The Messenger Albariño

Tasting notes & discussion 58

Typically $24/bottle from Art + Farm Wine
Vintage 2021 Vinho Verde from Portugal
Available for CA; CO; DC; FL; GA; IL; MA; MI; MN; MO; NC; NH; NJ; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; TN; TX; WA; WI
Sold by Art + Farm Wine, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Art + Farm Wine: 20 years ago in Western Australia, Kat McDonald got the opportunity to work with a craft brewer down under. After three years, she returned to the US along with her husband Rob McDonald, and together they founded Old Bridge Cellars. Though they were importing Australian wines at first, they planted some vineyards in both Australia and Napa Valley, leading to the production of their own wines. Then in 2008, Art+Farm was born as a vehicle for their single vineyard wines, outrageous blends, and Circadia: an exploration of varietals in their truest forms.

The Green Wine

TASTING NOTES:
“Grown along the River Minho in northern Portugal where it is known as Alvarinho, this crisp, romantic and refreshing white wine is bursting with complex fruit flavors. The freshness of this wine is enhanced by the wonderful silky texture. Joyous while young, this wine will develop wonderful complexities if allowed to age in the bottle for a few years.” (AbV 13%)

BARRELS: N/A

TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine:
The Green Knight! He’s big. He might be green. He appeared before King Arthur’s court one Christmas with an axe in one hand and holly in the other.

Upon entering, he called everybody else wusses as his own special way of communicating he came in peace. Mostly peace. Because he proposed a game, and that game is called “Hit Me With An Axe And I’ll Hit You Back Next Year.” You’d think that was a bad game, but Arthur wanted in on that. Luckily, I guess, Gawain steps in instead. And Gawain, realizing that killing the man would prevent him from getting axed next year, decapitates the knight.

Unfortunately, the Green Knight merely picks up his head, puts it back on, and tells Gawain he’ll see him next year at the Green Chapel. Gawain actually goes to meet him and kneels before him to take his beheading. The Green Knight swings once, but doesn’t finish it. He swings again, but doesn’t finish it. Think of a golfer doing the practice swings right before actually hitting the ball. On the third swing, he stops it right at the neck, drawing blood, but barely piercing the skin.

It was all a test! Morgan le Fay used him as one way to evaluate the mettle of King Arthur and his court. Everybody gets to live, and Gawain proves his courage I guess.

PAIRS WITH (winery recommended): N/A

OR (really-going-with-the-theme-option): Your greens.

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