Parajes del Valle Macabeo 2025, Spain, Organic

Parajes del Valle Macabeo is a certified organic white from Parajes del Valle, a winery based in Jumilla that also works with vineyards in the neighbouring Manchuela DO, in south-east Spain. It is 100% Macabeo from traditional, unirrigated bush vines grown on clay over limestone, in an upland area where vineyards average 600–700 metres. The grapes are harvested by hand and sorted at the winery, then fermented spontaneously with wild yeasts for around 15 days in concrete tanks. Sulphur is kept to a minimum, the wine stays in concrete until bottling, and it is suitable for vegans.

In the glass it is light yellow with lime-green reflections. The nose is intense and bright, with floral and wild herb aromas, citrus, green apple and crunchy pear. The palate is fresh and crisp, with lively acidity, lime and yellow apple, a slightly creamy texture, softer notes of pear and melon, and a long, balanced finish.

Serve well chilled, at around 8–10°C. It is a lovely aperitif and works well with ceviche, goat’s cheese, salads, grilled fish and seafood tapas. Drink it young, while it is at its freshest and most vibrant.

Parajes del Valle is a winery on the outskirts of Jumilla, in Murcia, south-east Spain, and belongs to the García Pérez family group, which also owns wineries in Manchuela and Valencia. Led by winemaker María Jover, the project focuses on certified organic wines from dry-farmed vineyards in the Jumilla and Manchuela DOs, with grapes picked slightly early to keep their freshness in this warm, sunny region. Its Monastrell comes from bush vines in northern Jumilla, in plots such as Fuente de las Perdices and La Cañada de Albatana, and the winery is committed to preserving the traditional ‘terraje’ system, a historic sharecropping arrangement that has helped keep some of the area’s oldest vineyards in production. Fermentations take place in steel and concrete, and sulphur is kept to a minimum.