Terrers Brut Nature 2019

A sparkling wine with no cushion of sugar: Brut Nature means zero grams of dosage, so all the sweetness comes from the grape itself and the ageing time. The Terrers 2019 therefore shows openly what fruit, acidity and limestone have to offer, with a clear line and a cool tone.

The vines stand on the right bank of the Bitlles, in the hilly landscape of the Coster del Bitlles. The soil is markedly calcareous and low in organic matter, as the white stones between the rows immediately show. Recaredo farms 50 hectares of its own vineyards there biodynamically.

Xarel·lo and Parellada, hand-harvested. Bottle fermentation takes place under natural cork rather than crown cap, and disgorgement is done manually without freezing: the cellar master releases the lees sediment purely through the skilful movement of the bottle. Recaredo is among the founders of Corpinnat, whose rules require estate-grown grapes, hand-harvesting, native grape varieties and at least 18 months of lees ageing.

Taut and lively. Upfront green apple and lemon peel, followed by brioche from lees ageing and a chalky pull into the finish. The mousse stays fine, the acidity carries long, and without dosage the wine finishes narrow and dry.

As an aperitif, with oysters and seafood, with sashimi and seafood paella, as well as with Ibérico ham and aged Manchego.

Recaredo has bottled exclusively Brut Nature since 1924 and has been Demeter-certified since 2010, the first winery in the region to achieve this. Ton Mata, grandson of the founder, runs the house and serves as co-president of Corpinnat.