Organic Monastrell Rosado, Castano, Yecla

Ilusion is a project brought to life by Martín Alonso and Gloria Plaza in the Rioja Baja sub-zone of the region. Here, in their chalky, iron laced clay soils at around 700m of altitude, the two organically farm their 5 hectares with the utmost care according to the Fukuoka (author of “One Straw Revolution”) method. While it has been called “do nothing farming” for the lack of additions (neither chemical nor organic fertilizer) and general outlook that healthy cultivation is more about long-term planning and careful observation than it is about attempting to micromanage and control agriculture, Fukuoka farming has become trendy with some very respectable vignerons. Way before this came to pass, and before current luminaries such as Michael Pollan namechecked him, Alonso travelled to Japan nearly 30 years ago to learn from Fukuoka himself. Farming ideology aside, we should mention that this wine is a delicious, gulpable expression of Rioja: full of mixed berries and red fruits, juicy, delightful to drink.A great party red, and a guaranteed crowd pleaser!