Baldovar 923 Rascaña Merseguera – Macabeo 2021

Baldovar 923 is a recovery project in Alpuente, high in the Serrania de Valencia, set up to revive the area's native grapes through minimal-intervention farming on the lunar calendar. Rascana is built on Merseguera and Macabeo, two local white varieties grown on poor mountain soils at altitude, where cool nights preserve acidity and give the wine its freshness and herbal lift. The grapes macerate on their skins, which adds light tannin, texture and the wine's faint amber tint while keeping the mountain fruit precise. The wine then ages on its lees, where contact with the spent yeast cells releases compounds that build body and a subtle savoury depth without heavy oxidation. The result is a fresh, textured orange wine rather than a dark, tannic one. The colour is pale amber. The nose shows pear, green apple and citrus peel over white flowers, dried herbs and a touch of almond. The palate is dry, fresh and lightly textured, with a gentle grip and a clean, herbal finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It works with white fish, poultry, fresh salads and goat cheese.