Capricho Val de Paxariñas, a great white from Bierzo
Posted on July 8th, 2008
Saved in Sour Grapes recommends, White wine, Wine, €15-€20
There’s something in the water (or wine) in Spain
A very impressive Euro championship victory followed in quick succession by Nadal’s Wimbledon win, and now this Capricho Val de Paxariñas. Great things coming out of Spain at the moment.
Bit of background to the Capricho Val de Paxariñas
The Capricho Val de Paxariñas is a gorgeous white from Bierzo, in Castilla y León, northwest Spain. The winemaker is Gines Fernandez, maker of the revered red, Xestal.
The grapes
It’s made from Godello (75%) and Doña Blanca (25%) – both grapes I’d never heard of and more reason to step away from the common and safe Sauvignon blancs, Chadonnays and Pinot Grigios we know and love (or hate).
Godello: a Galician native
The Godello grape is very aromatic and a native to Galicia – the provence next door. It is the predominant grape for white wine in the Valdeorras and Bierzo areas.
Doña Blanca: three labels, one grape
The Doña Blanca grape is also known as Moza Fresca and Valenciana. There is surprising little on this grape in the books I have or on the Internets – even the all-knowing Wikipedia throws a blanc on it.
Grape synonyms in Spain & elsewhere
On a bit of a tangent, grape synonyms are quite common in Spain. The Sancius Ribera del Duero I did an about-turn on this week is made from Tinta del País, which goes by Tempranillo in other parts.
Other examples from France are Malbec being referred to as Côt or Auxerrois in Cahors and elsewhere Durif is also known as Petite Sirah – more wine facts to either bore or confuse us.
Anyway, you get the picture, back to the main event, this Galician white, the Capricho Val de Paxariñas
How did this “Capricho de Val Paxariñas” white taste?
To sum up, it was very like my missus, drop dead gorgeous – my white of the summer (so far).
- Smell: Lemon, apples and melted butter
- Taste: Pears, slight hint of ginger and a good balanced acidity. Seriously long lasting – we’re talking minutes here.
- Had with: Herb encrusted plaice & oven cooked chips
- Price: Around €17 from Enowine or online from spanishwines.ie
Never tried that DO’s white: I might drop by the shop on the way home!
The best red Bierzo I’ve tried so far (sorry for the Xestal): Petalos
http://www.polanerselections.com/portfolio.php?pID=1258&prodID=801
Haven’t seen it in Dublin yet, though
Lar,
Nice note, looks like an interesting wine.
Belen,
The Petalos Bierzo can be found at O’Briens Off Licence for €20
I’m a great fan of Godello; glad you have discovered it too!
This wine sounds great. Although I haven’t tried it yet, I’ll be sure to keep my eye open! Thank you for the suggestion.
Just a sidenote, however, DO Bierzo is technically in the political province of Castilla y León even though many of their vineyards are right on the border of Galicia. Here is a great little map DO Bierzo provides on their website to illustrate the the location of the DO: http://www.crdobierzo.es/images/bodegas/mapabodegas.html.
Thanks Gabriella,
my mistake – and thanks a mill for pointing it out.
Lar
Today’s Irish times magazine wine piece starts in a similar fashion to this post and also covers this wine. We saw it here first!
That Capricho white can bought at Eno Wine in the IFSC for €17.50, they’re also serving it by the glass for the next few weeks. Great wine!
what a great white wine !!!!!!!! just drunk this 2007 white. Ooooooh my God !!!