Gran Cerdo Tinto 2023

This sits very, very high on the delicious factor scale. Certainly not typical of Rioja, this is all about pure, clean, delicious red fruit with real character. All the wonderful, juicy elements of Tempranillo, with no dirty oak to mask its charm. It has a natural feel about it but with no funkiness to hide the fresh strawberries, raspberries, cherries and violets with clean mineral tones from the granite soils. This little natural wine is phenomenal value, and too damn glugable.

Dedicating the Gran Cerdo label (which translates as Big Pig) to the bank executives who wouldn't give him a loan to start his wine business, Gonzalo Grijalba has developed a bit of a cult following. He's extremely passionate about reclaiming the biodiversity of the earth he farms, and has eschewed more commercial practices involving pesticides and herbicides for biodynamic methods.

With no loan granted to build his natural wine empire, Gonzalo started and continued his venture using family vineyards. The decision to pursue ethical and sustainable viti/viniculture practises was significantly influenced by his father’s illness, caused by contact with pesticides and herbicides for several years. Additionally, the soil of his vineyards suffered substantially, and lost its vitality due to it. Over the years, Gonzalo has worked tirelessly to restore the fertility of the land, and has created the most recognisable natural wine brand in the UK as a result.