Rouge 'Les Canons' Opi D'Aqui 2019

"Les Canons" is Opi d'Aqui's most immediate and drinkable version. This label, too, leaves no doubt about intentions: "canon," in the jargon of French wine lovers, indicates precisely a "glu-glu" wine, that is, one that is very easy to drink. The expression seems to have originated in historical times within the Masonic tradition, when the invitees to a society meeting used to strike in unison with their glasses on the table before emptying them in one breath, producing precisely a cannon-shot noise.

"Les Canons" is made by Opi d'Aqui from typical French grapes that are more or less local: Syrah, one of the great international varieties native to the Rhone Valley, from the parcel in the village of Aspiran, a few kilometers south of the winery, from vines 30 years old; Mourvedre, among the major vines of the Midi, from the vineyard located near Clermont-l'Herault. The soils are characterized by a clay-limestone matrix, while all the grapes are grown according to the rules of organic certification and in accordance with the principles of biodynamic agriculture. Harvesting is carried out manually by waiting for the bunches to fully ripen, which are then sent to separate vinification: carbonic maceration in steel tanks for the Syrah, while the Mourvedre is destemmed, pressed directly and rests on the skins for 15 days. At the end of spontaneous alcoholic fermentations, by indigenous yeasts only, the two bases are blended and proceed to a period of aging in steel tanks for several months. Bottling is carried out without filtrations or other manipulations, nor addition of sulfites.

"Les Canons" from Opi d'Aqui already reveals all its exciting vitality at a glance, with a purplish-red guise with ruby highlights. The aromas are simple and mouthwatering, all centered on floral notes, among which violet stands out, and fruity aromas of small berries, such as wild strawberry, joined by a pleasantly funky rustic nuance. The taste shows all the lightness and freshness of this composition, with almost winy hints and a bite-and-run tannin, toward an aromatic finish of good persistence. An example of a snack red, which finds company in bread, salami and simple cheeses.