The sandy soils found in Val do Salnés, near the Atlantic, give Areas de Montalvo 2019 its distinctive character. This is a dry white wine, Albariño, produced in Galicia and vinified by Raúl Pérez. The wine was fermented and aged in barrels for a full year without stirring or racking, allowing the lees ample time to settle naturally. This approach has resulted in a wine that is entirely different from the fresh, tank-aged Albariño that many people are familiar with from Rías Baixas. While the palate is richer, the acidity is clearly there.
And 2019 proved to be a particularly favorable year. The harvest in Rías Baixas began on the 28th of August and continued until mid-October. The growers harvested the grapes sequentially as they ripened in each plot. Yields were low, which typically indicates high concentration. Galician winemakers praised this vintage for its higher-than-usual acidity, noting that it was well-balanced rather than sharp.
The concept of creating a wine called Areas de Montalvo had already taken shape in 1997, but the first vintage, the 2017, finally made its debut after a five-year wait. Patience is an essential element of this wine. It is best enjoyed by 2038.
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