Spanish Whites for Turkey Day part 2

Last time we talked about Spanish wines to complement a thanksgiving feast. I introduced you to airen and its wonderful attributes. Today, well will explore another native varietal known as macabeo (known as viura in Rioja...more on that later) Macabeo is a very aromatic and floral varietal similiar to airen however it can show apple and pear in addition to the citrus notes. Banana could also show its face here too. On the floral side, macabeo tends to have jasmine and sometimes honeysuckle on the finish as well as the nose. It typicaly has gentle acidity so it is the perfect accompaniment to turkey. Here are 2 macabeo wines to check out!
Amigo Sancho Macabeo- this wine from La Mancha is made from 100% Macabeo. On the nose and on the palate you will experience white fruits, green apple, citrus fruits, and pretty jasmine notes. All backed by a gentle but gripping acidity. $9
Vege Telosa Savignon Blanc Macabeo blend- This is a 50-50 blend of the traditional French varietal savignon blanc and the Spanish grape macabeo. This allows the wine to have citrus fruit from the savignon blanc with the banana and honeysuckle notes from the macabeo that is delightful. This is yet another good turkey wine. $11
Now, in the Rioja region of Spain they make macabeo wines as well. However, they call the grapes viura. They also do something different to the grape. They ferment the wine in oak. Normally macabeo is unoaked (as is airen). In Rioja, they use oak to give viura a different vibe. The wine still shows the good acidity that is common but the fruit that is brought out are the apple notes which tend to taste like they are baked. The oak also gives a roasted hazelnut and a slightly creamy finish. This is truly unique way to utilize the macabeo grape. These flavors make a unique pairing with turkey. The oak makes the wine a little bit heavier so if you are doing a deep fried turkey, those flavors that the outer skin will be awesome with the moist meat. Here is a viura to try out!
Bodegas Leza Garcia Viura- This wine from the Rioja is viura(macabeo) that is barrel fermented for 100 days. The baked apple, lemon peel, and roasted hazel nut along with good acidity is rather unique and delicious. All of you chardonnay drinkers who like their oak would love this wine. $13
One more thing. I know most of you out there think that champaigns and sparkling wines are for celebrations only. WRONG!!!!!! The are nothing more than bubbly wine. Spain makes a bubbly known as Cava (which macabeo is one of the key grapes used!!!) and other sparkling wines. I like to call them sparklies myself. The bubbles of sparkling wines add to the acidity and enhance the fruit flavors and give the wine a wonderful sensation in the mouth. Do they go with turkey? You bet! I will now tie everything together with our discussion of spanish whites for turkey day. Check this out.
Vinedos y Reservas Cuevas Santoyo Brut-This sparklie is from Villaneva De Alcardete in Toledo within La Mancha. This neat little bubbly is a blend of 40% Airen and 60% Macabeo. This gives you flavors of lemon and grapefruit with bit of dandelion and grass. It is floral and aromatic and gives you a bit of both worlds. This is perfect for all thankgiving foods. Also, this could be a good precursor to the turkey dinner. $13
Now thats was a fine ending to this awesome discussion of spanish whites. Find these wines and enjoy them with your family and friends and have delicious food and a Happy Thanksgiving. Cheers!