Apasionado de José Pariente 2024

Bodegas José Pariente is a respected name in D.O. Rueda in Castilla y León, and Apasionado is its sweet Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes come from a single old vineyard, one of the first plantings of its kind in the region more than 28 years ago. The soil is the area's typical stony ground, poor in organic matter with limestone underneath, which at this altitude restricts vigour and gives small, concentrated berries. The continental Rueda climate brings hot days and cold nights, a wide diurnal range that ripens the fruit while holding onto the acidity that keeps a sweet wine fresh. The grapes are picked very ripe and the must retains a high degree of natural acidity, which is the backbone of the wine. Fermentation is halted to leave residual sugar and a moderate alcohol of 11 percent, and the wine is made without oak so the varietal aromatics stay clean. The colour is bright gold. The nose shows ripe apricot, white peach, honey and elderflower with candied citrus peel. The palate is sweet but lifted, the high acidity cutting through the sugar to leave a clean, long finish. Serve chilled at around 8 to 10 degrees with fruit-based puddings.