Oriol Artigas Els Perles Boruguita 2022

Oriol Artigas is a Catalan winemaker working with the Spanish-wine importer José Pastor in the Valle de la Orotava on Tenerife, in the Canary Islands. The wine is made from Listán Negro with a little Listán Blanco, grown on the island's volcanic soils. The free-draining volcanic ground and high-altitude Atlantic climate keep the grapes fresh and low in sugar, giving the modest 11 percent alcohol and the bright acidity that define these island reds. The wine is fermented and aged nine months in stainless steel, a neutral, temperature-controlled vessel that adds no oak flavour and preserves the pure, primary fruit and the mineral character of the site. This is a natural, low-intervention style. The result is a light, pale red. The nose is fresh and lifted, with red cherry, strawberry and red currant, a touch of cracked pepper and a stony, herbal, faintly saline volcanic edge. The palate is light-bodied and juicy, with soft tannin, vivid acidity and a clean, savoury finish. Serve lightly chilled at 13 to 14 degrees. It is flexible at the table and good with poultry, pork and lighter fish.