Cora Loxarel, Penedès 2025

The white wines of Penedès are often characterised by being fresh and light with a citrus, green apple and white flower quality and those qualities are all here along with a bit extra. Muscat of Alexandria and Muscat de Frontignan drive this wine's more explicitly scented feel and aromatic lift, while Xarel·lo — the region's main variety — takes a supporting role, lending its characteristic freshness. Pleasingly light in the mouth with a raft of exotic fruit flavours, it all leads up to a refreshingly dry and mineral finish.

A refreshing aperitif in its own right, and a great foil to salty snacks and nibbles. Serve chilled alongside olives, almonds, or a simple tapas spread.

Josep Mitjan, a determinedly biodynamic producer since the early 2000s, took over his family's estate in 1987 which until then had supplied the bulk wine trade, in common with many in the area, and started to produce wines under their own label, Loxarel — in fact, making his first wine on the estate at the tender age of 16 back in 1985. Their vineyards are split in two – 20 hectares of mainly Xarel-lo around the winery near Vilobí del Penedès, about an hour west of Barcelona, and another 20 hectares, which came from his wife's family, high up in El Plà de Manlleu a further half hour's drive west. Biodynamic agriculture and natural winemaking are central to what they do, but they sit far from the eccentric end of the spectrum, with a reputation for consistency and quality.