Fento "Albariño" Rías Baixas, Spain 2023
Fento "Albariño" Rías Baixas, Spain 2023
FROM LA LUZ SELECTIONS:
THE WINE: 10-15 years-old vines, dry farmed, non-cert. organically grown in Rías Baixas’ second largest subzone of Condado de Tea, the warmest and driest of the five delineated subzones of this Atlantic influenced Denominación de Origem. Eulogio works with friend’s vineyards in the south of the region, South/SE facing vineyards, which helps ensure even ripening, while maintaining acidity in the mica/granitic soils. The challenge is strategizing harvest around the eventual rain showers in September. Classic pergola trellising helps avoid mildew pressures.
Hand harvested in the morning to retain maximum freshness and aromas. Destemmedand soaked on the skins briefly before going into press. Nothing is added to the juice atthis time. Native yeast fermentation takes place in stainless steel, after which thewine rests on lees for 6 months before being filtered and bottled. Nothing but SO2 isadded to the wine.
Succulent and aromatic, loaded with ripe valley fruit and incredible texture. Melon,cantaloupe and white flowers on the nose finish with peach and green apple and wetstony minerals. White gold. Luscious fruits and leesy textures give way to fresh andbeautiful acidity. A very lovable wine.
THE PRODUCER: Fento Wines are made with sustainably farmed grapes from micro vineyards spotted throughout the Condado de Tea sub zone of Rías Baixas. Prestigious winemaker Eulogio Pomares of Bodegas Zarate and his wife Rebeca Montero were both raised with vineyards for playgrounds and have spent their entire lives immersed in the industry of viticulture and winemaking. Their personal joint venture, Fento Wines, was created in August of 2012 and is a young, family business that makes wines that reflect the strength of the grapes and their nuances, but comes with a fresh focus and presentation...a personal enterprise that combines natural viticulture with new techniques.
In relation to viticulture, Fento works with local Rías Baixas grape varieties, giving great importance to the grape-earth-climate-winemaker aspects. Fento wines also relies on the assistance of their friends and family crew of small farmers, something which is vital if you want to achieve rational work that respects the environment. Many vines use spontaneous vegetation coverage to obtain more concentrated grapes, to improve the soil's structure and avoid erosion.
Wine cellar work does not adhere to set rules, each year depends on the vintage itself. Grape picking is done by hand with the grape selection carried out on the vine. Alcohol fermentation takes place in stainless steel vats, and according to the vintage, fermentation takes place and the length of breeding is decided upon.