2021 Venus de la Figuera

Sara Pérez is the wife of Rene Barbier, who produces the famous Clos Mogador, Espectacle and Manyetes. Sara Pérez is also in charge of the family estate Clos Martinet. She also works closely with her brother Adria at Cims de Porrera. Father José Luis Pérez, one of the most important figures in the Spanish wine world, is proud of his children. He himself remains active in various wine projects. Together with her husband René Barbier (Clos Mogador), Sara Pérez owns and vinifies magnificent wines at Venus La Universal. As a tribute to every small food manufacturer from the 1920s who wanted to become big, Sara has named this mini-estate Compania Universal de Vinos.

The phenomenal Venus de La Figuera has the sharpness of the limestone soils and the acidity of the year and the altitude of the vineyard. In the great year 2016 Sara produced 3,000 bottles. Crisp, elegant Garnacha with citrus freshness. Great Garnacha from La Figuera.

The Venus La Figuera is the flagship and comes from the vineyard "Guixà" on a soil type consisting of white clay and limestone and is located at 600 meters altitude. The altitude and the soil make a very fine grenache and a pronounced acidity. The grapes ferment in open barrels of 500 liters. It macerates for a long time, 30/35 days and grapes are hardly crushed in order to preserve the fresher and elegance of the grenache on a high vineyard. After fermentation, the wine matures for at least 18 months in a foudre of 2500 liters and this is also the maximum production.

The 2021 Venus de la Figuera is a characterful red wine from Montsant (Catalonia, Spain), made by Venus La Universal, the wine project of Sara Pérez and René Barbier Jr. The wine comes from the village of La Figuera, where old Garnacha vines are planted on chalky soils at high altitude (around 600 meters). This results in a refined, elegant and fresh style of Garnacha, with floral notes, juicy red fruit, fine spices and a striking mineral, almost ethereal structure. The wine is typically aged in large wooden barrels or foudres, with minimal intervention.

Its freshness, refined tannins and aromatic complexity make the 2021 Venus de la Figuera particularly suitable for dishes in which elegance, subtle spice and layering play a role.

Lamb with Provencal or Mediterranean herbs
Roasted leg of lamb or lamb chops with thyme, rosemary and garlic are a classic match for Garnacha. The juicy texture of the wine complements the tender meat, while the herbs enhance the floral and spicy profile of the wine.

Stewed or grilled vegetables with earthy accents
Dishes such as grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, lentil stew or ratatouille pair well with the wine because of their layered flavors. The wine enhances the natural sweetness and smoky character of the vegetables, while the fresh acidity provides balance.

Poultry with Mediterranean influences
Think guinea fowl or oven-baked chicken with olives, tomato and oregano. The light structure and aromatic depth of the wine complement the juicy, flavoursome meat without being overpowering.

White cheeses with maturation or semi-soft cheeses
For example, Manchego curado, tomme de brebis or mature goat cheese. These cheeses have enough fat and saltiness to let the acidity and fruit of the wine speak, while nicely capturing the tannins.

Mushroom preparations with herbs and nuts
Roasted portobellos, chanterelles with hazelnut butter or risotto with chestnut mushrooms go well with the earthy character of the wine. The subtle umami and texture of mushrooms enhance the spiciness and minerality of the wine.

Game dishes with red currant compote
Hare saddle or pigeon with a sauce of red fruits gives a nice harmony between the wild character of the meat and the red fruits in the wine. The fresh acids of the wine bring tension and keep the whole light.

Why these combinations work:
The Venus de la Figuera 2021 has a relatively low alcohol content, an elegant structure and lively acids. As a result, it combines well with refined, rather subtle dishes. The wine is powerful without being heavy, and has sufficient grip and length to accompany complex flavours, without becoming dominant itself. This balance makes it suitable for both light game dishes and vegetable or Mediterranean preparations with herbs and structure.