An unoaked blend of Macabeu and Garnatxa Blanca, this is a bargain, with real focus and minerality from a combination of granite and slate soils. Zesty and refreshing with honeysuckle and citrus fruit notes and a long, tapering finish.
Country: Spain
2012 Cartesius, Arché Pagès, EmpordÃ
( €12, 14% )Rich, oxidative style Garnatxa Blanca with masses of flavour and concentration: savoury, spicy and rich with well-integrated oak, tangy acidity and thick, powerful flavours. Emporda’s answer to Meursault.
2012 Mallolet, Roig Parals, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €7, 13.5% )There’s a touch of Muscat in the blend of Macabeu and Garnatxa Blanca here, adding a floral, grapey top note to the wine’s minerally, almost saline core. Fresh and floral with flavours of pink grapefruit and wild herbs.
2012 Blanc dels Aspres, Vinyes dels Aspres, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €12, 14.5% )Old vine Garnatxa Blanca from one of the top three producers in Emporda, this is a delicious white: savoury, fresh and well balanced with notes of vanilla and cinnamon, bright, spicy fruit, lovely texture and amazing concentration. (see last year)
2012 Magenc, Cellers d’en Guilla, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €7.50, 13.5% )A small volume blend of classic local grapes from a budding new producer. The aromas and flavours are highly individual here – wet stone and a bone dry, almost salty note – with crisp, tangy acidity and a long finish. Zesty and mouth-watering, this is a white with texture and concentration.
2012 Verd Albera, Martà Fabra, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €6.50, 13% )A crowd pleasing white, combining Garnatxa Blanca with a touch of Muscat, this is aromatic and floral, with flavours of honey and baking spices, some pear and crisp, balancing acidity.
2012 Sà tirs, Arché Pagès, Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €6.50, 13.5% )A varietal Macabeu from one of the top young producers in the region. Concentrated and flavoursome with plenty of texture, notes of honeysuckle and pear and a touch of vanilla spice, despite the absence of oak. Great value.
2011 Flor d’Albera, Martà Fabra, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €10, 13% )An unusual, barrel-fermented Muscat from Joan Fabra that isn’t overwhelmed by splinters. Soft and grapey, with hints of honey and white flowers and a hint of bitterness.
2012 Mestral, Can Sais, Baix Emporda, EmpordÃ
( €8, 13.5% )From the flatter, clay rich soils of the lower Emporda region, this is a blend of Malvasia, Xarel-lo, Garnatxa Blanca and Macabeu. Richer in colour with some tannin and grip, this is almost bitter sweet, with honeyed notes and a dry finish. Needs rich food to show at its best.
Masia Carreras Blanc, Martà Fabra, Empordà , EmpordÃ
( €13, 14% )A vineyard-based, barrel-fermented blend of Picapoll, Cariñena Blanca and Garnatxa Blanca. Rich and honeyed, with vanilla spice, fresh acidity and a savoury tang, underpinned by impressive concentration.
NV Tesco Cava Reserva NV, Penedès
( £6.99 down to £5.24, 11.5%, Tesco )A traditional Cava blend (with no sign of international Chardonnay or Pinot Noir), this bottle-fermented and aged fizz is on the dry side, with crisp acidity, a hint of earthiness (more pleasant than it sounds, believe me) and a tangy, lightly toasty finish. Great party fizz.
2011 Finest* Albariño, RÃas Baixas
( £7.99 down to £5.99, 12.5%, Tesco )It’s a reflection of how Albariño, one of Spain’s best white grapes, has entered the UK mainstream that the major supermarkets nearly all have own-label examples these days. This is from the ever-dependable Martin Codax, and it’s a classy example of the style, showing some spritz, floral aromas, tangy acidity and notes of citrus and honeysuckle. Very quaffable.