Piquitos Moscatel 2023

Piquitos Moscatel is produced by Hammeken Cellars from vineyards located in the Mediterranean region of Valencia, on Spain's east coast. The Moscatel vines there benefit from a warm climate tempered by sea breezes, with plenty of sunshine and cooler nights that preserve aromatic freshness. The predominantly limestone and well-drained soils allow for good concentration in the grapes while maintaining a beautiful natural acidity, ideal for producing a smooth, expressive, and balanced white wine.

The Moscatel grapes are harvested at optimal aromatic ripeness, then destemmed and gently pressed to preserve their varietal freshness. The must is clarified at a low temperature before controlled alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks at a moderate temperature to retain the intense aromas of white flowers and citrus. Fermentation is stopped early to preserve some of the grapes' natural sugars, giving the wine its slightly sweet character. Aging continues briefly in stainless steel tanks on fine lees before early bottling to preserve the fruit.

This wine reveals notes of white flowers , rose petals , orange zest , ripe peach , and fresh grapes , complemented by delicate honeyed touches and a slightly spicy nuance. On the palate, the texture is smooth and mellow, carried by a luscious sweetness balanced by a lively acidity that prevents any heaviness, with a persistent and refreshing aromatic finish.

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.