Ariyanas Terruno Pizarroso 37.5cl

The grapes are from the oldest vineyards of Málaga’s eastern Axarquía, just a few kilometres from the Mediterranean Sea. Hundred-year old bush vines grow in vineyards at about 500-850m above sea level in slate soils that are dotted with white quartz.

The harvest is manual, with grapes collected at 15 kilos per crate. They are carefully transferred to the historic ‘paseros’ – used to dry the raisins produced in the region – where they are laid out bunch by bunch for sun drying. Once the desired sugar level has been reached they are destemmed and gently pressed obtaining low volume, high quality musts.

Fermentation takes place in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks – until  7º Baumé and 13% alc/vol is reached – then a temperature reduction to -3/-4ºC stops fermentation. It is the cold-shock treatment that keeps the wine naturally sweet. This process allows the normal flavour expected of a dessert wine to come through, but without the sticky texture that can be a characteristic. As an added bonus, these wines have a lower abv. The wine is then matured for 8 months in French oak barrels selected for the sweet white wine. Microfiltration takes place before bottling.

Dark golden colour. Delicate with light, complex, harmonious fragrances. A concentration of honeyed candy marmalade and lychee fruit sit within warm smoothness and exotic freshness. Correct levels of acidity and contained sweetness confer a lovely balanced finish.