Contributed by Rick Fisher from
Bodega: Adventures in Spanish Food & Wine

On a recent work trip to Hawaii I discovered a wine that I have heard about over the past couple of years but have never come to purchase – the 2007 Viña Godeval from Valdeorras. I picked it up at a wine shop in Kailua Kona (on the big island) and asked the gentleman behind the counter for the best sushi in the area. He gave me a recommendation and told me that I can bring my own wine – at no charge! Great sushi and my own Spanish wine? Does it get much better than that? I don’t think so!

The D.O. Valdeorras (“valley of gold”) is situated in the province of Orense (in Galicia) and covers an area of approximately 1400 hectares (3459 acres). The Valdeorras wine region consists of 43 Bodegas, which produce in excess of four million liters of wine annually. Bodegas Godeval was created as late as 1985 and is the first winery to produce a 100% Godello (native Spanish varietal) wine in Galicia. It is also one of the first estate-bottled wineries in Galicia. The winery is located in the surroundings of the 13th century monastery of San Miguel of Xagoaza, in the mountains next to El Barco in Valdeorras (Galicia). The vineyards are located on the mountain slopes with the composition of the soil of slate, although much granite is also found in the D.O. The climate is continental with a tremendous Atlantic influence and approximately 40 inches of rain a year.

This wine was absolutely incredible. I eagerly carried my chilled Viña Godeval into the recommended sushi bar with the anticipation of partaking of some of the most amazing sushi this side of California. I was not disappointed! Upon arrival at Sushi Kazu in Kailua Kona, I asked Chef Toshi what was his freshest fish. He quickly replied, “Hamachi.” Any guess what I ordered? I didn’t think so! Hamachi is actually a young yellowtail (tuna) and is considered quite a discovery when able to find it in a sushi bar. With my wine sitting in an ice bucket I eagerly awaited my first taste of Hamachi. It was absolutely amazing. This was a great beginning to what would be one of my best sushi experiences ever. Throughout the evening I enjoyed sweet shrimp, a salmon skin roll, some grilled hamachi, and my first taste of abalone. Each and every morsel was complemented wonderfully with the Godello.

The 2007 Viña Godello is one of my favorite finds of the summer. Don’t hesitate. Look for it now.  Enjoy!

Rick Fisher is an independent Spanish wine & food journalist for "CataVino", author and publisher of the blog "Bodega: Adventures in Spanish Food & Wine" and also a blog contributor on VinVillage.com.