Vineyards and winemaking
Casta Diva is made by Felipe Gutiérrez de la Vega from 100% Moscatel de Alejandría grown around his small winery in Parcent, Alicante. The estate's 12 hectares are farmed without formal organic certification but follow organic principles, while the warm Mediterranean climate allows the aromatic grapes to remain on the vine until very late in the season.
Late harvesting concentrates both sugar and flavour before the wine is matured in a varied selection of barrels, including Hungarian and Caucasian oak. This patient ageing adds spice and savoury depth to Moscatel's natural perfume while a light filtration preserves the wine's generous texture.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Bright amber-gold with copper reflections and a rich, glossy appearance.
Nose
Orange blossom, candied citrus and ripe nectarine are layered with raisin, honey, toasted almond and a delicate suggestion of liquorice root.
Palate
Lusciously sweet and concentrated, with marmalade, dried apricot and floral honey balanced by citrus freshness. Barrel spice and a faint bitter-orange note prevent the palate from becoming cloying, leading to a long finish of raisin, peel and warm spice.
Food pairing
Serve with tarte tatin, orange and almond cake, blue cheese or a baked custard scented with nutmeg. A small chilled glass also makes a satisfying finish to dinner on its own, with the 50cl format well suited to measured pours.
Background story
La Báscula was created by Ed Adams MW and South African winemaker Bruce Jack as a collaborative exploration of Spain's regional grapes and growers. Its name means weighing scales in Spanish, reflecting their aim of finding balance between ripe fruit, freshness, tradition and modern precision.
For Casta Diva, the pair looked to Felipe Gutiérrez de la Vega, whose passion for opera gives the wine its name and whose sweet Moscatels are among Alicante's most distinctive. The 2014 is now a mature expression, showing the deeper citrus, honey and spice notes that develop when late-picked Moscatel and varied oak are given time together.
