2022 Venus la Universal “Dido La Soluci Rosa”, Montsant, Spain

ABOUT THIS WINE

Sourced from multiple plots around Montsant, this still ros is made from organically farmed grapes. It sees up to 16 months aging in neutral oak barrels. It is a blend of red and white grape varietals and built for immediate enjoyment as well as aging.

ABOUT THIS PRODUCER

Husband and wife team Sara Prez and Ren Barbier (Fils) are the children of two of the great pioneers of the Priorat D.O., Josep Lluis Prez of Mas Martinet and Ren Barbier of Clos Mogador. Sara and Ren are both very well respected vignerons in their own right, so it seemed natural that they should start a project together. For this project, they decided to stake their claim not in Priorat, but in the slightly sleepier D.O. of Monsant.

Ren and Sara have taken the goddess as their inspiration for this project. One of their stated goals is to interpret femininity through a bottle of wine. This might seem an odd choice for a bodega that elaborates Grenache- and Carignan-based wines in Southern Catalua, but it makes sense once you taste. These are incredibly elegant, refined, sensual expressions of Montsant, with restrained alcohol levels and tremendous texture.

The grapes for the wines come from an approximate total of four hectares of vineyards which are owned by four different grape-growing families in Falset as well as another small plot owned by Venus. One could call Venus a ngociant project, but it is more accurate to say that it is a partnership between these four families and Ren and Sara. Venus is these small growers only client, so their vineyards are farmed in accordance with the rigorous ecological standards set by the couple. The grapes for Dido come from the Falset area, from vineyards with soils based on decomposed granite called saul. These soils are poor in organic matter and they contribute to producing grapes with great ripeness and fruit flavors. The grapes for Venus come from clay-calcareous soils between Mar and Guiamets. These soils encourage a slow, elegant and complex ripeness.