Granbazán 'Etiqueta Verde' Albariño, Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Spain 2024
Founded in 1981 by the Otero family under the name "Agro de Bazán," Granbazán was a pioneer in DO Rías Baixas, introducing innovative techniques such as cold-soaking grapes to extract more aromas and barrel aging. The original quality pioneer in the region, Granbazán was the first estate to invest in modern winemaking equipment and trained enologists, the first to use clean free-run juice and cool fermentation, and to realize the world-class potential of the Albariño grape. In 2017 the winery was acquired by the group which also owns Bodegas Baigorri in Rioja. Today the estate is regarded as one of the benchmark producers of the entire appellation.
- WINEMAKER: Diego Ríos. Named Young Winemaker of the Year in Tim Atkin MW's first in-depth Rías Baixas report, Ríos has brought renewed focus to Granbazán since taking over winemaking responsibilities. Ríos applies experience gained in Germany's Mosel to craft aromatic, acid-driven Albariño wines.
- FARMING: Vines are trained in the traditional pergola (pérgola gallega) fashion. Granbazán collaborates with around 80 families dedicated to viticulture in the areas of Cambados, Vilanova, and Meaño — the heart of the Salnés Valley — drawing from more than 100 microplots.
- VARIETY: 100% Albariño
- TERROIR: Val do Salnés is the site of the oldest Albariño plantations and the coldest and wettest of the five Rías Baixas sub-regions, centered around the town of Cambados. Etiqueta Verde draws on a 90/10 blend of grapes from Val do Salnés and Ribeira do Ulla. Soils are based on granite bedrock with alluvial topsoil. Average annual temperature in the sub-region is 55°F and rarely exceeds 85°F even in summer. Vines average 35+ years of age.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are destemmed and undergo cold maceration for 6 to 8 hours. Controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 15–17°C with indigenous yeasts. Etiqueta Verde is made with a combination of free-run juice and lightly macerated juice.
- AGING: Rested on fine lees without bâtonnage, bottled 4 to 5 months after fermentation
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TASTING NOTES: A classic, iconic Salnés Valley style Albariño — dry, very floral, with sea-sprayed, crisp acidity. Racy, chiselled, and well balanced, eschewing stone fruit sweetness in favour of a lime and citrus palate complemented by a dry, stony finish
FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters and shellfish, grilled branzino, seafood ceviche, salt cod dishes, light charcuterie, fresh goat cheese.
Granbazán 'Etiqueta Verde' Albariño, Val do Salnés, Rías Baixas, Spain 2024
Founded in 1981 by the Otero family under the name "Agro de Bazán," Granbazán was a pioneer in DO Rías Baixas, introducing innovative techniques such as cold-soaking grapes to extract more aromas and barrel aging. The original quality pioneer in the region, Granbazán was the first estate to invest in modern winemaking equipment and trained enologists, the first to use clean free-run juice and cool fermentation, and to realize the world-class potential of the Albariño grape. In 2017 the winery was acquired by the group which also owns Bodegas Baigorri in Rioja. Today the estate is regarded as one of the benchmark producers of the entire appellation.
- WINEMAKER: Diego Ríos. Named Young Winemaker of the Year in Tim Atkin MW's first in-depth Rías Baixas report, Ríos has brought renewed focus to Granbazán since taking over winemaking responsibilities. Ríos applies experience gained in Germany's Mosel to craft aromatic, acid-driven Albariño wines.
- FARMING: Vines are trained in the traditional pergola (pérgola gallega) fashion. Granbazán collaborates with around 80 families dedicated to viticulture in the areas of Cambados, Vilanova, and Meaño — the heart of the Salnés Valley — drawing from more than 100 microplots.
- VARIETY: 100% Albariño
- TERROIR: Val do Salnés is the site of the oldest Albariño plantations and the coldest and wettest of the five Rías Baixas sub-regions, centered around the town of Cambados. Etiqueta Verde draws on a 90/10 blend of grapes from Val do Salnés and Ribeira do Ulla. Soils are based on granite bedrock with alluvial topsoil. Average annual temperature in the sub-region is 55°F and rarely exceeds 85°F even in summer. Vines average 35+ years of age.
- VINIFICATION: Grapes are destemmed and undergo cold maceration for 6 to 8 hours. Controlled fermentation in stainless steel tanks at 15–17°C with indigenous yeasts. Etiqueta Verde is made with a combination of free-run juice and lightly macerated juice.
- AGING: Rested on fine lees without bâtonnage, bottled 4 to 5 months after fermentation
-
TASTING NOTES: A classic, iconic Salnés Valley style Albariño — dry, very floral, with sea-sprayed, crisp acidity. Racy, chiselled, and well balanced, eschewing stone fruit sweetness in favour of a lime and citrus palate complemented by a dry, stony finish
FOOD PAIRINGS: Oysters and shellfish, grilled branzino, seafood ceviche, salt cod dishes, light charcuterie, fresh goat cheese.