Pazo de Arribi Bierzo Godello 2008

Pazo de Arribi is no ordinary winery, nor is Godello a typical grape, which makes for one tasty, out of the ordinary wine experience. For openers, the 2008 Pazo de Arribi makes a splendid first impression. It opens with an amplifying aroma of fresh summer fruits: scents of fig, melon and pear well from the depths of this wine to tantalize the nose. Moreover, the Pazo d’Arribi Godello continues to work its magic on the palate, where it offers clean, persistent, complex flavors along with a dollop of pure fresh fruit. Fresh and lively on the finish the Pazo de Arribi Godello ends pleasantly dry and leaves the thirsty gullet pleading for another sip. We suggest moderate chilling (40º-45º F) for maximum enjoyment.

The 2008 Pazo de Arribi Godello is an ebullient, charming wine in its own right. As an aperitif, it offers a welcome change from Chardonnay or even Sauvignon Blanc. Nevertheless, it positively shines in the company of rich, spicy appetizers, delicately prepared seafood salads, and a host of Galician specialties. Galician paella is a perennial favorite: it is prepared with hake, octopus, and plenty of shellfish. Lightly fried calamari and sautéed oysters are some of our other suggested pairings with Godello. Fish or chicken tacos offer tasty, easy to prepare accompaniments, too. Yet, we suggest you not overlook Asian stir fries such as Thai Chicken and Basil or even lightly curried dishes with Pazo de Arribi’s cheerful, flavorful Godello. Buen Provecho!

Pazo de Arribi is a new wine venture with vineyards in the ancient province of Galicia. It is a collaborative effort between Bodegas Adriá and Classical Wines of Spain. Bodegas Adriá was established in 2002 with a local Bierzo family, renowned for several generations for their expert winemaking skills with traditional Galician varietals. Located in the Bierzo DO (Denominación de Origen), Pazo de Arribi specializes in the production of the region’s two premium grape varieties: Godello and Mencia. Pazo de Arribi highlights the finest attributes of Bierzo and the desire to consistently produce excellent, traditional wines in the region’s cool climate. From Pazo de Arribi, one can count on aromatic, hauntingly beautiful Godello from estate grown fruit as well as full-bodied, richly textured Mencia from old vines. From our tasting experience and the favorable critical acclaim Pazo de Arribi’s wines are currently receiving, it is evident that the winery’s prescribed goal has already been realized. In just a few short years Pazo de Arribi has helped Bierzo claim its rightful place among Spanish DO’s. Moreover, Pazo de Arribi has graced us with a set of very special wines that are both fun and interesting to drink. Godello Godello is a high quality white grape varietal indigenous to Galicia, Spain’s cool, windswept province astride the Atlantic. A highly aromatic grape, Godello is enjoying renewed interest from wine lovers in Spain and abroad. New plantings and high critical acclaim have recently brought this heretofore obscure varietal into the limelight. Godello grows especially well in the Bierzo and Valdeorras DO’s of northwest Spain.