Vinos Irma
– Gredos, Spain
Two and a half years ago Wouter Blaasse, a 27-year-old Dutch wine enthusiast, made a life-altering decision to pursue his passion for winemaking. Leaving behind his Amsterdam bachelor’s degree, he embarked on a journey to Spain, immersing himself in the art of winemaking. His path led him from Alta Allela to Partida Creus and eventually to Vinos Ambiz in Madrid, where he seized the opportunity to create his own wine.
Equipped with limited resources—a fermentation tank, press, and a small destemming machine—Wouter embarked on a journey that culminated in the birth of his debut wine, “Focus.” This wine is a 50/50 blend of Garnacha and Chelva grapes, which underwent 30 days of semi-carbonic maceration. The two grape varieties were destemmed and macerated together in a large plastic tub for four days. Subsequently, the wine was pressed and left to mature in stainless steel tanks.
The grape varieties chosen for “Focus” pay homage to the Sierra de Gredos wine region, where Wouter crafted this blend. He believes that wine should reflect its place of origin, and his selection of these specific grapes embodies this philosophy. The Garnacha imparts fresh red fruit aromas and subtle acidity, while the Chelva adds tropical notes and hints of salinity. The result is a red claret-style wine that is accessible and appeals to a wide range of palates. Only 700 bottles were made.
Natural Wine Festival A’dam is proud to present Vinos Irma to the Dutch market.
Cultivation (ha): N/A
Production (quantity): 700 bottles (2022), 800-1,000 bottles (2023)
Varieties: Garnacha, Chelva and (2023 only) Syrah.
Approach: Low intervention winemaking with basic equipment, nothing added or removed.
Certifications: N/A
Added sulfites: N/A
