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Grochau Cellars 2021 Albariño
Loire Valley inspiration...
For John Grochau, making great wine is all about getting out of the way. As he says, “it’s simple really – don’t screw it up. Resist the urge to do too much.”
By that, Grochau means that he avoids the manhandling that some winemakers do – special enzymes, oak bombs, fussing around with technology.
And as a result, Grochau Cellars has become known for wines that are delicate, subtle, and a pure expression of the grapes and the terroir. Or as one wine writer put it, “he’s a purist winemaker interested in finesse, nuance, and what can admiringly be called a certain tenderness.”
So, how did we get here?
In his restless 20s, John spent years racing bicycles with a French cycling team. Up and down the hills of the Loire Valley, John soon discovered a love for the local wines. Even now, the Loire Valley serves as his inspiration in winemaking, with fresh, crisp flavors and fruitiness.
Cellar 503 Tasting Notes
Grochau Cellars, Amity, Oregon
2021 Albariño
It is rare to find Albariño outside of northwest Spain and Portugal, where you can find vines that are over 300 years old — some of the oldest in the world!
Oregon is beginning to make a name for itself with Albariño, although most of the grapes are grown in Southern Oregon as a nice white wine complement to a red Spanish varietal, Tempranillo.
This Albariño is from young vines in the Columbia Gorge which shows through in the freshness of the wine. As the vines age, the grapes will continue to evolve and show more character. The wine was fermented in both acacia wood, imparting a floral quality — and stainless steel, which helps capture the freshness and high acid. Then, it was aged on lees for six months before going to tank for bottling.
The nose is full of stone fruits like apricot and plum, the palate is rich and structured with great acid. Try this wine with fish tacos, ceviche, soft cheeses like burrata, or semi-hard cheeses such as manchego, gouda or feta.
A Cellar 503 selection in September 2022, Unusual Varietals Columbia Valley | Albariño
