Vinatigo Maipe 2023 750ml

Description

The most intense of the three single-vineyard whites from Listán Blanco (Palomino) is the 2023 Maipé de Taganana from the Anaga zone in the northeastern part of Tenerife. It also has a slightly deeper color and a more complex and nuanced nose, with more of everything, a little more ripeness and alcohol (12.8%) but also with more acidity, freshness and marked minerality and a salty finish with a bitter twist. It has a strong mineral/volcanic character, both on the nose and palate. It matured in 225- and 300-liter French oak barrels for five months. 1,449 bottles produced. It was bottled in July 2024

• Country: Spain
• Region: Canary Islands
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White

Varietal

Palomino

Palomino is a white grape variety best known as the primary grape used in Sherry production in Spain’s Jerez region. It thrives in the region’s chalky albariza soils, which help retain moisture in the hot, dry climate, allowing the grape to maintain its naturally low acidity and neutral flavor profile.

What makes Palomino unique is its ability to transform through the winemaking process rather than relying on strong varietal character. When aged under flor (a layer of yeast), it produces the delicate, saline-driven styles of Fino and Manzanilla Sherry. In oxidative aging, it develops into richer, nutty styles like Amontillado and Oloroso. Despite its neutrality, Palomino’s texture and minerality make it a fascinating base for these complex wines.

Outside of Sherry, Palomino is used in light, dry table wines, though it is rarely as expressive as other white grapes. It pairs exceptionally well with tapas, seafood, and salty cheeses, making it a staple of Spanish cuisine.