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The 3 A’s

Bodegas Antonio Montero
Colleita 2020
Ribeiro DO
Palomino 60%, Treixadura 40%
Sustainable, hand harvested, minimal intervention, native yeasts
Ourense, Spain
Family Winery/Winemakers

Pale yellow-green straw. Breathing in delightful pear and apple blossoms, honeysuckle, pears, mild apples, and you should see the smile on my face as I write this..there is a brief hint of pie with a smidge oregano that turns into fresh rained slate. Mmmmm…I’m betting this is going to be good! Sipping pears, again mild apple with a splash of lemon brightness, apricots, oregano, a little grass, and that good old slate is back.

Pairs with Cheez-It’s: crisp, bright and delicious

This is a tale of 3 A’s…grandfather, father, and son; and each one carries the family name, Antonio Montero. Ok, so y’all are going to laugh at me, but as the name  “Antonio Montero” kept bouncing around in my head, a quote from “The Princess Bride” kept popping up (it is the 35th anniversary). “Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die”. Yeah, I’m ridiculous but this is how my “box of squirrels” brain works, so back to the Antonios. Each generation imparted their touch. Grandfather: Antonio Montero Álvarez took the wine from “just for the family” to selling it to local bars and later outside of their own province. Father: A.M. Sobrino dubbed the winery Bodegas Antonio Montero and the indigenous varieties started winning awards. Finally the latest, Son: A.M. Pozo came on board and they made “Honor Roll of the best White Wines of Spain” and are now taking on the world. I just have one question for them, what happens if a following generation happens to be a girl…Antonia?

#wine #vin #vino #葡萄酒 #ワイン #winestagram #instawine #worldbyglass #cheezit #pairswithcheezits #theprincessbride #Palomino #Treixadura #Galicia #Ribeiro #Spain #naturalwine @soilairselection @docwineshop @docwinebar @VinosAntonioMontero @cheezit

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Four Generations of Hard Work and Passion

Abadía da Cova
A Fuga Viticultura de Montana 2018
Ribeira Sacra (DO)
O Saviñao Lugo Spain
Albariño 61%, Godello 21%, and Treixadura 18% 
Winemaker Nacho Álvarez

Super light straw color. Take a whiff and flowers like spring fruit blossoms appear, then melon, citrus, some smoke, and slate that’s just been rained on. First sip and this has much more depth than I expected. Next there’s melon, smoke, a little citrus, and lovely honeysuckle.

Pairs w Cheez-It’s: brings out a citrus zest zing

Adegas Moure and Abadía da Cova’s history starts back with a single man, Baldomero Moure Pérez. Born in 1892, he wanted more and left A Cova, Spain for Cuba. There he found employment with the railway and a way to save for his future. After his return to Galicia, he settled down with Carmen López Moure, and this led to pave a way toward wine. With her inheritance of land in A Cova and his savings, they continued to buy surrounding farmland, and then lay the foundations for their vineyards, the wines, and their spirits. Through the generations, the winery grew and refined their trade. Now it is the fourth generation (Paloma, José y Adrián) who continue the traditions and passions of the vines and grow forward. Also in 2018, they brought in the acclaimed winemaker Nacho Álvarez.

Before I start traveling, I have to comment on the beautiful and surreal label by the artist Annita Rivera (also know as Plástica). The haunting grape leaves stare back with their singular eyes, and a mini monkey hangs out with the grapes. The flower may be a camellia, but I’m no botanist. I’m also not much of a birder, and had to reach out a friend to see what the two central ones are. I’m told the white one is a Sandhill Crane and one darker one seems to be a Tricolored Heron that the artist took some liberties with. If anyone else has any input on our feathered friends…please let me know.

Let’s head to Lugo. Starting off with the Muralla Romana de Lugo which is a Unesco World Heritage site. These Roman walls are the only ones in the world that are left intact. From what I’m finding, the walls were constructed between 263 and 276 A.D. There is a tale that they were built to protect the “Sacred Forest of Augustus”. Either way, if it was to protect trees or a city from Germanic invaders, they are a beautiful piece of Spain’s history. Inside the walls you will find the Lugo Cathedral. It’s a mix of architectural styles, such as Baroque, Gothic, Neoclassical, and Romanesque. The images of the interior are truly glorious. The Chorus is filled with the incredibly detailed walnut woodwork by Francisco de Moure (17th century). Words do not do it justice, so please do click the link to view. Same goes for the main chapel which is an artwork overload to the senses, and contains paintings by José Terán and Corniellis de Holanda’s altarpiece. One more place I want to stop by is Parque de Rosalía de Castro which is named after the famous poet. Evidently her favorite flower was the camellia which is also the Galician official flower. Camellias were introduced to Galicia in the 1700s by Portuguese sailors, and they are now abundant through the region. Such a beautiful flower that also had another use for the sailors. As they learned from trade in China, the leaves can be dried to make a tea rich in vitamin C, which is perfect for sailors that are trying to ward off scurvy.

Lugo, you are a beautiful and history rich find. I’m so thrilled to have been introduced to you!

@docwineshop @docwinebarny @AbadiadaCova @artbyplastica @cheezits #annitarivera #cheezit #wine @worldbyglass #needmorewine #pairswithcheezits #Lugo #Spain #MurallaRomanadeLugo #RosalíadeCastro #camellias #Albariño #Godello #Treixadura