RECERCA

Perpignan, Roussillon

Recerca, meaning "research" in Catalan, is the project of partners in work and life Jessica Albero and Laurent Pujol. Nestled between the picturesque French Catalan villages of Vingrau and Paziols near Perpignan, they produce natural wines from their roughly 9ha of vines. Since their first vintage in 2018, Jessica and Laurent have been dedicated to capturing the vibrant essence of their terroir, despite the increasingly sunny and warm climate of southern France.

Recerca is deeply rooted in Laurent's family heritage. The journey began with a single inherited hectare, which he and Jessica then supplemented by leasing an additional 2.5 hectares from local retiring farmers. However, the initially leased vineyards presented significant challenges in terms of cultivation. Faced with these difficulties, Jessica and Laurent decided to purchase and plant their own vines, expanding their domaine significantly. By 2019, they had acquired and restructured a total of 7 hectares, focusing particularly on preserving the traditional white grape variety, Macabeu.

Today, Recerca encompasses 9 to 10 hectares of meticulously maintained vineyards. With an average vine age of around 30 years, and some as old as 80 years, their plots are planted with a diverse range of grape varieties including Muscat Petit Grains, Muscat d'Alexandrie, Mourvèdre, and Grenache Noir. However, it is Macabeu that occupies a special place in their hearts, with 4 hectares dedicated to this variety alone.

As is common in the area, they enjoy a diverse collection of terroirs, composed of marne, black schist, and argile-calcaire. Jessica and Laurent employ a meticulous, hands-on approach to vineyard management, ensuring that their vines are not only resilient but also capable of producing grapes that reflect the distinctiveness of their soil and climate.

In the cellar, their winemaking philosophy is one of minimal intervention. They harvest their grapes early, ensuring they retain the desired freshness and acidity. During vinification, no sulfur is added, and if used at all, SO2 levels are kept to a maximum of 2g/l. Recerca's wines are neither fined nor filtered, preserving their natural texture and complexity.

One of the primary challenges that Jessica and Laurent face is the region's intense heat and lack of moisture. They strive to balance grape maturity with the need to maintain lightness and freshness in their wines, a task that requires both skill and intuition. Their dedication to this balance is evident in the creative blending of red and white grape varieties, resulting in wines that are both innovative and expressive of their terroir.

Inspired by renowned winemakers like Alain Castex, Tom Lubbe, and Danjou-Banessy, Jessica and Laurent draw on their experiences working at Clos des Rouge Gorge to inform their practices. They are continuously evolving and experimenting, true to the name, in their quest to produce natural wines that are not only delicious but also a true representation of their environment. Their journey is a continual exploration, driven by passion, respect for tradition, and an unwavering commitment to sustainability.

Recerca currently produces around 25,000 bottles annually. Their wines, characterized by their fresh, vibrant profiles and minimalistic approach, have quickly garnered the attention and admiration of wine professionals and enthusiasts alike, and we couldn’t be more proud to represent them in the US.