YRMA
Awaken your senses with our unique wine, fermented in French oak barrels
YRMA is all about making wine, favouring quality first. It is a pleasant wine, produced from beginning to end in French oak barrels, made by the young viticulturist and oenologist Adrian Rivero, who is backed up by the international experience of his parents, oenologists themselves. This winery is run by the family, therefore our expertise enables us to have a special care in every step of the production.
The property of Calafuig is located in the Medio Vinalopó, close to the Sierra de Salinas. With its limestone soil and at an altitude of 600 meters (1900 feet), our vineyards of Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot benefit from a wide thermic amplitude all over the year. In this land of Alicante between olive trees and almond trees, there is a deep-rooted viticulture tradition. We make this wine respecting the soil, the land and its history, in a small scale production, to share with you the best of our vineyards.
Culture
The caracol serrano (Iberus Gualtieranus Alonensis), is an endemic snail of the southwest Iberian Peninsula, well known by its taste, which is due to its feeding based on rosemary, thyme and lavender, and to the peaceful and natural growing it has. It is an essential ingredient of the traditional dish of the region, rice with rabbit meat and snails.
The caracol serrano as well as our vineyards are surrounded by these fine herbs. And just like our wine, this snail represents an exquisite product and a fundamental part of the gastronomic culture in the Medio Vinalopó.
History
This adventure began in France, when two oenologists, Gabriel Rivero and his wife Adoración Martínez emigrated to Bordeaux (for 14 years) a remarkable destination in the world of wine, allowing them to get immersed in the “savoir faire” of the Médoc region.
Some years later they moved to Lebanon. In this interesting country in terms of viticulture due to its diversity of microclimates, altitudes, soils and grape varieties, they eventually launched a big winery project.
For some time, Gabriel kept working as an oenologist in the Ribera del Duero, a renown denominación de origen in Spain. In 2008 some friends suggested him to start a new project in Lebanon, launching a successful winery known today as Ixir.
His son, Adrian Rivero, interested in oenology, started to study and work in this field, helping his father in the Ribera del Duero and their new Lebanese winery. In his career path, he also worked for a while in Bordeaux, more precisely the Lalande Pomerol, following his parents’ footsteps. His brother Yvan Rivero opted for physiotherapy but was unable to give up his passion for wine and is still involved in the family plans.
In 2016 the Rivero Martínez family decided to finally let a trace in the world of wine. Sharing their vocation, by investing in a plantation in the Calafuig property and producing their wine. This land stands out at the altitude of 570 meters (1900 feet) and its soil of limestone and clay were some of the characteristics that convinced the family to choose this place for making their dream come true. Nowadays the wine Yrma comes from these vineyards cultivated with care and the experience of a long professional and vocational family path.
Varieties:
- Monastrell: this variety represents the identity of the region and is essential. It brings freshness, a pleasant blackberry aroma, and gives joy to the wine.
- Merlot: It brings a velvety and fruity taste on the palate and offers more complexity.
- Cabernet Sauvignon: for sure it highlights a ripe cherry aroma, but mainly gives structure to the wine that puts forward its cellaring potential.
Vinification and maturation:
- Fermentation is carried out in the barrel, with a wheel system underneath to enable the barrel to rotate. This way, we get round wines with supple tannins. It takes the French oak touch from the very beginning of fermentation, without covering up the bouquets of the grape varieties.
- The maturation in the oak barrels accentuates remarkably the characteristics previously described and is necessary to enjoy a balanced wine in its best conditions.
Tasting notes:
- Colour: Thanks to the appropriate production in all the phases, the wine is of correct clearness. Looking at the horizontal of the wineglass, we can observe its ruby red rim
- Nose: the oak and the fruits fuse together perfectly, making a complex wine with nots of berries, coffee and spices.
- Palate: the palate opens with a marked silky presence, lightly fat and balanced, making this wine elegant but easy to drink as well. These notes can be perceived on both taste and smell.