Nothing says summer to me like crisp rose by the water, and nothing is more refreshing than a slightly fizzy Vinho Verde rosato. And even though I generally prefer whites or rose during warmer months, its nice to crack open a bottle of soft, fruity red like unaged Tempranillo.
Aviva Vinho Verde Rosato 2018
Aviva Imports Quinta da LIxa Vinho Verde Rosato 2018; our featured wine for June’s Heritage Wine Club at Just A Taste.
Wine Snapshot: Quinta da Lixa
vinho verde rosato 2018
Winery: Quinta da Lixa
Winemaker: Carlos Teixeira
Region: Portugal - Minho Province - Vinho Verde DOC
Grape Varietal(s): 100% Espadeiro
Viticulture: granitic soils at low elevation; Atlantic ocean influence
Method: short maceration in stainless steel; brief aging; force carbonation before bottling
Serving Suggestions: 40-44° F with fresh seafood, salad, grilling, beaches, and anything summer related
Age: Drink through the summer (2019)
Tasting Notes:
Fresh, clean, and insanely fruit-forward, brimming with citrus and strawberry flavors, with saline-tinged acidity. - Verve Wines
Yup. Tastes like water. But in a good way. - Jack
Strawberry and lime candy with just the right amount of lip-smacking acidity and spritz. I’ll take another bottle, please. - Eric
About the Minho Winegrowing Region
Map of Portugal, courtesy of WinesOfPortugal.info
The Minho Province is located just south of the Minho River from Spain’s Rias Baixas region. In truth, the only separation (including winemaking style), is political. You will find similar grape varietals, like Alvarino (Albarino) on both sides of the river.
Minho IGP and the Vinho Verde DOP extends from the Minho River in the north down to the Duoro River in central Portugal. It accounts for nearly 15% of Portugal’s entire vineyard acreage and makes a mixture of white, rosato, and red wines, most of which are in a fresh “drink now” style much like Vinho Verde.
Azul y Garanza tempranillo 2017
Azul Y Garanza Tempranillo from Valkyrie Selections, our featured Heritage Wine Club red at Just A Taste.
Wine Snapshot: azul y garanza
Tempranillo 2017
Winemaker: Dani Sánchez, María Barrena and Fernando Barrena
Region: Navarra DO
Grape Varietal(s): 100% Tempranillo
Viticulture: organically farmed, dry, clay-calcareous soils at 400 meters; Murillo and Santa Cara vineyards
Method: native yeast fermentation in cement tanks; gentle punchdowns and pump overs; aged briefly in concrete
Serving Suggestions: 60-65° F with grilled meat or tapas
Age: Drink 2019-2022
Tasting Notes:
Opaque ruby. Smoke-accented cherry and spicecake aromas are accompanied by a building floral nuance. Shows very good lift and energy to its black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors, which put on weight with aeration. Finishes smooth and quite long, with strong spicy lift and just a hint of smooth, even tannins. - Azul Y Garanza
About Azul Y Garanza
“The Azul y Garanza vineyards begin in the lunar landscaped Bardenas Reales Natural Park. Founders Dani Sánchez, María Barrena and Fernando Barrena work with “landscapes” – not merely vineyards - with each of their plots enjoying as much biological diversity as this harsh climate will allow. The surrounding plants, shrubs, trees, and animal/insect life play as much a part to the success of the grapes as the vines themselves. Winemaking is quite natural – the widespread, almost exclusive use of concrete vats, natural yeasts and gentle hands.
NAVARRA || Shallow, clay-traced soils, with minimal water, and irregular, almost non-existent rainfall, as well as extreme contrasts in temperature between day and night. Due to these singular geoclimatic conditions, the vines offer a naturally low production of small grapes that have a high concentration and a perfect equilibrium. Dani and María are passionate about organic farming and have additionally invested in farming their vineyards 100% organically, without the use of pesticides, insecticides, or chemical fertilizers that wear out the soil.” - Valkyrie Selections
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