July’s Superstar Wine of the Month
July has arrived!
Off on holiday already? Or just counting down the days to go? Whichever the case, you’ll think you are already there with this lovely Spanish wine that lifts your tastebuds as well as your mood.
Itsas Mendi n°7 2009 is possibly the finest wine from the Itsas Mendi winery in the Basque region of North-Eastern Spain. The actual delimited region is called Bizkaino Txakoli (have a few glasses and say that more than once!), the gorgeous green hills near the Bizkaia Gulf.
A considerable percentage of the grapes used for this wine are the indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri, added to approximately 20% Riesling. This gives an intense bright yellow colour and aromatic notes of grapefruit, fresh herbs and orange blossom, – as you might expect from the Riesling variety.
Left in contact with the lees – or yeasts used to make wine, for several months during maturation, the wine also has a warmer, toasty note to it, making suitable to drink on its own or with food. The palate is fresh and smooth with some mineral notes balanced nicely with a hint of stone fruit and a little spice on the length.
Could it improve with age? Of course! But can you wait? No way. Drink it now, with shellfish risotto sautéed mussels or a simple salad.
Available in the best wine shops or on line at:
Approx. £16 – 22 per bottle