Azul y Garanza Suelo Vivo Blanco 2024

Azul y Garanza Suelo Vivo Blanco 2024 is an orange wine that captivates with its vibrant character and a slight cloudiness reminiscent of the freshness of wines from the past. On the nose, it reveals a dance of citrus (lemon and tangerine) wrapped in delicate notes of wildflowers and a hint reminiscent of fennel. On the palate, it flows effortlessly, leaving traces of apricot and juicy peach, while the citrus notes illuminate each sip. A lively and charming orange wine, perfect for carefree and sunlit moments.

Significant shifts invariably bring with them a plethora of advantages as well as challenges. The Agricultural Revolution of the 18th century was no exception. Owing to technological advancements and novel farming practices, there was an upsurge in food production and a consequent population growth. Yet, what was the cost? Biodiversity suffered a considerable blow. Fortunately, an increasing number of progressive vintners are drawing lessons from our history to move towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices. In the wake of this approach, regenerative agriculture is gaining momentum and is here to stay. This cultivation method, unlike the exhaustive practices of conventional agriculture, aims to rejuvenate and reinforce agricultural systems through sustainable techniques, ensuring their resilience in the long term. Embracing this work philosophy wholeheartedly are Maria, Fer, and Dani. Under the name Azul y Garanza (a tribute to the two hues - azure and garnet - that color the cooperative they are reviving in the town of Carcastillo), they introduce their new line of minimal intervention, Suelo Vivo. These are light, juicy, and fresh wines that champion biodiversity and are perfect for sharing at any given moment.

Azul y Garanza Suelo Vivo Blanco is a direct offspring of this healthy soil. The vineyard is situated in the Natural Park of the Bardenas Reales, in Navarra, a semi-desert landscape of unique beauty due to its singular geological formations and has been a UNESCO biosphere reserve since the year 2000. For its production, they utilize strains of white Grenache vines with an average age of 20 years, planted on clay-limestone soils at an altitude of 400 meters. They work organically, following regenerative practices, and the harvest is done by hand at the optimal point of ripeness. Once at the winery, a minimal intervention approach is advocated. The selected grapes macerate with skins and spontaneously ferment with indigenous yeasts in concrete tanks. Subsequently, the wine remains in these same vessels for over 6 months, and finally, bottling occurs after a light clarification and without filtration.