Òrbita Venus Trepat 2024

Òrbita Venus Trepat is a natural red wine made in Catalonia from Trepat, a delicate local grape long associated with the cava country of Conca de Barberà. The fruit comes from cooler inland Catalan sites, which suit this light skinned, early picked variety and keep alcohol low, here just 11 per cent. The wine is raised for ten months in concrete tanks rather than wood. Concrete is inert, so it adds no oak flavour and only a very slow exchange of oxygen, while its mass holds a steady temperature that lets the wine settle and round out without losing freshness. Made as a natural wine with minimal intervention, it keeps the pure, transparent character of the grape. The colour is a brilliant, clear ruby, lighter than most Spanish reds. The nose is delicate and expressive, dominated by wild strawberry and red cherry, with red currant and a floral, rose petal lift. The palate is light bodied and fresh, with low tannin, bright acidity and a clean, red fruited finish. Serve lightly chilled, at 13 to 14 degrees, in a wide glass. Its low weight and freshness make it a good match for roast chicken, charcuterie and lighter dishes where a heavier red would dominate.