Why should you care? The racy, mineral-accented white wines of northwest Spain are among the world’s most vibrant and food-friendly, and with rare exception prices are ridiculously low for the quality delivered. The native albariño variety is king in the Rías Baixas denomination, which in turn is the most prized area for white wines in the region, if not all of Spain. Plenty of so-so albariños have emerged to take advantage of the grape’s relatively recent fame so it’s important to stick to the best producers, like Adegas Gran Vinum. This highly regarded winery produces a range of albariños but their Nessa bottling is consistently their top value, and the 2011 version is a serious winner.
What does it taste like? With its bright citrus fruit, mineral and floral elements and bracing acidity, the 2011 Nessa is extremely flexible with lighter hot-weather fare and also drinks wonderfully on its own. I’d serve it with simply prepared seafood, even sushi or sashimi. It comes in magnums too, which I figure to be a civilized single portion.
How much does it cost, and where can you find it? $17; Grapes of Spain.
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