Marqués de Alella Galactica

The tiny Catalan denominacion of Alella is found next to the Penedes DO and 15km north of Barcelona. Urban spread has caused the winegrowing area to shrink by two-thirds since the 1950s, but it clings on and is today among the most highly rated sub-radar regions in Spain.

The star turn in these unique sandy granitic soils – called sauló in Catalan – is the Pansa Blanca grape, a local clone of Xarello.

Rich, full-bodied and herbaceous, with peach, almond and citrus notes, this wine is aged partly in concrete ‘eggs’ and partly in French oak.