Celler Sanromà El Nexe 2022

Celler Sanromà sits in Catalonia, where Eduard Sanromà trained in oenology and turned a family of bulk-grape growers into a bottler of their own terroir. El Nexe is built on Sumoll, a thin-skinned native variety once widespread across the region and largely uprooted in favour of higher-yielding grapes. It ripens late and naturally keeps high acidity and low alcohol, which here settles at just 11 percent. The wine is farmed organically and made as a natural wine, then aged six months in chestnut casks rather than oak. Chestnut is more porous and lends a softer, more neutral oxygen exchange than French oak, so the wood rounds the tannins and lets the fruit and floral character lead. The colour is a bright, translucent ruby. The nose carries wild red berries, cherry and Mediterranean flowers over dried herbs and a savoury, earthy base. The palate is light and fresh, with fine tannins, lively acidity and a peppery, herbal finish. Serve lightly chilled at around 14 to 16 degrees Celsius. It suits charcuterie, roast chicken and mushroom dishes.