If you’re as sick of winter as I am, you’ll want to reflect on a summer alfresco meal, and maybe try an Albet I Noya 2013 XA Xarello that echoes a warm summer evening on your back deck, or favorite rural restaurant.
The Banfi Alle Mura was my featured wine that evening, but I have to mention the Spanish white wine because it increased the flavor of the veggies on the dish and reflected the summer sunshine, something we now desire.
Xarello is one of the three grapes that make up the vast majority of Spanish CAVA, the Spanish sparkling wine. Its citrus and mineral flavor goes with seafood, salads, and most vegetables. The “XA” comes from Organic Grapes and old vines. Its 13% alcohol is perfect. The grilled steak, butternut squash and asparagus dinner was a marriage made in heaven. The setting sunshine helped provide the ambiance. Today, the deck is covered with snow!
This simple Spanish white scored a 17 on the 20-point Dionysian Scale and proved itself a Silver Medal winner.
The Albet I Noya family are pioneers of organic viticulture in Spain. The old vine Xarello, spelled Xarel-lo on their labels, is the most indigenous white grape in the Penedes, the high altitude region of Northeastern Spain. Seek out this Xarello and sip it prior to the cold weather red wine you’re serving, and it will free your thoughts from all the snow. I’ll have more to say about the Banfi Alle Mura the next time I open one. In vino veritas.
joe
Can’t wait till some wonderful warm Milmay sunshine to open some of the Albet I Noya 2013 XA Xarello in my cellar and share them with you and Joann