Galiza: a seminar focusing on the wines of Galicia, Spain
For the 2026 edition of Simplesmente Vinho the guest region was Galiza (Galicia) in Spain, and there were nine visiting producers from here. As well as this, there was a special seminar focusing on the wines of Galiza, hosted by Miguel Anxo Besada (of restaurant A Curva) and Antonio Portela. These were the wines shown. It was a brilliant tasting, showing the potential of this part of Spain, as well as its diversity.
There are five Galician appellations represented here: Ribeiro, Rías Baixas (the most famous), Ribeira Sacra, Valdeorras and Monterrei.
Luis Anzio Rodríguez Viña de Martin 2015 Ribeiro, Spain
Full golden colour. Complex toast, spice and lime on the nose. Lovely density on the palate with crystalline citrus and spice with honey and real depth. Such a beautiful wine. 96/100
Jose Luis Mateo Quinta da Muradella 2021 Monterrei, Spain
Taut, fine and slightly waxy with lovely textured pear fruit. Good acidity and nice complexity here. 94/100
Zarate El Palomar 2021 Rías Baixas, Spain
Subtle toast on the limey nose. Real intensity on the palate with vivid lemony fruit as well as some apricot. Really high acidity. Complex, intense and fine, this is quite beautiful in its lively intensity. Amazing complexity. 95/100
Rafael Palacios Sorte O Soro 2023 Valdeorras, Spain
Godello. Lively and crystalline with focused lemon and pear fruit as well as a crystalline edge. Grapefruit and some fine herbal notes on the finish. So delicately nuanced with beautiful fruit. 95/100
Gerrardò Mendez Do Ferreiro Cepas Velhas 2021 Rías Baixas, Spain (magnum)
Reductive with some minerals and cabbage quality. The palate is lively, fresh, mineral and layered with more of the cabbage qualities coming through. 92/100
Bodegas Albamar 69 Arrobas 2021 Rías Baixas, Spain
Albariño. Real power and intensity here with direct lemony fruit with some apricot richness but it always stays chiselled and fresh. Such purity and intensity here. Linear and really fine. 95/100
Adega Algueira Algueira 2009 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
This is Merenzao. Beginning to brown a bit. Malt spice and earth on the nose as well as stewed strawberries. Soft palate with some sweet strawberry and cherry fruit finishing with some brightness. 90/100
Forjas del Salnés Goliardo Caiño 2011 Rías Baixas, Spain
Caiño Redondo. Some herby notes and vinyl reduction on the nose. The palate is fresh and tart with lively red cherry and raspberry fruit. Taut and focused, this must have been very tight on release. 92/100
Telmo Rodríguez As Caborcas 2019 Valdeorras, Spain
Mencía, Merenzao, Sousón, Brancellao, Godello. This is so intense! Floral red fruits but with lifted acidity and a spicy dimension on the nose. The palate is vivid and has high acidity with juicy redcurrant and sour cherry. Finishes with a meaty spicy character and a dash of Campari. 93/100
Adegas Guímaro Finca Capeliños 2020 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
Mencía. Peppery edge to the sweet floral strawberry and cherry fruit. The palate is textural with a spicy framing to the sweet fruit, as well as a touch of savouriness. 94/100
Envínate Lousas Camiño Novo 2021 Ribeira Sacra, Spain
Mencía and Garnacha Tintorera. Floral but with a grainy, savoury twist showing lovely structure and energy with raspberry, cherry and minerals, supported by good acidity. Real precision here, but also some depth. 95/100
