Alberto Nanclares, Labores, Rias Baixas, Spain

Who - Alberto Nanclares & Silvia Prieto
Where - Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain
What - Red Wine - Caino Tinto
When - 2019
How - Organic and Biodynamic practices, whole bunch, fermentation with indigenous yeasts in old oak, 1 year ageing in barrel and 2 years in bottle, unfined, unfiltered, minimal sulphur added, Vegan

Alberto Nanclares (pictured here in the vineyard closest to his house)originally came to Galicia because he was a keen sailor but ended up with a vineyard. After a few years of conventional farming, he decided to abandon chemical treatments altogether and became fully organic, although he also dabbles in biodynamics. His vineyards, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, benefit from daily sea breezes while the granitic soils, so common in the region, bring incredible minerality and freshness to his wines. In the winery his approach is as natural as possible, and apart from the use of small amounts of sulfur, he is basically hands-off, allowing each vintage to express itself.

Alberto's main production is the region's hero grape, Albariño, but he also grows some red varieties traditional to the area. This wine is made from Caiño Tinto, whole bunch fermented in old oak then aged for around a year in barrel and two in bottle. It is a pure, bright and light red with food-friendly tannins, very much in the heritage style Galicia. Wonderful with octopus and squid or tuna.