Pecat Noble de Calamarsada 2022

Pecat Noble de Calamarsada is a sweet white wine from Ramon Jane in Penedes, Catalonia, made from Xarel·lo, the regional grape best known for Cava. Its origin is accidental: a hailstorm, calamarsada in Catalan, battered a Xarel·lo vineyard at Mas Candi in Les Gunyoles d'Avinyonet, and the wounded grapes were spontaneously colonised by Botrytis cinerea. This noble rot, rare on Xarel·lo, pierces the skins, evaporates water and concentrates the sugars and acids while adding honeyed apricot complexity. The fruit is farmed organically. Rather than barrel ageing, the wine spent around ten months in stainless steel tanks, which preserves the grape's natural acidity and the freshness of the botrytis aromatics without overlaying oak. The result keeps Xarel·lo's high acid backbone, which is essential for balancing the residual sugar. The colour is deep golden, like honey. The nose shows honey, apricot and chamomile over citrus peel, and the palate is sweet and textured but cut by green apple acidity that keeps it lively and gastronomic. The finish carries marzipan and white peach. Serve at 8 to 10C in a small glass, with blue cheese, goats' cheese or a fruit dessert.