Tried these two last night w/ my pesto-stuffed/maple-mustard glazed pork chops:
1. Grego Malvar White DdO: Vinos de Madrid (12%) 2005: Med.yellow color; lightly floral/mango slight earthy/steely some Rolle-like nose; soft some flat/dull mango/floral light earthy flavor; short soft/flat light mango/floral/pineapply light earthy finish; pleasant/simple if somewhat dull white. $16.00
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2. Auratus Alvarinho Trajadura Vinho Regional Minho (12%) 2004: Med.gold color; slightly nutty/oxidized lovely floral/perfumed almost Malvasia/TocaiFriuliano some complex nose; tart lightly nutty/oxidized floral/perfumed some Tocai bit metallic fairly rich flavor; very long floral/citrusy slight nutty/oxidized very attractive finish; bit like an older Viognier, bit like a Tocai; probably would be rejected by some tasters because of the slightly aged character and not have the zippy freshness that Albarino is "supposed" to have, but it was a delicious/interesting wine that stood up to the pig parts and said "oink". $16.00
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And a wee BloodyPulpit:
1. Malvar: The grape in the Grego is the Malvar variety. New one for me. Jancis compares the wines to those made from Airen, the most widely planted grape in the world and used for much of the Spanish brandies. Gawd forbid I ever try an Airen. Based on this data point of one, I hearby declare Malvar a grape variety that has no redeeming features. End of discussion.
Tom