Bodegas y Viñedos El Sequé
In the hinterland of Alicante, in the municipality of Pinoso, El Sequé has emerged as one of Spain’s most exciting Monastrell projects. Behind the winery is the López de Lacalle family, who have made their mark on some of the country’s most renowned wine estates, including Artadi in Rioja, Artazu in Navarre and Izar-Leku in the Basque Country.
The region is one of the Mediterranean’s historic wine-growing areas. The Phoenicians and Romans left their mark here long ago. Against this backdrop steeped in tradition, El Sequé pursues a clear aim: to create wines that authentically reflect their origins and express the distinctive characteristics of the landscape, climate and grape variety.
Today, the estate comprises around 37 hectares of vineyards on poor, sandy and limestone soils. The vineyards are situated at an altitude of between 600 and 650 metres, where hot days give way to surprisingly cool nights. These significant temperature variations lend the wines freshness and vibrancy, whilst the nutrient-poor soils, characterised by gravel and limestone, impart character and depth.
The focus is on the Monastrell grape variety, the very soul of the project. Many of the old bush vines are over 50 years old and have deep roots in the dry soil. Unlike many powerful, opulent expressions of this variety, Monastrell at El Sequé reveals a remarkably elegant side: intense fruit, Mediterranean herbs and balsamic freshness combine with precision and finesse.
Red wines from Bodegas y Viñedos El Sequé
from Bodegas y Viñedos El Sequé
Juan Carlos López de Lacalle, founder of the Artadi Group and one of Spain’s most influential winemakers, is responsible for the stylistic direction. His approach to natural viticulture and his pursuit of authentic terroir wines also shape El Sequé. The focus is on provenance, character and the individual expressiveness of each vineyard site.
The result is Monastrell wines that combine Mediterranean vigour with remarkable freshness and elegance, and impressively demonstrate why Alicante is now one of the most exciting regions of origin for this traditional grape variety. With the launch of new single-vineyard wines such as El Hondonico, which was vinified in collaboration with local winemaker Agapito Rico, El Sequé is also placing even greater emphasis on the diversity of the individual vineyards and terroirs.
Producer
Bodega Palacios Remondo
He was born 'at home', right above his father's bodega – Álvaro Palacios, Spains star vintner. The scent of wine and barrels must have been lying in the air and thus dictated his further life. He studied oenology in Bordeaux and gathered professional experience at the Château Pétrus, and in London, Dublin, and California. Today, he owns vines in the Priorat county, in Bierzo, and at home in the Rioja, and proves his extraordinary talent with premium wines year after year.
Nyetimber
For the last quarter-century, England has played a very special role in the world of wines – an exotic in moist and chilly northern Europe.
Domaine de la Commaraine
The beauty behind the walls of Château Commaraine
The Burgundian municipality of Pommard has a classic, historic ambience with most of the buildings and walled vineyards (clos) intact, exuding a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. The small, romantic village square conveys a slightly exotic feeling to its visitors – an unusual sensation in rural Burgundy indeed!