Varieties Albet i Noya
Josep María is very open-minded, so he has tried many new grape varieties and recuperated old ones. Today, he is working with some 30 different varieties – with great success. Here are those he sees as the most important: Xarello (18 ha): this white variety is the best suited to the terroir of Costers del Ordal. It gives the wines fruitiness and minerality. And it ages well. Macabeu (11 ha): young vines of this variety are mainly used for the production of cava, but after 30 to 40 years macabeus acquire a totally other dimension – very interesting flavours, worthy of the best white wines. Their ageing potential is huge (100 years or more). Parellada (12 ha): this variety is very resistant to diseases, but doesn’t produce for more than 40 years. The wines it delivers are low in alcohol and acidity. It is interesting for the production of cava, bringing them elegance and finesse. Marina Rion (1.5 ha) : this variety was rediscovered by Josep Maria who gave it his grandmother’s name. The wines made out of it have a high acidity and very fresh aromas not dissimilar to those of Riesling. Tempranillo or Ull de llebre (8 ha): if the yields are kept low, and if the vines are old enough, very good quality wines can be obtained with this grape variety. Wines with good ageing potential too. Belat (2 ha): this variety was rediscovered by Josep Maria who gave it its name (it is an anagram of Albet). It produces light-coloured wines with soft tannins and a refreshing acidity, and a very nice fruit. In terms of structure, it is comparable to the best pinots of Burgundy. Since 2007, Albet i Noya has vinified Belat as a top wine, on its own. Marselan (3 ha): a grape with a very good potential in Penedès, according to Josep María. It is a crossing between Grenache noir and Cabernet Sauvignon. Very fruity, with a good structure, but soft tannins and a very good ageing potential. Arinarnoa (1.5 ha): another crossing, between Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon, this time. The wines that are made with it are dark coloured, densely aromatic, full bodied but with soft tannins. Blackberries, spices and animal notes are the main aromas. Josep María is convinced he will be able to produce great wines with this grape in the future.