Ariyanas Terruno Pizarroso | Malaga, Spain

£16.10

An unfortified sweet white wine made from 100% Moscatel de Alejandría and aged for 8 months in French oak barrels.

The name Terruno Pizarroso references the slate soils of the area. 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. They have deep roots and are pruned to the trunk each year; production is 0.5-1kg per vine.

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 de-stemmed 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 especially for sweet white wine. Micro-filtration takes place before bottling.

An unfortified sweet white wine made from 100% Moscatel de Alejandría and aged for 8 months in French oak barrels.

The name Terruno Pizarroso references the slate soils of the area. 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. They have deep roots and are pruned to the trunk each year; production is 0.5-1kg per vine.

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 de-stemmed 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 especially for sweet white wine. Micro-filtration takes place before bottling.

Origin: Malaga, Spain

Grapes: Moscatel

Tasting Notes: 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.

ABV: 13.5%

Vintage: 2019

Ageing potential: 4-5 years

Attributes: Vegan

Clousure: Glass stopper

Size: available as half-bottle only

Farming: Organic practices

Sustainability info:

Winemaker: Clara Verjeij 

Winery link

Food pairing suggestions: Pair with foie gras and pâtés, blue or mature cheese and desserts of tropical fruit (mango, pineapple, passion fruit).