2020 Còsmic Connexió Còsmica

Catalonia, Spain

“I am an old school farmer and grower: I work the vineyards, I produce the wine, I sell it and I close the circle. What's important is the quality of my wine, that it evolves well and that people like it.” – Salvador Batlle

I first had the opportunity to try this unique wine during our Orange Wine Festival last fall. Its unique complexity created many discussions amongst our staff and customers and a lot of people coming back for seconds!

Còsmic Connexió Còsmica translates to Cosmic Connection. This orange wine made by Còsmic Vinyaters with the Xarel·lo, Moscatel de Alejandría and Chardonnay varieties in Penedès Spain. Cosmic Vinyaters is run by Salvador Batlle, a viticulturist who works in two different landscapes of Catalonia, in the Alt Empordà and the Baix Penedès, with a total of 9.5 hectares of vineyards that are cultivated in the most natural way possible, using ecological and biodynamic agriculture. In the winery, the main priorities are minimal intervention and maximum respect for the natural environment where the grapes grow. As a result, they produce pure wines that perfectly reflect the terroir.

Salva began making wine as a teenager. He studied agriculture, viticulture, winemaking and solar energy. In 2011 he traveled to New Zealand to improve his English before returning to the Penedès in 2012. Unfortunately, Salva and his father butted heads, and so in 2013 he found a cellar in the small town of Agullana, Emporda, 15 minutes from the French border, that came with a few hectares of vines. Ultimately what he wanted to do was not be an extension of his parents but rather, to forge his own destiny.

Cosmic Connection comes from vines planted on shallow calcareous clay soils at 300-500 meters above sea level. They are cultivated using organic agriculture with biodynamic treatments based on plant infusions and taking into account the lunar phases. This wine is harvested by hand, with maceration on the skins for 8 days, pressed and spontaneously fermented with native yeasts in stainless steel tank, where it continues aging on fine lees for several months before being bottled unfined, unfiltered, and zero S02. Production is limited to 9,400 bottles.

Cosmic Connection hits you with mezcal-soaked pineapples, mango and sour patch kids. It has a floral and savoury nose and couples well with our sunny winter days in Calgary. Try pairing this orange wine with roasted vegetables and lamb or Korean Bibimbap.

$39.95