Ramon Jane 'Baudili' Blanco 2022

Press 4 Mix / Press 4 White • January 2023 Direct Press Selection

There’s a strong movement of natural winemakers in Catalonia championing biodynamic farming, and Ramon Jané and his wife Mercè, are super involved in sharing experiences and furthering the understanding of such practices in their region.  

The couple has two distinctive projects: the accomplished and beautifully composed wines of Mas Candi, a project focused on native Catalan varieties run alongside friend and fellow champion of biodynamics Toni Carbo; and their personal project bearing Ramon’s name, featured here. In comparison, wines under the Ramon Jané label feel a bit more irreverent, with a playful brightness and accessibility to the wines (some of this may be chalked up to the absence of added sulfur) but don’t get it twisted: it takes a lot of trial and error to make wines that feel this breezy and effortless, and this commitment to natural farming and winemaking is a big part of this - finding purity and expression in simplicity.

'Baudiili' is made from Xarel-lo and Parellada grown in Ramon’s family estate.  Vines between 10-25 years old, grown on calcareous clay soils. The vineyard is not tilled: true minimal intervention agriculture. Grapes are chilled then pressed into stainless steel tanks and fermented with indigenous yeasts and no additions. The wine is refreshing, breezy, with a slight carbonation when first opened — giving it some movement — and settling down after it's open for a few minutes. Salted melon, crunchy honeycrisp apple type fruit. The perfect aperitif and a safe bet to revisit on day 2. Bruno Sant'Anna