Dark Fruit, Black Pepper Savoury

Galicia / Red / Caino , Blend / Organic 

Goliardo Caiño is a single-variety Caiño, a variety almost extinct, from very old vines planted near the sea, which gives a special saltiness to the wine. Fermentation occurs at controlled temperature in stainless steel tanks. Malolactic fermentation takes place in French oak barrels of 225 litres, the wine is then aged for 14 months. This is really reminiscent in style to Pineau D'Aunis so if you love bright, peppery wines this is an absolute must. A really interesting red wine match for seafood.

Notes on the producer

In the 1970s, most vintners in Rías Baixas were pulling up their old red grapevines to make way for the more productive, more en vogue, Albariño. Thankfully, the Méndez family was doing the exact opposite, planting more traditional vines, such as Caiño, Espadiero and Loureiro Tinto, in a successful attempt to preserve and revive this central element of Galician heritage.

This mission of preservation was kick-started in earnest during the early years of the 21st Century when Rodrigo Méndez and respected winemaker Raúl Pérez joined forces to produce not just some of the most astonishing Albariño available, but also the rare Galician reds that just a century beforehand were the pride of the region. Using traditional methods learnt over generations, Forjas del Salnés was born in a garage winery in 2005 and named after the ironworks set up by his grandfather, Francisco Méndez. Here they work the fruits from just 7.5 hectares of vines, grown in the villages of Meaño, Sanxenxo and Barro.

No amount of words can adequately describe the wines from Forjas del Salnés. To taste them is to taste true examples of Galician history, with the slight bite of Atlantic salinity reminding you of the coastlands from which they originate.