<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" href="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wpid-Photo-Apr-6-2013-1704.jpg" target="_blank"><img class="alignleft" id="blogsy-1365285231765.984" alt="Goliardo Espadeiro Spanish wine" src="http://planetavino.net/newsite/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/wpid-Photo-Apr-6-2013-1704.jpg" width="220" height="280" /></a></div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">This is a grape variety you have probably never tried! Espadeiro, an almost extinct Galician varietal being revived slightly by a few dedicated producers. This area of Galicia, Rias Baixas, is most known for its white wines from the Albariño grape, but Bodegas Forjas del Salnés is gaining most fame for its intense, nervy reds from local varieties under the appealing moniker of "Tintos del Mar" or "Reds from the Sea." The whole line is very impressive and the Espadeiro is no exception. This is a cool-climate red, lighter in alcohol, high in acidity, earthy , yet at the same time very aromatic. Perhaps not what you'd expect from Spanish wine, but these wines are part of a new wave of lighter, terroir-driven reds, produced by young enologists determined to break free from the recent commercial trends.</p>
<!--more-->
<p style="text-align: justify;">When I say recent commercial trends, I mean the big, bold reds that have become the mainstay of Spanish reds, even in Rioja, which was once known for a lighter, more delicate expression of Tempranillo.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Bodega Forjas del Salnés is a family-run winery and it's winemaker Rodrigo Méndez has paired up with wine superstar enologist Raúl Pérez to make the wines. Pérez has becomes famous for making tiny amounts of incredible Mencía and Godello wine in his home area of Bierzo as well as doing a lot of consulting work with small wineries around northwestern Spain.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The basic Leirana Albariño is excellent and excellent value at about 12€, and the other specialty whites are quite unique.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">But it's the reds that have me hypnotized. Who knew that these red varietals of the northwest had such potential. There are quite a few great producers out there making just spectacular wines. They are so original, so unlike anything else in Spain. So refresh to drink alone and so food friendly. Low in alcohol, they are also great in summer.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">They can be a shock to some consumers, especially the Spanish themselves...they are often lacking that sweet approachability and easiness that has endeared so many to the Spanish mainstream wines. They can have a bit of a hard mineral edge...but if you let them open up a little to bring out the elegant fruit aromas and serve them with food...you can win. People over quite quickly!</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Espadeiro, which has 12 months aging in used oak barrels, has lovely cherry and cranberry fruit with nice smoky minerality and some nice balsamic notes. It was a it closed at first and really gained in intensity in the glass. The fruit in mouth was more round than expected though kept in check by a bracing acidity and minerality. Very long finish with smooth tannins. Such big contrasts but they all seemed to work together.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">I had the wine with some amazing croquetas of various types at the Mercado de San Antón in Madrid. I usually recommend a white or cava with croquetas but this red was perfect with them...the creaminess was such a perfect contrast to the wine and the red was light enough to support the food, not overwhelmed it.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">These wines are not inexpensive due to small production...in Spain this wine retails for about 25-30€. What's amazing is that I consumed in with the croquetas at the bar also for 30€! Spain restaurant wine pricing we love you! Here in the US, I see the Espadeiro retail at 60 dollars or so...ouch! The other Tintos del Mar are around that price as well. They are so unique and different that if you have the pennies, it is well worth the money.</p>
&nbsp;