GG_N44_COMPLET_ITA

SPAIN-PORTUGAL
– GRAPES –
of nature, people and family are its guiding values. Its
wines reflect this passion for wine and respect for the
terroir, irrespective of whether they are made from
Alvarinho grapes or in other regions where it also makes
wine.
Here, Alvarinho vineyards are planted differently to their
counterparts in Spain. “In our vineyards (in Aveleda),
we have a vertical conduction system, in contrast to the
majority of Albariño vineyard management in Spain,
which uses a rebounding conduction system.”
RECTORAL DO UMIA (RÍAS BAIXAS D.O. –
SPAIN) – TERROIR TRANSLATED INTO WINE
This winery is part of the Bodegas Gallegas Group which
produces wine in various designations of origin across
the region. It is the second most important winery in the
group for production of Albariño.
Its philosophy is to “make the wine convey the characteristics
of the terroir and the winery’s microclimate, without altering
its identity. We have moved away from standardization
because we are looking for our own profile of wines which
the consumer is able to identify as wine by Rectoral do
Umia. We make wines of extremely high quality at very
competitive prices.” According to the winemaker, what
distinguishes Albariño from Alvarinho “are two factors:
the aspect and configuration of the plots; and the different
kinds of soil where the vines are cultivated.”
Production totals around 2 million bottles with more or
less half earmarked for export (52%) and the other half
for the home market (48%). The winery has a presence
on 5 continents, and some of its main markets include
the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, South
Korea, Japan, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Switzerland.
Harvest time at Bodega Rectoral de Umia
PABLO PADÍN (RÍAS BAIXAS D.O. – SPAIN) –
RESPECT FOR TRADITION AND PROVENANCE
Pablo Padin is a family-run winery which focuses on
making and marketing still and sparkling wines from
Albariño. The venture started in 1984 as a small family
project which grew through technological improvements,
modernization of infrastructure and experience, accrued
over the years. The result is substantial prestige both
nationally and internationally.
In 2012, the winery pioneered production of the
first sparkling Albariño wines under the Rías Baixas
Jorge Hervella, the winemaker at Bodegas Pablo Padín
SUMMER 2021 GILBERT & GAILLARD - THE FRENCH EXPERTS ON WINE 65