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D.O. Rias Baixas



Castel de Bouza Albariño


The Wine
Produced from 100% Albariño, Galicia's rising star, this clean, fresh wine explodes from the glass with intense white fruit and floral aromas. Flavors of white peach, apricot and citrus mingle with hints of minerals and honey. In the vineyard low crop yields and optimum ripeness levels are the norm. The grapes used in Castel de Bouza are selected from the vineyard's best plots, gently destemmed, pressed, and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Half of the wine is allowed to go through malolactic fermentation in order to impart a hint of silky richness. Fruit driven yet dry with mouthwatering, juicy acidity, Castel de Bouza is a heavenly match with shellfish, but in absence of a local scallop monger, try it with anything, especially good friends and family.



The Bodega & The Land


Involved in winemaking since 1983, Bouza do Rei and its 200 acres of albariño vines are located in Ribadumia, in the heart of the Salnés Valley, argueably the most important (by quality standards) sub-region in the D.O. Rias Baixas. Here in Spain's Green Country, receiving about 60 inches of rainfall a year, everpresent mists roll in from the Atlantic up the river valleys. In this unusual grape-growing climate the biggest problems are rot and the mild climate, which can prevent grapes from ripening fully. For this reason all the vines are trained on wires run between 6-foot-tall granite posts, which increases the vines' exposure to the sun as well as air circulation, helping to prevent rot and facilitate proper ripening. Planted in the acidic, sandy soils over a bedrock of granite and slate, the vines produce low yields of thick skinned grapes (which also help to prevent rot.)



Galicia is a land of mystery, shrouded in the mists and myths of the druids. Equally mysterious is the origin of the abariño grape. As of yet, no one has conclusively pinned down its source. Some experts believe monks brought it there in the 12th century from northern Europe or it could be indigenous. A few even believe that it is related to the Riesling grape because of a similar character profile. The wines, often compared to Alsace Riesling or viognier, are a pale straw color and offer flavors of apple, pear, melon and citrus, and are steely and mineral. They also can be very high in acid, which has to be carefully controlled or it can overpower the wine. For this reason in making Castel de Bouza some batches of the fermenting wine are allowed to go through malolactic fermentation before a final blending.












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