Celler Cooperatiu Espodol Vi Ranci Sec
Celler Cooperatiu Espodol Vi Ranci Sec is one of wine's great endangered styles: an unfortified, fully oxidative Catalan rancio sec at 14% ABV in a 750mL bottle. Old-vine Garnatxa blanca and Garnatxa rosat from Espolla's granite and schist soils ferment in concrete, then enter a three-tier solera inaugurated in 1950 — wine moves only every 3–4 years, bottled once a year in tiny quantities. The result: fresh walnut, curry spices, cocoa and a light bitterness that no other wine style delivers. Order it online at Del Mesa Liquor.
- ABV: 14%
- Size: 750mL
- Style: rancio sec / vi ranci — dry, unfortified, oxidative
- Grapes: old-vine Garnatxa blanca and Garnatxa rosat
- Solera: three-tier, started 1950; movements every 3–4 years
- Origin: Espolla, Empordà, Catalunya, Spain
Oxidation as an Art Form
Rancio sec predates modern winemaking — dry wines left in demijohns in the sun, then aged for decades in partially filled old oak, oxidizing slowly into something between wine and sherry. Most rancios made today are fortified; Espodol's is the rare unfortified expression, and the cooperative that makes it bottles only a trickle each year. It is a Slow Food-recognized tradition, an aperitif wine with the soul of a digestif, and once opened it keeps for 8–12 weeks — the oxidation that built it protects it. Browse more fortified and rancio wines, wine and our Spanish wine selection at Del Mesa Liquor.
Tasting Notes
Nose: fresh walnut, curry spices, cocoa, dried fruits, honey. Palate: dry and complex — walnut, spice, dried fruit, gentle bitterness. Finish: incredibly long, savory and nutty.
How to Enjoy
Serve slightly cool as an aperitif with smoked almonds and olives, or carry it through the meal — it handles roasted poultry, hard cheeses and even dessert. Take your time; this is a wine that rewards slow attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is rancio sec? A traditional Catalan style of dry, unfortified wine aged oxidatively in solera — nutty, savory and complex, like a dry sherry crossed with old Madeira.
Is it fortified? No — this is the rare unfortified expression, at 14% ABV.
How long does it keep open? 8–12 weeks — the oxidative style is naturally stable.
Adventurous drinkers in San Diego, CA: order Espodol Vi Ranci Sec online from Del Mesa Liquor.