Xarel-lo, Penedès, Spain

The Agustí Torelló Mata estate is primarily known & revered for its chic & dry Cavas, so it is a very cool opportunity to get to try a still white from these bubbly aficionados! XIC (which, for the record, is pronounced ‘chick’) is fresh & intense & drinks like the sound of a roaring waterfall, for which we have the vineyard’s ancient calcaraeous-clay soils to thank— they are strongly affected by the cooling Mediterranean breeze. Wine is fermented in stainless steel for paramount freshness, then aged on lees for three months for texture. It’s not too wild to liken this wine to a still Cava! The colour is bright & pale like the clearest spring sunshine with easy aromas & flavours of juicy lime & cool white peach. Pair with a shrimp cocktail after badminton practice.