Sauvignac, Muscaris and Marina Rion. Not your usual grapes in this Catalan gem

Sauvignac*, Muscaris* and Marina Rion*. Not your usual grapes in this Catalan gem

Albet i Noya La Volada 2021, 12% ABV, 

RRP: €20. Stockists: Sonas, Newcastle West / The Connemara Hamper, Clifden/ The Little Green Grocer, Kilkenny / Mary Pawle Online

“The latest arrival from Albet i Noya, always innovating, .. is the result of research and development to find disease-resistant grape varieties. A blend of Sauvignac, Muscaris and Marina Rion, produces this white wine…”. That’s the introduction to this new wine by importer Mary Pawle.

The colour is a light straw. The three varieties used are not alone highly aromatic but each has been proven to be resistant to fungi and other vine diseases. There is indeed the inviting scent of white flowers. On the palate, it is full of zingy citrusy flavours and immediately refreshing with a lip-smacking finish which is not overly long but long enough. 

The winery is very happy with it: “La Volada is one of the most floral and aromatic wines from the winery with an intense scent of jasmine and white flowers. In the mouth, it is very refreshing, with a gentle mouthfeel and a citrus aftertaste that reminds us of orange and grapefruit.”

La Volada is an ideal wine for hot August nights. Have it by the glass as an aperitif or pair it with fresh salads, light cheeses, seafood or seafood paellas. Highly Recommended.

The Catalan winery has invested heavily in the future by developing “grapevine” projects that will help them reduce their environmental impact while combatting pests and diseases. 

This lovely fruity and fragrant white wine is a sign that they are on the right track with experienced family patriarch Josep Maria Albet i Noya leading the way with an intense focus on the project of resistant and indigenous varieties. Expect to hear less of the international varieties from Albet and Noya in the future.

* The Three Grapes

According to https://plantgrape.plantnet-project.org/ "Sauvignac has been obtained by V. Blattner in Switzerland. This variety is an interspecific hybrid resulting from the crossbreeding of a descendant of Sauvignon x Riesling and a hybrid whose identity is unknown."

Marina Rion is an ancestral white grape resistant to disease that has been recovered by the winery Albet i Noya.

Muscaris is a cross between the grapes Solaris and Muskateller (Muscat), with a good resistance to diseases. It was created by Norbert Becker at the National Institute of Viticulture, Freiburg, Germany and is used in colder climates (Germany, Austria). More here.

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Albet i Noya. Classy Wines from Catalonia

Albet i Noya

Classy Wines from Catalonia

The Albet i Noya family vineyard is situated at Can Vendrell near the village of Sant Pau d'Ordal. They cultivate 44 hectares of vines on the slopes of the Ordal mountain range in the Penedes region of Catalonia, and have held Organic Certification since the 1980's. The brothers Josep Maria and Antoni are steadfast in their pursuit of excellence and innovation, and their range of still and sparkling wines are synonymous with high quality. 

It was Scandinavian influences, staring in 1978, that led to the vineyard going organic. Josep Maria Albet i Noya decided to try one of the vineyards, despite doubts from friends and family. But it worked out well and encouraged him to extend the practice. Healthier vines and healthier wines are the result.

Albet i Noya, Lignum, Penedes 2013, 14%, €16.00 Mary Pawle Wines

This is a red blend of Cabernet Sauvignon / Garnatxa negra (Grenache) / Merlot / Syrah / Ull de llebre (Tempranillo). The grapes are “from the highlands of the region” and the wine has spent 10 months in barriques.

I had been looking for some help after opening the bottle but my timing wasn’t good: “It’s red, smells like wine and it’s nearly time for East Enders!” In fairness, after the show, I did get a more considered opinion and we both were very happy with the Lignum.

It is a ruby red, bright. Aromas are an inviting mix of dark red fruits, especially plum. You have the same bright mix of fruit flavours on the palate, spice, smooth tannins. It is warm and supple and dry with a long lasting finish. Very engaging. Could well be a long term relationship! Well made, no loose ends here, a more or less perfect wine and Very Highly Recommended. Good value too.

The winemakers say it can be enjoyed straight away, although it will evolve favourably in the coming years if stored between 10° and 15° C. “We recommend serving it at 17°C.”

Albet i Noya, El Fanio, Penedès 2010, 13%,€15.90 Mary Pawle Wines

I was a little bit worried when I realised the age of this one. But re-assured when reading that Xarel-lo ages well and this wine is one hundred per cent Xarel-lo.

Pale straw is the colour and there are white fruits, honey and herbal notes in the aromas. Seven years it may be but still lively, stone-fruit flavours, touch of melon too. The mouthful is close to succulent - it has spent some seven months on lees. Hints of sweetness but all well balanced by a vibrant acidity and then there’s a decent mid-length finish to follow. Highly Recommended. Would be interesting to compare with a more recent vintage.

Albet i Noya say: Planted on small terraces of 2 or 3 rows and treated with Biodynamic preparations to heighten the expression of the terroir, the wine is vinified traditionally. It is left on the lees in the porous cement eggs that let it breath and constantly dynamises the wine due to their shape, bringing out the mineral character of the Costers de l'Ordal.

To read more about the varieties of the Penedes region, please click here