The 2011 Flor d’Albera is produced from the aromatic Muscat grape grown on slate soils aged in oak barrels for one year. The wood is imperceptible and is perfectly integrated into the wine, with a very showy nose of orange blossom, jasmine and fresh grapes with some minty, balsamic hints. The palate is dry, fresh, balanced, with a pleasant bitter finish. Experiment with Asian food. An unusual dry Muscat full of character. Drink now-2016. Masia Carreras is the property if the Marti Fabra family since 1305. They have a long tradition as grape growers. More recently, in 1991, they started selling their wines in bottle. They have 27 hectares of vineyards with some very old Carinena, over 70 years of age. Serious, well-crafted Mediterranean wines here. A name to follow. Importer: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates from Spain, Dedham, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767

The 2009 Flor d'Albera is a pure Moscatel aged for 12 months in French oak barrels. It has an intriguing bouquet with touches of pine needles and melted wax. The palate is fresh and crisp on the entry with subtle peach and apricot flavours that combine towards a discrete ginger-tinged finish that just needs more persistency. Drink now. Celler Marti Fabra has been owned by the same family since 1293 and apparently, they are in possession of documents that indicate vines as far back as 1305 (vintage unavailable here.) The unfertile slate soils offer minerality to their wines and yields are kept naturally low. They focus primarily on Garnacha and Carinena, plus a little Moscatel. Importers: Jorge Ordonez, Fine Estates From Spain, MA; tel. (781) 461-5767 and www.indigowine.com in the UK.