Rufia Branco 2022 is made with just over 50% Encruzado, along with Cerceal Branco, Malvasia Fina and Bical. The different varieties were harvested on the same day in early September, de-stemmed, direct pressed and fermented together in stainless steel. After ageing for around 8 months on the lees, the wine was bottled. Despite there being no skin fermentation, it has an amber glow that comes from the short contact between the juice and the golden skins of the grapes whilst in the press. A refreshing wine with mandarin peel, apricot, herbs and honey, and a great match for sardines topped with raw onion and a drop of vinegar!
Pét Nat Rosé 2022 is a fun yet serious, low alcohol wine. Pinot Noir grapes (two thirds of the entire crop) were picked ‘pre-harvest’; before they were fully ripened and still had plenty of crisp acidity. At this point many of the grapes are still green or just turning colour, but already had a good sugar level from the hot summer. Everything was crushed underfoot and left for two days on the skins before pressing and ageing in stainless steel, with a few wooden barrels included. A juicy, sour cherry pét nat, adorned with an illustration from the boys’ grandmother and the perfect accompaniment for summer lunches.
The grapes for P'tit Grobis 2022 were harvested at the beginning of September, from vines averaging around 35 years at an altitude of 500 metres. Whole bunches were given two days of cold maceration, then pumped over to homogenise. After fermentation started the grapes macerated for a further 8 days, slowly releasing juice as they naturally compressed. After ageing in concrete tanks, the wine was bottled without any added sulphites. Enjoy at 14–16°C.