As this summers rain-soaked sun dips below the horizon and takes its warmth with it, I find myself cozied up with a glass of Parajes del Valle Macabeo – the ultimate rainy summer companion. With each sip, I can almost hear the wine whispering tales of its wild fermentation adventures, like a seasoned backpacker recounting stories from the road less traveled. Just as the mosquitoes have declared war on my skin this summer, this wine declares war on the ordinary, turning the gloomy weather into an opportunity for a flavor adventure. As the rain-spattered window frames a world washed anew, I raise my glass to summer wines – the liquid embodiment of change, unpredictability, and the undeniable charm of embracing the wild side, one sip at a time.
Parajes del Valle Macabeo made by Bodegas Parajes del Valle is 100% Macabeo made under the DO Manchuela.
The label (or lack thereof) piqued my curiousity. I was familiar with the Macabeo grape, also known as Viura or Macabeu – a white variety of wine grape. It’s extensively cultivated in the Rioja region of northeastern Spain and the Cava-producing areas to the south of Barcelona. However, this wine hails from a slightly more southerly location, the Manchuela region, just west of Valencia. The wine has a pale yellow hue with a greenish edge. Crisp citrus notes and a hint of herbs greet the nose. On the palate, it presents as pure and pristine, with flavors of citrus, rosemary, thyme, and wildflowers. The wine shows good acidity, contributing to a very long pleasing finish.
Macabeo 100 %, 12.5% alcohol, Natural, Organic
$18.