So you want a fantastic, out-of-this-world white wine but don’t feel like paying an arm and a leg?
Enter this hidden gem! Catalonia is Spain’s amazing value-priced answer to heavy-hitting white wines, which are typically better known.
The region is home to ten different subregions and runs along the Mediterranean coast of North-Eastern Spain.
The secret to the low price points? For starters, Spain is a value town when it comes to high-quality wine in the first place.
On top of that, many producers, such as Alella, have automated large portions of the winemaking process.
While this may lack a certain human touch in some people’s minds, I, for one, am just happy to get my hand on an exceptional bottle of wine with this much character.
Contents
Alella Vinicola Marfil Blanc Classic Review
Alella Vinícola has produced wines that have been renowned in the town of Alella since 1906. The winery is located right in the heart of the region, about 15 kilometers from Barcelona!
As such, they have been a favorite in Barcelona for the better part of 100 years, while the rest of the world is still slowly discovering what an amazing value this producer offers.
This particular offering is aged in stainless steel for four months to ensure a crisp, clean profile.
Alella Vinicola Marfil Blanc Classic Summary
- Brand: Allela Vinicola
- Country: Spain
- Region: Catalonia
- Wine Type: White Wine
- Varietals: Garnacha Blanca, Pansa Blanca
- ABV: 13%
Appearance
The wine is a bright straw color, with just a bit of a greenish hue in the glass. The wine has fairly light legs, which take time to develop and fall in the glass.
Smell
Green apple, wild herbs, and bright limes are complimented by hints of roasted almonds and just a bit of yeasty brioche.
There are some notes of fleshy stone fruit, including apricots and peaches, which lend a sense of freshness to the nose as well.
The aromatics are subtle and complex without being excessively in your face or overwhelming.
Taste
Tart green apple, a bit of chamomile, and mixed citrus fruits burst right onto the tongue with the first sip.
The aftertaste is where it really shines, though, as the bready flavors and nuttiness mingle pleasantly with all of the fresh fruit present.
Lovely stone fruit rounds out the profile here, and all of the flavors work in nearly perfect harmony.
What Does Alella Vinicola Marfil Blanc Classic Pair With?
What grows together goes together! Try this with Spanish options such as tapas or paella. Alternatively, go South American with it.
It works well with food such as red beans and rice, ceviche, whitefish, and shellfish as well!
What Wines Are Similar to Alella Vinicola Marfil Blanc Classic?
I would recommend starting with some other light white wines, which are a bit off the beaten path.
I personally enjoy Albariño, which is a Spanish varietal that features lovely salinity which is reminiscent of a fresh ocean breeze.
You can find the same varietal in Portugal under the name Alvarinho. You could also go with white Rioja.
While not nearly as common as its red counterpart, white Rioja offers exceptional value, depth of flavor, and incredible drinkability.
Outside of the aforementioned options, I would lean pretty heavily on Italian offerings to find wines similar to this.
One of my personal favorites is Nic Tartaglia Trebbiano, and with a little bit of age on them feature similar nutty, bready, roasty characteristics to this wine.
Final Thoughts
I discovered this bottle thanks to the recommendation of a co-worker, and I could not be happier that I took his advice and took a bottle home.
There will always be a spot in my refrigerator for this one, and I bust one out whenever I have a get-together where I just want a clean, crisp, easy drinker on hand.