In the heart of the Salnés valley in the Rías Baixas, the Creixell family project continues, with a further 12 hectares of vineyard - the Pazo de Barrantes Estate - and a winery in its center that carries the Estate's name. The imposing 16th century manor house, the family home, shares the same values as the Rioja Estate and offers since its origins in 1991 the finest wines possible, while always maintaining true albariño character through the use of the latest technology. Pazo de Barrantes continues to consolidate itself as the leading, quality winery of the Rias Baixas.

Pazo Barrantes has a full nose with developed apricot and peachy notes mixed with ripe apple. It has a well-balanced palate; the acidity is crisp without being sharp. Fruits are soft and ripe with a dominant apricot character. The wine has excellent mouthfeel as well as noteworthy purity. It will evolve gracefully over the next years.

Key Vinification Aspects:
Harvesting by hand of the albariño grapes began Sept. 14. The grapes were taken to the winery in small cases. Once in the cellar, these grapes are first carefully and partially de-stemmed and then pressed in a low-pressure pneumatic press. This process helps extract the maximum aromatic potential from the grapes. The grape must is fermented in 16,500-liter temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for 30 to 40 days at 14º to 16º C. The fermentation takes place in the absence of the grape skins.    

By Carla Snow

Wine is actually about 90% water, with the rest being alcohol and organic chemicals, resulting from the fermentation process.  Some of these chemicals belong to the phenol family. They are called flavonoids. These flavanoids are responsible for several characteristics of wine including the color.  One organic chemical in particular, is called resveratrol. Mice who were injected with resveratrol not only experienced slower cancer tumor growth, but 98 percent fewer skin tumors.  In other research studies, resveratrol kept cells from turning cancerous and stopped the spread of malignancies. Resveratrol also blocked cell inflammation, which is linked to arthritis and other diseases. Resveratrol is found in the grape skins and is said to be the wonder ingredient.  Since red wine is fermented with its skins, more is found in red wine than white.

In addition to red grapes, Resveratrol [also known as Res] is found in mulberries, blueberries, raspberries, peanuts, muscat grapes, and many other fruits and nuts. Ounce for ounce peanuts have more than half the amount of resveratrol in red wine.

Researchers tested a variety of wines to determine which types have the highest levels of flavonoids. They concluded that Cabernet Sauvignon has the highest, followed closely by Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir. Merlots and zinfandels have fewer flavonoids.  They also found that white wine had significantly smaller amounts than red wine. The bottom line is the sweeter the wine, the fewer the flavonoids. Dryer red wines are your best bet for a flavonoid boost.

I can't help to wonder if it is the components of the wine, the way the wine is consumed, or lifestyle that is the most responsible for the long healthy lives of many wine drinkers. However, it seems clear that regular, moderate consumption of red wine is beneficial to your health.  Cheers to your health. I hope to be sipping with you soon.

~Carla
Carla Snow is a Certified Specialist of Wine and Founder of A Grape Affair.

As always, A Grape Affair is designed to do private wine events for anyone who wants to know more about wine in a fun and non-intimidating environment, like your home. Gather several friends or co workers together and we will swirl, sniff and sip our way through the basics of each wine. We can do a specific region or just varietals, it can be formal and educational or fun and interactive, you decide.

The other branches of the vine that continue to evolve are the wine cellar page, wine classes, and fun wine events, so please join the mailing list if you have not already and spread the word to other wine lovers in your life.

And lastly, A Grape Affair continues to consult for several local restaurants as well as the wine department at The Durham Marketplace where I am constantly seeking new, exciting, good value wines, so please ask for me there. Look for wine tips in my monthly column in Portsmouth Magazine. It is all for the love of wine and I hope to be sipping with you soon.

May you continue to enjoy great wine with great friends.
~Carla Snow, CSW