This month's Case of the Month was inspired by the wines of Iberia.
Iberia wines are known for their rich and diverse flavors, influenced by the Iberian Peninsula's unique terroir and winemaking traditions. This month, we've curated 12 exquisite wines, from whites to reds to a lovely sparkling rosé. You will definitely want to stop by and pick up this excellent September Iberia-inspired Case of the Month!
Case of the Month Highlights
Filipa Pato and William Wouters "3b" Sparkling Rosé
The name of this Portuguese extra brut, "3B," refers to the two grapes used—Baga and Bical—and the region it comes from, Bairrada. Filipa and her husband, William, exclusively use grapes native to the area, native yeasts and biodynamic practices.
They combine these ingredients and techniques, learned from working in wine harvests around the world, to create what they call wines "without makeup." Baga is a grape indigenous to this part of Portugal. Its thick skins can make it challenging to work with, leading to overly astringent red wines. However, Baga can shine in sparkling wines!
This "3B" is a champagne-style sparkling wine with little to no sugar added during bottling. 84% of the fruit used in this wine is Baga, and the thick skins give the wine a stunning, almost fuchsia color. It has a bright fruit palate, but the finish is dry and toasty with creamy bubbles. It's a vibrant and sophisticated representation of this region.
Ameztoi Getariako Txakolina
Ameztoi is a family in the Basque region known for producing traditional Txakolina. This wine is a low-alcohol, high-acid, lightly sparkling white wine made from the indigenous grape Hondarrabi Zuri (Hondarrabi Beltza is also permitted, but Ameztoi only uses Zuri). The family's winery in Getaria overlooks the Bay of Biscay, offering a stunning view of the town of San Sebastian from the surrounding cliffs. This crisp and refreshing wine is best enjoyed on hot days, with its flavors reminiscent of the salty sea air and rich history of the Basque region. It's often compared to a Basque Vinho Verde. Pair it with cheese or shellfish, or savor it as an aperitif on a warm day.
Ameztoi, a family in the Basque region, is known for producing traditional Txakolina, a low-alcohol, high-acid, lightly sparkling white wine made from the indigenous grape Hondarrabi Zuri. The wine offers a taste of the region's history and is perfect for hot days. Pair it with cheese or shellfish, or enjoy it as an aperitif.
La Cartuja Priorat, 2021
The term "Llicorella" on this label refers to the Catalan term for the soil type in the Priorat region. Llicorella soil is not typical soil; it is composed of large pieces of slate mixed with smaller pieces of mica quartz, making it very rocky.
The reddish-black slate pieces are a mix of clay and volcanic ash, compressed and eroded over many years. Contrary to what one might expect, poor-quality but well-draining soil is highly valued for growing grapes used in winemaking, similar to the Rocks District in Eastern Oregon.
The Llicorella soils of Priorat are known for growing renowned Garnacha, among other indigenous grapes, to produce complex and mineral-driven red wines. "La Cartuja" is a single-vineyard Priorat made from 70% Garnacha and 30% Mazuelo (Cariñena). It offers high-mineral, low-acid, and blue fruit notes and pairs well with beef, mushrooms, or Chinese food.
Pago Casa Gran 2021 Malvasia
This Spanish white wine embodies "terroir" down to the Iberian script on the label, which is an homage to the ancient Iberian settlement site near the winery southwest of Valencia.
Located at the base of a mountain in the historic "Les Alcusses" valley, vineyard sites of indigenous Malvasia grapes experience a massive range of temperatures under the strong Spanish sun. These conditions allow the fruit to ripen while retaining complexity, lending themselves to tropical citrus and earthy notes in this fresh but compelling wine.
Pago Casa Gran has been 100% organic since 2006 and uses some biodynamic practices. This wine is made using native yeasts.