Ancona's Guide to Godello - An Alternative To Chardonnay

Northwest Spain is known for delicious and refreshing Albarino, however, an up-and-coming star is the white wine made from the Godello grape in eastern Galicia's Valdeorras region and Castilla y Leon's Bierzo region.  Godello began to be revitalized in the 1980's and today is being compared to the great white wines of Burgundy.  Like the Chardonnay grape, Godello is versatile and has the capacity to reflect the land on which it is grown and the winemaker's techniques.  There is a clean, refreshing quality to the Bodegas Ruchel Godello yet a structured richness of fruit and minerals. It is smooth and round yet has the right amount of acidity to give lift and persistence. This wine and other Godello's are a great alternative to Chardonnay and a perfect wine as we transition to cooler weather.  ~Monica

Here are a few Godello's to explore:

2011 Telmo Valdeorras Gaba Do Xil Godello

2011 Bodegas Ruchel Godello

2010 Bodegas del Abad Dom Bueno Godello Bierzo