Tinc Set: Iñigo from L'Olivera & Can Calopa

Iñigo pours his first glass at Weijnschenk near Amsterdam’s Museumplein. Wine importer Tinc Set flew him in from Catalonia to pour the wines of L’Olivera Cooperativa and Can Calopa. The format works: a broad lineup open, the maker himself across the table, and you can take your favourites home on the spot.

What is L’Olivera Cooperativa and Can Calopa?

L’Olivera Cooperativa has been employing people with a distance to the labour market since 1974. Wine sits inside a social project here: emotion, experience and a stable income in one. The aim is to let landscape and vineyard speak through the glass, and you taste it. Can Calopa is the sub-project focused on organic, natural and low-intervention wines.

Tasting notes

Cava Reserva Superior L’Olivera is 100% Macabeo. Vinification splits between wood and steel for balance and a fuller body. The second fermentation in bottle only happens when demand calls for it, so you may end up buying a vintage older than the one I just drank — sustainable in the right sense. Beautiful yellow in the glass, fine mousse, easy bubbles, apple and citrus without yeasty dominance. A richer take on Cava. €22

Blanc de Seré blends Xarel.lo, Macabeu, Parellada, Garnatxa Blanca, Malvasia and Chardonnay. Attractive yellow; fresh, fruity, accessible nose. Apple and minerals on the palate; slightly complex, but mostly fresh and fruity with medium acidity. €12

Airos Rosé is 100% Garnatxa. Slightly darker rose hue with herbal aromas, peach and apple. The palate brings raspberries, strawberries, dried herbs and spices. Low tannins, medium(+) acidity. €14

Tossudes is a blend of Garnatxa, Monastrell, Tempranillo and Trepat. Light red in the glass with cherry, raspberry and grapefruit zest on the nose. The palate follows with ripe cherries, fresh raspberries, spice, white pepper and rosemary. Bitter finish, medium tannins, medium-high acidity — a bold wine with a healthy stubborn streak. €15

Vinyes de Barcelona is the only wine actually born within Barcelona city limits. A complex red from Garnatxa and Syrah. Beautiful red colour, aromatic red fruit and red flowers with a spicy edge. The palate brings fresh red fruit, sage, mint and black pepper, with medium(++) tannins and medium(+) acidity. €27

Can Calopa Natural Wine is Sangiovese with Monastrell, spontaneously fermented into a deep purple with fresh barnyard, spice, cherry and tobacco aromas. The palate brings cherries, chocolate, vanilla and strawberries with medium tannins and acidity. Energetic and elegant — the kind of wine that lands. €19

My thoughts on the tasting

The full range of this Catalan project fit into one afternoon, traditional sitting next to newer styles. Thanks to Jip and Job for the invite, and to Iñigo for the stories behind the wines.