Bodegas Zarate is located in the Val do Salnes, named after the ‘sal’ (salt) the Romans used to harvest there. This small but brilliantly run cellar was established in 1920 by Ernesto Zarate, who was pivotal in promoting Albariño in the area.
Current winemaker Eulogio Pomares (Ernesto’s grandson), studied in Bordeaux and Germany investigating parallels between Albariño and Riesling, his knowledge of the Albariño grape is second to none. Since he took over the management of his family vineyards in 2000, he has focused on improving them. He started to work organically, abandoning mineral fertilisers. Instead, he uses shells from the surrounding coastline which provide the calcium and magnesium the vines need and don’t get from the acidic soils. He also uses local seaweed as compost. In the cellar, he is low intervention and his wines are characterised by their Atlantic freshness and age-worthiness.
Pair it with pasta, shellfish, veggie dishes, snacks & appetizers, fish
