# Oriol Artigas 'El Rall' Red Blend (2022)

- **Producer:** Oriol Artigas
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Merlot, Garnatxa Negra, Syrah, Sumoll, Mataró
- **Region:** Catalonia, Spain
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 10.5%
- **Average price:** €20
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, lavender, black pepper

## About this wine

Oriol Artigas is a natural wine producer based in Vilassar de Dalt in Catalonia. After studying chemistry and oenology, Artigas dedicated himself to saving and revitalizing ancient, neglected coastal vineyards in Alella, one of Spain's smallest and most endangered appellations due to urban expansion from nearby Barcelona. El Rall represents a regional snapshot of all red grape varieties grown across his granitic parcels near the Mediterranean Sea.

## Interesting facts

- El Rall translates to the traditional Mediterranean casting net, representing a blend of all red grapes across the estate.
- The grapes grow on 'sauló', a rare soil composed of decomposed granitic sand located just 15 km from the sea.
- Alella is one of Spain's smallest appellations, covering barely 220 hectares due to urban sprawl from Barcelona.

## Food pairing

The light body, crisp acidity, and soft tannins of this natural red blend make it ideal for cold cured meats, light poultry, and roasted vegetables. Its saline freshness acts as a palate cleanser against moderate fats and savory herbs without overwhelming delicate flavors.

## Wine making process

Organically and biodynamically farmed grapes from 15- to 30-year-old vines are harvested entirely by hand. The destemmed grapes undergo spontaneous fermentation with native yeasts in stainless steel tanks with 3 to 4 days of brief skin maceration. The wine is aged for 7 to 11 months on gross lees, split between 80% stainless steel tanks and 20% old neutral oak barrels, and bottled unclarified, unfined, unfiltered, and with zero added sulfur dioxide.