Sarment Wines & Spirits is expanding its Spanish wine selection, forging a partnership with one of Spain’s up and coming young gun winemakers Elias Lopez Montero.

Ulterior, from Bodegas Verum, is a stunning range of indigenous Spanish varieties that encapsulates the true quality potential of Castilla-La Mancha, and is now available through Sarment in Greater China.

Ulterior is a groundbreaking project that moves far beyond the boundaries of Castilla-La Mancha’s reputation as a region for bulk wine production. Focused on recovering Spanish legacy varieties to prepare for the future of wine production in the region in the face of climate change, Ulterior embodies a truly cutting-edge and pioneering spirit.

Using traditional varieties and age-old, low intervention winemaking techniques such as the use of amphoras, large old oak and organic grape production, Elias Lopez Montero has been recognized by Pedro Ballestros MW as one of the top young winemakers changing the wine scene in Spain. The Ulterior Graciano 2016 (it’s very first vintage!) was awarded 95 points by Decanter Magazine, the highest score for this variety.

As a leader in the boutique, hand-crafted, and luxury wines and spirits segment in Asia, this new partnership demonstrates Sarment’s trailblazing nature, forging a path to unearth the hidden gems that Spain has to offer.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be launching my Ulterior wines with Sarment in Greater China”, says Elias Lopez Montero. “As one of the leading importers of high end, boutique, family owned wineries in the region, I am honored that Sarment has chosen Ulterior to be part of their portfolio, alongside producers that I have always admired such as Domaine Chapoutier, Harlan Estate, Roagna, Gaja and Pares Balta.”

Mario Aron, CEO at Sarment said: “The Spanish wine category in Greater China is waiting for a brand like Ulterior to arrive and bring Spain’s quality and uniqueness closer to Chinese consumers. Ulterior and Sarment are based on the same philosophy, namely to bring excitement and honesty to consumers. We are proud to represent this exciting, cutting edge brand in our portfolio.”

The Ulterior wines currently available through Sarment are:

- Ulterior Albillo Real 2016 (91 points, James Suckling). A stunning and utterly distinctive white wine made from the indigenous Albillo variety. Aged for 6 months in amphora giving this a beautiful texture and volume alongside nervy acidity and notes of aromatic herbs, red apple, quince and an umami. Beautiful food wine.

- Ulterior Garnacha 2016 (92 points, James Suckling). Floral and elegant with aromas of red fruits and a subtle earthy touch adding complexity. There are currants, cherry, liquorice and a subtle spicy note that brings vibrancy. The intensity of aromas, silky sensation and freshness are surprising in the mouth. It represents everything that has made many people become "garnachista", that is, falling in love with this variety. The tannin is noble and brings structure, making it a round wine. It is persistent, both because of the aromas it gives us, faithful to the memory of the nose, and because of its acidity.

- Ulterior Graciano 2016 (95 points, Decanter Magazine). An intense yet lifted red wine with a beautiful floral character of violets, lavender and other aromatic herbs, typical of the Mediterranean scrubland that surrounds the vineyards. A solid background of black fruit and subtle cocoa with sweet, smooth tannins providing excellent structure and drawing onto a long, persistent finish.

Please contact Aurelian Guedes (aurelien.guedes@sarment.com) at Sarment for more information about Ulterior wines in Hong Kong and Dan Siebers (dan.siebers@sarment.cn) in Shanghai.

For more information about Ulterior wines in Asia please contact info@nimbilityasia.com

Bodegas Verum’s Ulterior makes its debut with Sarment Wines & Spirits in Greater China