La Fanfarria Blanco Dominio del Urogallo 2018

La Fanfarria Blanco Dominio del Urogallo, 100% Albillo, biodynamic farming, unfiltered, crisp, light and citrus with fresh stone fruits, notes of elderflower and a soft finish. The Albilo variety is perhaos better known in Ribera del Duero and parts of Castilla Y Leon and often is made into orange wine. It is fascinating variety, generally neutral in aroma which works well for orange wines and has lovely texture due to the high glycerol content. This wine is superb, has a mineral vein, excellent texture but not too funky. It is easy drinking at its best.

The tradition of grape growing and wine making in Asturias dates back to the 9th century.

Unfortunately, the current century has not been kind to this tradition. Odium, extreme weather, phylloxera and an unresponsive marketplace have all contributed to the decline of the region. But recently there is a new spark in Asturias. The region around Cangas del Narcea is currently classified as Vinos de Calidad de Cangas and there is a petition working to elevate it to official D.O. status. Although Dominio del Urogallo currently does not use the Calidad de Cangas label, they are, in fact, within the region and a driving force in raising the overall quality. Nicolás Marcos is the man behind Dominio del Urogallo. He came from Toro, where his family has been growing grapes and making wine for a number of generations. But Asturias enchanted him; he saw opportunity in the old vines, steep slopes, complex soils and cooler climate. So he left his established identity in Toro and began carving out a new one in Asturias. Nicolas now has about 14 hectares of vines, which he restored to health through biodynamic farming and restored structurally by back-breaking manual labour. He is striving to create a forum for the voice of Cangas to speak. This means using the local varieties, fermenting with indigenous yeast and making the wine with as little manipulation and intervention as possible. 14 hectares of biodynamically farmed vines from various parcels near Cangas del Narcea on often insanely steep slopes. Mencía, Albarín Tinto, Albarín Blanco, Carrasquín, Verdejo Tinto (Trousseau) and a host of autochthonous varieties are planted. Vines are generally old, planted on slate, quartz and anthracite.