NZ & International Other Whites

February 7, 2023 (Cuisine magazine Issue 216)

Godello,viognier and albariño – oh my! A wine spread like this is the thing of dreams for wine judges at the best of times but when the judges are a consultant winemaker with a particular passion for lesser-known varieties, a wine writer with more than 20 years experience and an award-winning Italian sommelier, well it’s fair to say that the atmosphere was electric. The results speak for themselves with a whopping top 15 wines. It was impossible for the judging team to come in under that number due to the quality of the wines. These fifteen top wines span eleven varieties from six different countries. How do I summarise that in one paragraph? It’s virtually impossible so I will pass on the advice given to me by our chair of judging Simon Nunns. “Buy these wines, and enjoy the ride.” I couldn’t have put it better myself.

top NZ & International Other Whites

Mara Martín Godello 2021 (Monterrei, Spain)

People are forever telling me they would love to try something new, but are afraid to stray too far from their favourite varietal. So chardonnay lovers listen up, because this one’s for you.

Godello is a lesser-known white wine produced mostly in the north western Spanish region of Galicia. It’s medium bodied with lovely freshness and nice palate weight. It can be oaked or unoaked and is dry with a creamy texture and lovely length... sound like any wine you know?

The region of Galicia is renowned for its albariño, so lovers of that varietal are also sure to be delighted with godello and the Bodegas Martín Códax that makes this wine has been a well-known and respected albariño producer in the region since 1985. The name Martín Códax comes from a Galician poet who sang of love, land and the coast during the Middle Ages. The belief is that this name is fitting as the Martín Códax wines sing through the glass, telling a beautiful story of the land, the vineyards, the people who work in them and a love of Galicia.

Made using only godello grapes, this wine has been fermented in stainless steel followed by 3 months on lees. It is fresh and high toned on the nose with aromas of ripe apricots, nectarine, apple and quince. The palate mirrors the nose abounding with flavour and juiciness. The acid is well balanced and serves to accentuate the creamy texture and mouthwatering salinity which culminates in a long satisfying finish. (A)

| $25
→ more 1 View All Results in the Mara Martín Godello 2021 (Monterrei, Spain) Tasting

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  • Outstanding 11
  • Excellent 4
  • Very Good 12
  • Good 25
  • No Award 4
  • Total Entries 56

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