Els Vinyerons Lluerna Blanc 2024

Els Vinyerons Vins Naturals is a natural-wine project run by Amos Baneres and Alex Ruiz Masach in Sant Marti Sarroca, in the D.O. Penedès in Catalonia. Lluerna Blanc is made from Xarel·lo, the region's signature white grape. Their approach is low intervention: the wine is made with minimal handling and without added oenological products, letting the grape and site speak. Penedès has a Mediterranean climate tempered by cooling breezes and altitude in its inland zones, which keeps freshness in the fruit. Xarel·lo is prized for its firm natural acidity and a distinctive savoury, faintly herbal and nutty character, all of which come through clearly in an unoaked, minimal-intervention wine like this. The colour is pale straw. The nose is fresh and summery, with citrus and green apple over pear, white flowers and a dry herbal note. The palate is light and crisp, dry and direct, the natural acidity giving drive and the Xarel·lo character showing as a subtle savoury grip on a clean finish. Serve well chilled at 8 to 10 degrees. It suits light fish, shellfish and salads.