Zárate Albariño Rías Baixas, Spain, 75cl

Albariño as it should be – strongly mineral, balanced and very focused and tight, like a good Chablis. Stone fruits such as peach and apricot lurk hidden amongst the steely character of the wine. Unlike some paler versions of Albariño, this wine should last well over the next two or three years.

Zarate is a family-owned estate located in Meaño, the heart of the Salnés Valley in the Rías Baixas appellation. Their grapes are sourced from 6.54 ha divided among 11 vineyards in the villages of Sisán and Padrenda, planted on mostly granitic soil. From 1994, the vineyards have been untilled, with permanent natural cover, including mint, dandelion and a dozen other herbs. There are no herbicides or chemically synthesised nutrients and the grass is cut for mulch three times a year. New vineyards are composted once with sardines and Atlantic seaweed, and planted to diverse selections of quality genetic material from Eulogio’s best holdings. Mildew is attacked with rock sulphur in powder and spray form, and a variety of copper formats are applied at extremely low levels to avoid soil toxicity.

After hand-picking the grapes, the fruit is de-stemmed and lightly pressed. Wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and rests on its fine lees for 3 months with no battonage.

Please note, this product contains the allergen sulphites.