Ana Gadín and Javier Mendoza set up Atrium Vitis back in 2012 right in Quiroga (one of the breathtaking bits of Ribeira Sacra). They own 12 plots (a total of 6ha), dedicated mainly to indigenous Galician grape varieties, which they vinify separately, plot by plot, thus preserving the essence of each vineyard. Ana and Javier have also discovered abandoned vines, hidden deep within the local overgrown forest. They are currently clearing part of this area by hand, to recover these old vines and to identify the grape varieties.
Silius V.O.S. comes from a single vineyard of Albariño that grows on pebbles and clay. For this reason, the character of the varietal changes completely to what you might expect if you're a Rías Baixas drinker. In Ribeira Sacra, being slightly warmer and because on that presence of clay in its vineyards, Albariño becomes velvetier, silkier, waxier, fuller and its tense acidity integrates becoming pure freshness. It also gains in aromatics. Don't misunderstand us, it isn't a 'tutti frutti' wine, it still has that wide austerity that characterizes this varietal but developing more stone fruit nuances. One of the most personal whites crafted within the region.
V.O.S. stands for 'Veiled', 'Oxidized', and 'Sucio (dirty)' as that's how the Denomination of Origin Ribeira Sacra clasified it back in 2014. Believe us, it is none of that. This was a political decision since Ribeira Sacra is not interested on promoting Albariños made within its region to give more importance to other varietals such as Godello. Since then, they decided to realease it to the market without Ribeira Sacra's protection to avoid a nonsense fight against an old-fashioned red line establishment.
Albariño, Silius V.O.S., Atrium Vitis, Ribeira Sacra, 2022
We deliver to all EH postcodes without charge. Deliveries are done within 1-2 days.
For more info please don't hesitate to contact us at the following email address: info@fionwines.co.uk