Homenaje Blanco 2024

Homenaje Blanco is a white from D.O. Navarra, made by Marco Real at Olite, part of the Familia Belasco group. It blends Viura, Chardonnay and Moscatel, three grapes that between them cover freshness, body and perfume: Viura holds the acidity, Chardonnay adds weight and stone fruit, and a little Moscatel lends a floral, grapey character. Navarra runs from the foothills of the Pyrenees down towards the Ebro, giving cooler sites that help white grapes keep their acidity. Before pressing, the grapes are given a short skin contact of about two hours, a cold soak that pulls extra aroma and flavour from the skins while the low temperature protects freshness. A gentle pressing in pneumatic presses follows, and the must is fermented slowly in stainless steel at 18 to 20 degrees to hold on to the aromatics. The colour is bright straw. The nose is white peach and green apple, with pear, white flowers and a light grapey Moscatel note. The palate is dry and fresh, the fruit forward and the finish clean and citrus edged. Serve at 8 to 10 degrees.