Goliardo Caiño 2022

Forjas del Salnés is a small family winery in the Salnés valley of Rías Baixas, better known for white Albariño, run by Rodrigo Méndez with input from winemaker Raúl Pérez. Goliardo Caíño is a single-variety wine from Caíño Tinto, a scarce native grape kept alive on very old vines planted close to the sea. The Atlantic climate here is cool, wet and maritime, and the coastal position leaves a saline print on the fruit while the mild growing season keeps ripeness low and acidity high. Caíño is naturally late ripening and high in acid, so it holds a light body and a peppery edge. The wine spends twelve months in French oak barrels, which softens the structure and adds a little spice without covering the fruit. The colour is a bright medium red. The nose shows red currant, cherry and wild red berries over a clear briny, savoury note. The palate is light and fresh, with high acidity, slim tannin, black pepper and a salty mineral finish. Serve at 14 to 16 degrees. It suits oily fish, seafood rice and roast pork.