This week I cover the many facets of Rías Baixas, an historic yet very new wine region (Romans farmed this region, monks perfected the winemaking, but the modern form of the D.O. didn't take shape until the 1980s!).

Rías Baixas is a fascinating but small Denominacíon de Origen (DO) in the far northwest corner of Spain. This is the Galicia region, which is so very different from the image most of us conjure when thinking about rural Spain. There is no dry, vast plateau, nor sandy colored buildings popping out of the landscape, rather this region faces the Atlantic Ocean and is replete with rivers and lots of rain, so it is lush, craggy, and more like Ireland than Priorat in its appearance.

Rías Baixas means "low estuaries" in Galician; rías are the fjord-like inlets carved by winding rivers along Galicia's Atlantic coast. They are the defining feature of the region's geography.

In this cool and changeable climate, Albariño is the star grape. In this show, I talk about the quirks of this region -- it's oldness...and newness. It's amazing concentration of female winemakers, vignerons, and business owners, and the styles of wine that exist and are emerging from this small but very mighty region.

If you love Albariño, this will explain the factors that make it so unique and will help you discover new and elevated styles! There is way more to this region than meets the eye.

Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Become a member today!

www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople

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To register for an AWESOME, LIVE WFNP class with Elizabeth or get a class gift certificate for the wine lover in your life go to: www.winefornormalpeople.com/classes

After Episode 620: The Greats -- the Wachau of Austria, I thought about re-releasing this show but I wasn't 100% sure. I decided to do it because in listening to Ep 383 again, it brought the region to life for me in a different and very useful way. I figured it would be helpful for you as well!

In this show I speak with Roman Horvath, a Master of Wine, is the Winery Director of Domaine Wachau, which is among the leading wine producers in Austria. The Domaine is actually a cooperative, meaning it is run by and owned by individual growers, with Roman bringing them all together under his leadership. Domaine Wachau has been cited as one of the best co-ops in the world and is known for making wines of origin and pure flavor.

A great conversation and a perfect show to listen to after Ep 620! Enjoy!

Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today!

www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople

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CHECK OUT MY NEW SPONSOR!!!

This show is brought to you by my NEW exclusive sponsor, Grapes the Wine Company – an actual brick and mortar store located in White Plains, New York that has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the most influential wine retailers in America. It is a store owned by my friend Daniel Posner, who has been on the show! When I was looking for a new sponsor, I wanted a small retailer who had the flexibility, contacts, and know-how to get us the wines that we really want. I'm so thrilled that Daniel is now a part of our Wine For Normal People community and I hope you will support him by going to https://www.grapesthewineco.com/

Austria is a bit off the radar so you may not know its greatest region: the Wachau. This time I cover the region in detail, from its 2000 year history to its unique geological makeup. I explain the region and why it makes some of best Grüner Veltliner and Riesling. While Austria is most certainly on the rise, there is no other region that rises to "The Greats" status other than the Wachau. A truly unique gem, in the world of white wine, this is a region with perfect terroir, a set of producers who have collaborated to do their best, and a set of wines that rank among the best whites in the world.

In this show, as in all "Greats" I cover:

• The history of the Wachau
• The location, climate, and geography/geology
• Viticulture that is unique to the area (the dry stone walls, and the inclusion of botrytized grapes by some is fascinating!).
• The main grapes (Grüner, Riesling) and wine styles
• Sub regions and their significance
• Producers
• Classifications from both the Vinea Wachau AND the DAC system

A great show and an even better region. Try these wines and get back to me! A good Smargd is hard to beat!!

Source for this show: Wachau Brochure from Wines of Austria

Great pictures of the Wachau: Vinea Wachau

Full show notes and all back episodes are on Patreon. Join the community today!

www.patreon.com/winefornormalpeople

_______________________________________________________________

CHECK OUT MY NEW SPONSOR!!!

This show is brought to you by my NEW exclusive sponsor, Grapes the Wine Company – an actual brick and mortar store located in White Plains, New York that has been recognized by the Wall Street Journal as one of the most influential wine retailers in America. It is a store owned by my friend Daniel Posner, who has been on the show! When I was looking for a new sponsor, I wanted a small retailer who had the flexibility, contacts, and know-how to get us the wines that we really want. I'm so thrilled that Daniel is now a part of our Wine For Normal People community and I hope you will support him by going to https://www.grapesthewineco.com/