Metamorphika - Macabeu Orange

ORGANIC/LOW SULPHITES

Costa D’Or (or Costador) Terroirs Mediterrani are around 15 different plots, scattered around Tarragona province, mostly centred around Conca de Barberà, with
mountainous as well as Mediterranean influences. The soil around here is mostly
calcareous and this limestoney minerality shines through in all of these wines. Costa
D’Or farm all their vines organically, the only intervention in vineyard is the use of
pheromones to repel pests, a little copper and sulphur if and when needed and
sometimes the use of sodium bicarbonate to prevent powdery mildew.

Macabeu Orange is made from 80-year-old Macabeu vines at high altitude on white
clay/calcareous soil with a lot of quartz and stone. Immediately after harvest 70% of
the grapes are destemmed and passed to large amphora with their skins. The other
30% the bunches are placed whole in amphora. The juice is left on skins for 12-14
weeks before being pressed off and passed back to amphora for ageing for another
6 months minimum.
Bottled in ceramic with a wax seal, the idea is that this wine begins its ageing
process (the fermentation) in clay and finishes it in clay. This is very much a
mountain wine, from a plot that is usually a full 5 or 6 degrees cooler than the coast,
with a great balance and acidity. The time spent macerating on skins adds a depth
of flavour and tannin that means it pairs excellently with many foods, in particular
richer white fish and meat dishes.
Brisat is the Catalan word for ‘orange wine’, as it is an old tradition in Conca de
Barberà, Priorat and the Terra Alta to macerate white wine on skins for a period in
clay amphora. This is a tradition that has all but died out amongst winemakers in the
area.

Origin: Catalunya, Spain
Grape: Macabeu
Vintage: 2020
ABV: 
Bottle size: 750ml