Vigiriega
Ensayo de Burbujas 2018
Barranco Oscuro

Grape Variety: Vigiriega

Producer: Barranco Oscuro (Manuel Valenzuela)

Region: Cadiar, Alpujarra, Andalusia, Spain

Wild Scale: 3/5

Vegan friendly wine

Winemaking: Organic Vigiriega grapes were harvested by hand. Fermentation with indigenous yeast. New juice from a late harvest of grapes was added to the base wine in order to re-ferment in bottle (traditional, Champagne method sparkling wine). Aged for 3 years on the lees in bottle before disgorging.  No added sulphur. 

This Wine: Manolo's Champagne method sparkling wine made with the indigenous Vigiriega grape that retains high acidity. The extended less ageing brings plenty of texture, complexity and depth to this mineral focussed cuvée. Great as an aperitif or with food. 

Notes on the Winemaker: Manolo Valenzuela returned from France to his homeland of Granada province after the death of the dictator Francisco Franco. He acquired one of the highest vineyards in the world in the 1970s, he set about making wine without any additives which inspired an entire generation of winemakers from Spain and the rest of Europe. Hot days and cool nights (thanks to elevation) make this a unique environment with the Mediterranean sea just 10km away. We visited in 2023 to see Manolo still going strong at the age of 80.