Holy Malbec

I say Holy, not in religious terms, but as a figure of speech, like Holy Cow! Because this grape is crazy popular right now and for a good reason. Many people are drinking South American Malbec and are loving it. What they don’t know interestingly enough is that it is a French grape often used as a blend in Bordeaux and as a single variety in Cahors, France where it is often referred to as Cot. But, our focus is the yummy Malbec being made in South America, particularly Mendoza, Argentina.
Mendoza is the largest wine producing area in Argentina composing of over 80% of the country’s total wine production. The sweet spots for Malbec production in Mendoza are in the central valley which include Maipo, Lujon de Cujo and Lunluta.  Here,  certain vineyards have some of the oldest Malbec vines, which produce juice with distinction, complexity and high quality. As top wine vintners focus on Malbec, they are discovering Mendoza’s terroir characteristics and how they influence different Malbec personalities. Some can be very spicy, simply fruity, robust, round and juicy. If you have not tried Malbec and you tend to enjoy Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. this would be a nice, new change.

Godello (Go-Day-Yo)

Godello is the popular Spanish white grape of Galicia. Galicia is located on Spain’s northwest corner where in the past it wasn’t the king of the prom. This has nothing to do with the grape’s characteristics and style, but its delicateness and finicky behavior. Godello is prone to molds and pests, which makes it difficult to cultivate and in return needs more care and attention. It was nearly wiped out during the Phylloxera outbreak in the 1870’s. Phylloxera is a root feeding pest that nearly destroyed the European wine industry.

Over the next hundred years, Godello was nearly extinct until a few prideful, Galician wine growers, dedicated to keeping Spanish wine history, cultivated the vine and took over the abandoned Godello vineyards. Now, this grape is becoming increasingly popular due to its nice full body, aromatic bouquet, apple, pear and pineapple flavors, and subtle elegance. With age, it can exhibit nuts and mineral. Godello thrives in Galicia and especially the warm climates of Bierzo and Valdeorras. There, it is the perfect accompaniment to the local seafood. This is a great wine for those that prefer Chardonnay. Good values for this wine sometimes are hard to come by due its low production levels, but they are out there.