Mas Candí Xarel.lo 'Desig' Penedès DO 2019

For 500 years Ramón Jané’s family sold their crop to large cava producers, but in 2006 Ramón decided to buck tradition and vinify a portion of his grapes in collaboration with his best friend, oenologist Toni Carbó, and his wife, Mercé Cuscó. Collectively known as Mas Candí, they are situated on the inland edge of the Garraf massif, where they farm biodynamically, with a particular focus on the indigenous xarel lo grape, which thrives in the area’s calcareous clay soils. ‘Desig’ comes from 56 year old bush-trailed xarel lo, grown on a limestone ridge overlooking Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, which is whipped by cold winds, thus extending the growing season. Biodynamically grown, after harvest and pressing it sees 24 hours of skin contact before spontaneous fermentation in stainless steel. It is then aged on the lees in stainless steel for 7 months. Loads of limestone minerality combined with clear citrus tones, lemon zest, a muscadet-esque texture and a lip smacking saline finish, make this the perfect pairing for raw seafood. Bring on the oysters! Biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, vegan.