Vendrell Rived “Serè”
MONTSANT, SPAIN | 2023
Devotees of our monthly wine club will recognize the name Vendrell Rived, last month we introduced you to Josep Maria’s old vine cuvée, L’Alleu. This month, we are excited to share what we consider one of the best values in Montsant, Serè.
I first met Josep M. Vendrell Rived when a close friend of mine was beginning his own wine journey in the region. Albert Jané of Acústic Celler produced his first two vintages in Josep Maria’s cellar, a generous gesture emblematic of the collegial spirit that still defines Montsant.
Today, Vendrell Rived remains a small, family run estate, dedicated to Montsant’s two defining varieties, Garnatxa (Grenache) and Carinyena (also known as Samsó or Carignan), and to producing wines that are deeply rooted in place and tradition.
Josep Maria began bottling wine under his own label in 2000, after years of working at the local Capçanes cooperativeand selling the grapes he farmed. At that time, Montsant had yet to be established as its own DO, and the wines were classified under the broader Tarragona appellation. His vineyards, many planted to old vines, are located in Marçà and Capçanes, two of the most highly regarded zones within Montsant.
I have always been impressed by Josep Maria as a farmer. The vineyards are farmed organically, without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides, and are regularly plowed to encourage deep root systems. This approach not only improves drought resistance, but also allows the wines to clearly express their underlying terroir.
Serè is the entry point in Vendrell Rived’s red wine lineup. A blend of 80 percent Garnatxa and 20 percent Carinyena, sourced from vineyards between 20 and 40 years old, the wine is fermented with native yeasts in tank and aged for several months in used French oak barrels.
The resulting wine offers ripe aromas of raspberry, blackberry, and freshly cracked pepper. On the palate, the fruit is generous and expressive, with brambly red and dark fruit notes, savory herbs, and soft, approachable tannins. A classic winter red, equally enjoyable on its own or alongside a traditional meat focused paella or a wild mushroom risotto.