2023 MAR DE FRADES, ALBARINO, RIAS BAIXAS, SPAIN

Mar de Frades is a varietal white Albariño produced in the Rías Baixas by the winery of the same name, Mar de Frades.

The grapes used to make this Albariño come from Valiñas Finca, a plot planted on terraces and located to the south of Mount Valiñas in the Salnés Valley.

The influence of the nearby Ria de Arousa is noted, and ocean breezes give this Mar de Frades a saline character.

The vines are over 20 years of age, trellises are used to avoid soil moisture. A poor and shallow soil containing sand formed by decomposition of granite gives the wine a certain minerality. The harvest is done manually and grapes goes through a strict table selection process, where up to 20-25% of the crop is discarded.

The grapes are macerated for between 10 and 20 hours, after a light pressing a clean and very aromatic wine is obtained.

Fermentation takes place at slow controlled temperatures.

Mar de Frades is a delicate and subtle Albariño, with a marine theme and very special minerals. Out of interest, the wine's label that helps keep Mar de Frades at the correct temperature.