from Spain, Les Vins Georges Duboeuf, Yarden Wines of Israel, Grupo Codorníu, Francis Ford Coppola Wineries; Grey Goose Vodka, Bacardi Rum, Van Gogh Vodka, TAP Whisky, Grand Marnier; Valor Chocolates from Spain, Prosciutto di Parma; Joto Sake, illy caffe, Riedel and Spiegelau Crystal, Turtle Inn and Blancaneaux Resorts.

 

Rebekah’s diverse background in public relations, marketing, event planning and account management has been tapped for overseeing major press, trade and consumer events, including day-of events and guerrilla marketing, small intimate tastings and press meetings. Rebekah has accumulated key contacts in the food and beverage industry, including sommeliers, mixologists, retailers and educators. She has cultivated a large rolodex of journalist contacts in food, beverage and lifestyle media, adding to the key placements generated for her clients.

 

Rebekah Polster

401 West Communications

President

917.583.5958

http://www.401westcomm.com/

 

 

 

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You can follow me on Twitter for more wine info, potential food pairings, and an occasional recipe or two.  Be warned, I’m also a sports fan and there are occasional Pittsburgh Penguins, Steelers, and Pirates tweets.  I attended the University of South Carolina, so during football season, there will also be some Gamecock posts.

 

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Cheers!

 

 

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Notes – I use the “official” Cellar Tracker name for the wines.  I use Cellar Tracker to help manage and organize my cellar.  I highly recommend checking it out at www.cellartracker.com.  Loading you existing cellar is a lot less intimidating than it would first appear.  There is a good chance 99% of your wine is already in the system, so you generally only need to enter part of the wine’s name and the system will find it for you.

 

 

Prices noted are the prices I paid at the time of purchase.  I don’t shop around to find the best prices, but always check out the sale and close out items when in a store.  Wines purchased direct from a winery do not include any shipping charges.  None of the prices include the sales tax.

 

 

All wines that were sent to me free of charge to sample will be noted and I will show suggested prices when available.

 

 

 

Cheers!