LaRural Moscatell Alexandria 2024

Brothers Xavi and Andreu Padro run LaRural in Catalonia, championing indigenous grapes and low-intervention farming, and this orange wine is made from Moscatel de Alejandria, one of the most ancient varieties known and a grape suited to the warm, humid Mediterranean climate. Made as an orange wine, the must ferments with skin contact, drawing aromatic compounds, colour and a light tannic grip from the grape skins, which turns the famously perfumed Muscat into something dry and textured rather than sweet. Ageing on its lees adds body and a subtle savoury, bready depth as the spent yeast cells break down and release mannoproteins into the wine. Farming is natural, organic and vegan, with native yeast fermentation. The wine is bright amber. The nose is openly aromatic, with orange marmalade, white flowers and rose over apricot. The palate is dry and fresh at a gentle eleven percent, the lees giving texture while citrus peel and a light grip carry the finish. Serve well chilled at 9 to 11 degrees.