MA Doña Blanca 2022

Originating from the slopes of the Bierzo Valley in northwestern Spain, this wine comes from plots of old vines planted in soils that blend schist, clay, and pebbles, near the village of Valtuille de Abajo. The climate here is a transitional zone between Atlantic and continental influences, offering temperature variations that promote the slow ripening of the grapes. The vines, cultivated organically, are worked by hand, reflecting the artisanal philosophy of the Michelini i Mufatto estate in this enclave of Castile and León.

The MA Doña Blanca 2022 vintage from Michelini i Mufatto is made from hand-harvested Doña Blanca grapes, then vinified using traditional methods with minimal intervention. The grapes are gently pressed before spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, without the addition of any oenological products. The wine is then aged on its fine lees in neutral containers to preserve the purity of the fruit and the expression of the terroir, with limited sulfiting only when necessary before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe pear , yellow apple , and citrus , complemented by delicate floral touches and a subtle mineral dimension reminiscent of wet stone. Slightly smoky nuances and a hint of salinity add complexity and depth. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet taut with lively acidity , exhibiting a chalky texture and a long, precise, and flavorful finish that highlights the natural freshness of the grape variety.

The history of wine in Spain is so ancient that no one really knows who first brought the vines to the region. By the time the Phoenicians arrived some 3,000 years ago and founded the present-day cities of Cádiz and Jerez, viticulture was already well established, and Spanish wines were widely traded throughout the Mediterranean and North Africa. You could say that Spain is a winemaking miracle. After years on the sidelines of the world of fine wines, it is now a major player. Investment and ambition in vineyards and wineries are resulting in increasingly rich, complex (often high in alcohol), and spicy reds that are gaining popularity with international consumers. Proud to have more land dedicated to vines than any other country, Spain is only now beginning to capitalize on this resource in a consistent way. Spain is a chaotic jumble of regions and subregions, much like its landscape is a chaotic jumble of incredibly rugged scenery. A glance at a map reveals the climatic diversity among Spain's many wine regions, from the lush, green vineyards of Galicia on the northern Atlantic coast to the parched vineyards of the southeastern Mediterranean. Spain's saving grace for viticulture is the average altitude of its vineyards, which is over 600 meters. Many Spanish vineyards are thus able to produce grapes with good color and acidity simply because nighttime temperatures are relatively low and the grapes don't ripen until after a sufficiently long growing season. But there is a real treasure trove to be found for those willing to dig, and now that a class of connoisseurs has developed in Spain, all sorts of ambitious investors have done their part to change the image of Spanish wine. Today, a new generation of winemakers has quietly begun to craft spectacular wines and experiment with grape varieties that would have been unthinkable not so long ago. Wine remains an important commodity and an integral part of Spanish culture.