Moscatel de la Marina 2025

Enrique Mendoza produces this sweet Moscatel in D.O. Alicante, from Moscatel de Alejandria with long roots in the coastal Marina district. The grapes grow under a warm Mediterranean climate, which gives Moscatel its characteristic ripe, perfumed aromatics. After hand harvesting the bunches are destemmed and the must is macerated cold on the skins to maximise aromatic extraction, since much of Moscatel's scent sits in the grape skins. Fermentation is then halted by adding grape spirit, a process known locally as encabezado, which stops the yeast and retains a high level of natural sugar while lifting the wine to 15% alcohol. The result is a young, aromatic fortified Moscatel rather than an oxidatively aged style, so the emphasis falls on freshness and floral lift. The colour is bright golden. The nose is fragrant and grapey, with orange-blossom honey, orange peel, fresh mandarin and apricot over a floral background. The palate is sweet and unctuous but kept buoyant by citrus freshness, finishing on candied orange and honey. Serve well chilled, around 8 degrees, as an after-dinner wine. It suits citrus tarts, almond pastries and hard nutty cheeses.