Emilio Moro El Zarzal 2024

The Moro family has grown wine in Castilla y León for over a century, and founded the modern Emilio Moro winery in 1987. Best known for red, they also make El Zarzal from Godello in D.O. Bierzo, a region of slate and clay soils in the sheltered valleys of the Sil. Godello is a naturally structured white grape that carries good acidity and a stony minerality when grown on these poor hillside soils, and the moderating Atlantic influence keeps the fruit fresh. The wine spends eight months on its lees in barrel. Ageing on the fine lees releases mannoproteins that give body and a rounded, creamy mid palate, while the barrel adds a light savoury spice rather than obvious oak. The colour is luminous straw yellow with greenish glints. The nose is fresh, with apple and pear over white peach, citrus peel and a hint of fresh dough from the lees. The palate is broad and textured but held by clean acidity, closing on a saline, faintly nutty finish. Serve at 10 to 12 degrees. It suits white fish, shellfish and roast poultry.