Rouge 'Les Cliquets' Opi D'Aqui 2020

"Les Cliquets" from the Opi d'Aqui winery is the label with which vigneron Philippe Formentin evokes his beginnings as a producer: the "ratchets" of the name recall the mechanism of the first press installed, with which he made his first creations. A red that represents an almost whispered interpretation of Grenache Noir and confirms that this corner at the western end of the Languedoc is an extremely vocated territory for perhaps the most Mediterranean black grape variety of all.

"Les Cliquets" is made by Opi d'Aqui from Grenache Noir grapes grown in the territory of the village of Vendémian, located about 16 kilometers southeast of the winery's headquarters, in a tiny 0.8-hectare plot characterized by soils with a clay and limestone component and located at an altitude around 200 meters above sea level. Harvesting is done manually, and the whole bunches undergo carbonic maceration in steel tanks for a period of 3 weeks. Subsequent alcoholic fermentation occurs spontaneously by indigenous yeasts and, after racking, the cuvée is completed with 30% Vermentino: manual harvesting is followed in this case by direct pressing and the usual spontaneous fermentation. Both varieties are grown under certified organic conditions, additionally following the principles of biodynamic agriculture. The final blend is then placed to age on its fine lees in steel tanks for 6 months. Bottling does not involve further manipulation such as filtration, stabilization or clarification, nor does it usually involve the addition of sulfites.

"Les Cliquets" from Opi d'Acqui presents itself in a diaphanous appearance, of a pale ruby red very close to an intense rosé. A visual impact that is confirmed on the palate by a light sip, characterized by extreme drinkability: the disruptive freshness is accompanied by a light tannic texture, enhanced by a very fine saline note. The nose is cheered by fresh, crisp fruit scents: just-ripe cherry and wild berries, from currant to strawberry, closing on the finish in a refreshing trail of green vegetable. A red that seems interpreted specifically for aperitifs with vegetarian finger foods, or to pair with sashimi.