2017 Cellar Pardas Sumoll Rosé

Region: Peñedes < Spain

Grapes: Sumoll

Vineyard/Cellar Stats: Organic farming, 60-year-old vines on limestone, loam, calcareous clay and sandy soils; aged four months in cement before bottling unfined/unfiltered with <20ppm added SO2; 12% ABV

Winemaker: Ramon Parera

As the demand for international-styled, full-bodied (jet fuel) reds has grown (thanks, Robert Parker), many of the native grape varieties in wine regions all over the world – but especially in Spain – have disappeared. This has been the fate of Sumoll - an underdog variety (and total pain in the ass in the vineyards) that produces light, low-alcohol, subtle wines that are completely out of fashion with the Spanish wine marketing council and the international press.  But this is totally our jam, so we’re grateful that the two guys behind Celler Pardas, a winemaker/farmer team, are doing their part to preserve Sumoll (pronounced "su-moy") by making three different wines from the grape, including this rosé.  Don’t be put off by the bright pink color – the Sumoll grape is highly pigmented, so even the briefest skin contact in pressing produces brilliant pink juice.  But there is nothing sweet, sappy or big about this wine.  Bright and refreshing, with pomegranate, herbal, salty notes, this wine drinks more like a baby red. Great with grilled veggies, Mediterranean spice – try with a spread of hummus, pita and all the fixings.