Témide 2023

Témide comes from Valencia, on Spain's Mediterranean coast, a collaboration between Luca Bernasconi and the young local winemaker Javier Revert, made at Revert's cellar. The grape is Malvasía, a native aromatic variety that lends itself to perfumed, textured wines. The fruit is given skin contact to draw out aromatics and gentle phenolics, then aged for just three months in barrel, a short élevage that keeps the wine fresh and fruit-forward rather than heavily oxidative. Valencia's warm Mediterranean climate, tempered by altitude and sea breezes inland, ripens the Malvasía while retaining acidity, and the brief maceration gives the wine a light grip and a deeper colour without building firm tannin. It is farmed naturally and organically, fermented with native yeasts and bottled with minimal intervention. The wine shows a pale amber colour and a fragrant nose of white peach, apricot and orange peel over white flowers. The palate is dry and lightly textured, with stone fruit, a faint almond note and a fresh, herb-tinged finish. The modest 11.5 per cent alcohol keeps it easy to drink. Serve at around 11 to 12 degrees. It suits white fish, roast chicken and salads.