Oriol Artigas La Bèstia 2023

Oriol Artigas farms near Alella, in Llinars del Vallès only 15 km from Barcelona, where he settled in his home territory to make wines of clear local identity. This wine comes from Pansa Blanca, the local name for Xarel·lo, the white grape of the Alella area. The defining feature of the region is its sandy granitic soil, known as sauló, which drains fast and lends a light, mineral freshness, while the coastal position and sea breezes keep the fruit bright. The wine is made with skin contact, the juice macerating on the grape skins to extract a gentle colour and light tannic grip. It then spends nine months on its lees in stainless steel, the spent yeast cells slowly breaking down through autolysis to release mannoproteins that add a creamy texture and a doughy, savoury depth, while the steel keeps everything fresh and unoaked. Made as a natural, vegan wine, it shows a pale amber colour. The nose is green apple, citrus peel and white peach, with a fresh bready note. The palate is dry, textured and saline, carrying pear and dried herbs to a clean, mineral finish. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a white wine glass. It pairs well with white fish and shellfish.