Alcohol: 13%
Grape(s): Albariño
Localization: Rías Baixas, Galicia, Spain
Tasting Notes: Apple aromas along with a touch of brine lead to a fresh nose. This feels perfectly healthy, with pulpy fruit and zesty acidity meeting on the midpalate. Citrus, apple and a dash of green herbs comprise the flavor profile of this well-made Albariño.
93 points Michael Franz: Wine Review Online: “Despite having made multiple trips to Rias Baixas, I’ve never enjoyed the opportunity to visit this bodega in order to learn how such exemplary consistency is achieved across the various releases from Adegas Gran Vinum every year — or how they worked up the nerve to give a wine this name. In any case, this is awesome juice that makes the name seem somewhat less audacious, with significantly more richness, depth of flavor and persistency of finish than the other new 2021 releases. As the wine warms and opens in the glass, it reveals a hint of tropical fruits alongside the core of pitted fruits (reminiscent of nectarines and apricots). The factor of serving temperature is worth revisiting, as this wine definitely gets better as it warms, whereas showing wines cold to cover flaws is a very old sales trick. No tricks needed here, and no flaws, either. This would be a killer pairing for shellfish, but more broadly, also for almost any seafood dish not involving a tomato sauce. Substantial but refreshing, this is already terrific but destined for another few years of improvement. 93 points.” –Michael Franz, Wine Review Online, Feb 15, 2022
Food pairing: A great choice for mussels and fries, raw fish, oysters or a terrine of whitefish, or mackerel poached in wine. Crab or scallops would love it. Or softshell crab with capers, lemon, and brown butter.
The Domain: Piñeiro Cores family has grown vineyards for generations. They first cultivated small vineyards and gradually reorganized and replaced the original grape variety with Albarino’s grapes. Slowly but also with persistence, their grandparents continued growing Albarino grapes on small plots of land across the Rias Baixas region. Adegas Gran Vinum was created in 2002 to continue the family-style.
Their winery produces Albarino wines which are included in the D.O. Rias Baixas.
The region defines the culture of Adegas Gran Vinum. The vineyards’ exceptional location, on hillsides overlooking the river Umia and the Ría de Arosa, near Cambados in the Pontevedra province, Galicia (Spain).
Geology, topography and climate are certainly central to a successful winery venture; these elements greatly influence the flavor and texture of their acclaimed wines. But the quality and character of Bodegas Gran Vinum have a secret: the taste for performance and respect for the terroir and environment.
Winemaker, Enrique Piñeiro grows his own vineyards and makes wine with an expert and highly qualified team. His daughter, Andrea Piñeiro, is now part of the team and continues the family and the Adegas Gran Vinum philosophy.
