Azores Wine Company - 2019 Branco Vulcanico

As you may have seen on this blog, wine is a worldwide commodity, produced in most corners of the globe. Wine can be made from grapes grown in a variety of climates, and sometimes in unexpected places. Today's wine is a white blend made in one such place, over a thousand miles in the Atlantic Ocean - the Azores. 

The Azores are are a volcanic archipelago first "settled" by European monks in the 15th century. Seems like a good place for a monastery, right? Well, as we know, monastics have long been the keepers of secrets when it comes to beer, wine, and spirits production, so it makes sense they'd make some wine out there to pass the time. 

Today's wine is from Azores Wine Company is and called "Branco Vulcanico", a blend of Arinto and Verdelho, the latter a common grape in Portuguese blends (like Nortico, a rose). With  less than 1000 cases made, today's wine ia limited run indeed. 

It's a deep golden color in the glass, quite handsome if I say so myself.

Nose is heather, dried flowers, and hay. Interesting.

OK, wow, very neat. The first thing I noticed is the texture - smooth and soft, like honey. The wine is full-bodied for a white, with a low acidity and a deep, unignorably-mellow palate. It's a touch...oily, if that makes sense, and secondary flavors are green apple skins, dried herbs, salinity, and some beach sand. Finish is pleasant and honeyed, with a little drying out but nothing resembling crisp or sharp. There's a soft warmth 

I think this wine might be a bit too much, actually, to pair with dinner - its complexity and silky texture seems to be closer to a dessert wine (although it isn't, to be clear.) I enjoyed having it on its own, and being able to focus on all the different things going on - the herbs, the hay, the fruit and apple skins, the coastline notes, and the smooth, soft texture. If I had to, I could see myself enjoying this with some stuffed dates, manchego, and stone-ground crackers.

This was certainly fun to try, and I believe AWC also makes a red blend, which would be interesting to investigate. Distributed by Salveto Imports, this wine retails between $32 and $40. 

Weekly Cocktail: "El Señor Rayón"

 In celebration of a recent birthday, here's a cocktail I put together in a snap. It combines delicious tequila, aged to perfection, with a locally-made cordial, a ton of fresh fruit, some cool garnish, and Casamigos riming salt for that south-of-the-border kick. To make this, you'll need:

• 2.5oz Tequila 123 "Numero Tres" añejo tequila
• 0.75oz McClintock Distilling Co. "Spiced Pear Cordial"
• 3 lime slices
• 3 lemon slices
• Star fruit (juicing and garnish)
• Dash of lemon seltzer
• Casamigos spicy chile rimming salt

First, muddle the fruit in the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add tequila, juiced star fruit, cordial, and ice, and shake vigorously. Pour into a Tom Collins glass, top with club soda, and garnish with fresh lemon and star fruit. 

It's delicious! The tequila is mellow and the cordial / fruit really stands out. I love the spicy kick from the rimming salt. And before anyone says anything, yes, I know it's "añejo", and he's not old! ¡Feliz cumpleaños Héctor!