Celler Alimara, Llumí Blanc, 2021
Celler Alimara, Llumí Blanc, 2021
- White Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.5%
- Organic
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Xarel·lo
Celler Alimara works out of the Catalan hinterland with the kind of quiet conviction that doesn't need shouting about, and Llumí Blanc is their statement that Xarel·lo deserves to be taken seriously outside a Cava blend. This is old-vine fruit, farmed without chemical intervention, pressed gently and left to find its own voice rather than being dressed up with oak or artifice.
What you get is a white with real bones: waxy texture, orchard fruit, a saline thread that runs right through to the finish, and just enough grip to make you sit up. It's not a wine that asks permission to be interesting.
- ❖ ABV: 13.5%
Grapes
Xarel·lo
Vintage report
The 2021 vintage in Catalonia turned out to be one of those years that kept everyone guessing until the very end. Spring brought irregular rainfall patterns that had producers watching the skies with particular intensity, whilst summer heat arrived in waves rather than the steady build many were expecting. The harvest itself stretched longer than usual, with different zones and varieties ripening at their own pace, demanding careful selection and multiple picking passes from the most conscientious producers.
What emerged from all this uncertainty are wines with a particular freshness that sets them apart from the riper, more immediate vintages of recent memory. The Garnacha and Cariñena from the older vine sites show real backbone and minerality, whilst the Tempranillo-based blends carry more obvious fruit but with underlying tension that suggests they'll reward patience. We find ourselves drawn to the way these wines balance ripeness with acidity, though they're showing a bit reserved in their youth. Give them until 2025 to really hit their stride, though the whites are drinking beautifully now.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale gold with a slight waxy sheen.
NoseWhite peach and quince alongside crushed stone and a faint herbal lift. There's a savoury edge that keeps the fruit in check.
PalateTextured and weighty for its size, with waxy orchard fruit, a saline streak, and bright acidity holding it all together. The grip on the mid-palate is pure Xarel·lo.
FinishLong, saline, and faintly bitter in the best almond-skin way.
Overall impressionA serious, characterful white that proves Xarel·lo can stand entirely on its own.
Food Pairings
In Catalonia this would land happily alongside grilled sardines or anchovies straight off the coals, a plate of jamón, or calçots dunked in romesco sauce. The wine's saline edge loves anything from the sea, while its texture can handle richer dishes like suquet de peix, the local fish stew. Aged Catalan cheeses, particularly sheep's milk varieties, also make a fine match.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 10-12°C, slightly warmer than you might pour a simple summer white, to let the texture show. No need to decant, though a few minutes in the glass won't hurt. A tulip-shaped white wine glass suits it best, giving that saline, textured character room to unfold.
The vineyards sit on the calcareous, clay-rich soils typical of inland Catalonia, planted at moderate altitude where warm Mediterranean days are tempered by cooler nights. Old Xarel·lo vines, many decades old, dig deep for water and minerality rather than relying on irrigation, which gives the fruit real concentration without losing freshness. This combination of heat, altitude, and mineral-rich ground is what gives the wine its saline, textured character.
This wine is produced under a regional Catalan designation that allows growers more flexibility than the stricter Penedès or Cava rules, giving producers like Alimara room to experiment with single varieties and lower-intervention methods. It sits apart from the sparkling wine industry that Xarel·lo is usually associated with, instead treating the grape as a serious still white in its own right. The result is a style that feels distinctly Catalan but refreshingly unbound by convention.
The 2021 vintage in Catalonia turned out to be one of those years that kept everyone guessing until the very end. Spring brought irregular rainfall patterns that had producers watching the skies with particular intensity, whilst summer heat arrived in waves rather than the steady build many were expecting. The harvest itself stretched longer than usual, with different zones and varieties ripening at their own pace, demanding careful selection and multiple picking passes from the most conscientious producers.
What emerged from all this uncertainty are wines with a particular freshness that sets them apart from the riper, more immediate vintages of recent memory. The Garnacha and Cariñena from the older vine sites show real backbone and minerality, whilst the Tempranillo-based blends carry more obvious fruit but with underlying tension that suggests they'll reward patience. We find ourselves drawn to the way these wines balance ripeness with acidity, though they're showing a bit reserved in their youth. Give them until 2025 to really hit their stride, though the whites are drinking beautifully now.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Waxy white peach and quince with a saline, stony edge and real textural grip on the finish.
When should I drink this wine?
It's drinking well now and will hold nicely until 2030.
What food should I pair it with?
Grilled sardines, jamón, calçots with romesco, or an aged sheep's milk cheese all work well.
How should I serve it?
Serve at 10-12°C in a tulip-shaped white wine glass, no decanting required.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Not one for the long haul, but it will happily hold its character for a few years yet.
What grape is this made from?
100% Xarel·lo, a Catalan variety usually reserved for Cava, here shown as a serious still white.
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Discuss your requirements with our account managers, Stephanie, Ed, & Jen
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Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.