El Grifo Orange Wine Moscatel 2024

El Grifo farms on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, where vines are planted in pits dug into the black volcanic ash left by the Timanfaya eruptions of the 1970s, each sheltered by a low stone wall against the Atlantic wind. The porous volcanic soil drains freely and the maritime climate lends the fruit a saline edge. This wine is made from Moscatel, an aromatic grape rich in floral perfume, vinified as an orange wine through extended skin contact, which extracts tannin, colour and phenolics and intensifies the Muscat aromatics while giving the wine its amber hue and gentle grip. Made naturally with native yeasts, it is dry despite the aromatic grape. The colour is amber-yellow. The nose is intense, showing orange blossom and orange peel, apricot and white peach, with dried herbs underneath. The palate is dry and fresh, the skin tannin a light grip and the volcanic soil lending a saline freshness, closing on citrus peel and a salty mineral note. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees in a white wine glass. It suits white fish, shellfish and lightly spiced dishes.