There is an old yellow Citroën 2CV that has become closely tied to the story of Venus La Universal.
Sara Pérez divides her time between Venus in Montsant and her family estate, Mas Martinet, in neighbouring Priorat. The two cellars are separated by a ten-minute drive along a narrow, winding mountain road, a journey she has long made in the old Citroën.
The car was painted to match the distinctive yellow used on the Venus labels. Over time, it became one of the most recognisable images associated with the winery, appearing in photographs and artwork as well as on the doors of the Venus cellar.
It is a fitting introduction to the project: personal, practical and unmistakably theirs.
Sara Pérez and René Barbier
Sara Pérez and René Barbier established Venus La Universal in Falset, Montsant, in 1999.
Both come from families that played an important part in the modern revival of Priorat. Sara is part of the family behind Mas Martinet, while René comes from the family behind Clos Mogador. Rather than simply continuing that work under another name, they chose neighbouring Montsant for their own project.
Venus La Universal began before Montsant was officially recognised as a separate appellation. Their focus has been on organic farming, local varieties and making wines that are expressive without relying on heavy extraction or excessive oak.
Although Montsant surrounds Priorat, it has its own identity. The region contains an unusually varied collection of soils, altitudes and exposures. Garnatxa and Carinyena are its central red varieties, capable of producing wines with ripe Mediterranean fruit, herbs, freshness and firm structure.
The vineyards behind Venus
Venus ‘La Universal’ is the namesake red of the estate, made from Carinyena, Garnatxa and Syrah.
The Garnatxa and Carinyena come largely from old vineyards situated between Piñana and Crossos. The vines grow on a hill with both northern and southern exposures, providing different ripening conditions within a relatively small area.
The soils are deep and clay-limestone based, retaining enough moisture to support the vines through the warm, dry growing season. This allows the grapes to ripen gradually rather than simply accumulating sugar in the heat. The Syrah comes from the Venus La Universal estate.
The vineyards are harvested and processed separately. Where the conditions of the vintage allow, the fruit is eventually fermented together. Whole berries are used, along with a portion of stems from the Garnatxa, and fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts.
Extraction is deliberately gentle, with light pigeage during an extended maceration. The wine is then matured in large wooden vats and foudres. These larger vessels help build texture and complexity without leaving the wine dominated by new oak.
The 2021 is floral and perfumed, with ripe red cherry, darker fruit, dried herbs and an earthy, Mediterranean savoury character.
It has real depth, but it does not feel dense or overworked. Fine tannins and bright acidity keep the wine fresh and energetic, with enough structure to continue developing in bottle.
Sara and René describe Venus as a juicy wine intended to accompany food, particularly Mediterranean cooking. That is an important part of its character. Despite the detailed farming and long élevage behind it, this is not a wine that needs ceremony. It is serious, layered and age-worthy, but still intended to be opened and shared around the table.
Serve it at around 16°C and give it some time in a decanter or a large glass. It would be particularly good with grilled vegetables, aubergine, mushrooms, lentils, tomato-based dishes or mature cheeses.
The yellow Citroën may be the first thing you notice about Venus La Universal, but the wine explains why the project has earned such a strong following.
Venus ‘Sindicat la Figuera Vi Sec’ Garnatxa Negre 2023
This wine comes from La Figuera, one of the highest villages in Montsant, where a small cooperative of six growers works with old bush-vine Garnatxa.
The fruit is fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for eight months in underground concrete tanks, with winemaking overseen by Sara Pérez and René Barbier Jr of Venus La Universal.
It is a lighter, fresher expression of Montsant, with wild strawberry, red cherry, mountain herbs and floral notes. Juicy and energetic, with chalky freshness, fine tannins and no heavy oak getting in the way.
Vi sec means “dry wine” in Catalan. Simple name for a very good bottle.
Venus ‘La Universal’ 2021
There is an old yellow Citroën 2CV that has become closely tied to the story of Venus La Universal.
Sara Pérez divides her time between Venus in Montsant and her family estate, Mas Martinet, in neighbouring Priorat. The two cellars are separated by a ten-minute drive along a narrow, winding mountain road, a journey she has long made in the old Citroën.
The car was painted to match the distinctive yellow used on the Venus labels. Over time, it became one of the most recognisable images associated with the winery, appearing in photographs and artwork as well as on the doors of the Venus cellar.
It is a fitting introduction to the project: personal, practical and unmistakably theirs.
Sara Pérez and René Barbier
Sara Pérez and René Barbier established Venus La Universal in Falset, Montsant, in 1999.
Both come from families that played an important part in the modern revival of Priorat. Sara is part of the family behind Mas Martinet, while René comes from the family behind Clos Mogador. Rather than simply continuing that work under another name, they chose neighbouring Montsant for their own project.
Venus La Universal began before Montsant was officially recognised as a separate appellation. Their focus has been on organic farming, local varieties and making wines that are expressive without relying on heavy extraction or excessive oak.
Although Montsant surrounds Priorat, it has its own identity. The region contains an unusually varied collection of soils, altitudes and exposures. Garnatxa and Carinyena are its central red varieties, capable of producing wines with ripe Mediterranean fruit, herbs, freshness and firm structure.
The vineyards behind Venus
Venus ‘La Universal’ is the namesake red of the estate, made from Carinyena, Garnatxa and Syrah.
The Garnatxa and Carinyena come largely from old vineyards situated between Piñana and Crossos. The vines grow on a hill with both northern and southern exposures, providing different ripening conditions within a relatively small area.
The soils are deep and clay-limestone based, retaining enough moisture to support the vines through the warm, dry growing season. This allows the grapes to ripen gradually rather than simply accumulating sugar in the heat. The Syrah comes from the Venus La Universal estate.
The vineyards are harvested and processed separately. Where the conditions of the vintage allow, the fruit is eventually fermented together. Whole berries are used, along with a portion of stems from the Garnatxa, and fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts.
Extraction is deliberately gentle, with light pigeage during an extended maceration. The wine is then matured in large wooden vats and foudres. These larger vessels help build texture and complexity without leaving the wine dominated by new oak.
THE WINE:
R920.00Add to basket
Venus ‘La Universal’ 2021
The 2021 is floral and perfumed, with ripe red cherry, darker fruit, dried herbs and an earthy, Mediterranean savoury character.
It has real depth, but it does not feel dense or overworked. Fine tannins and bright acidity keep the wine fresh and energetic, with enough structure to continue developing in bottle.
Sara and René describe Venus as a juicy wine intended to accompany food, particularly Mediterranean cooking. That is an important part of its character. Despite the detailed farming and long élevage behind it, this is not a wine that needs ceremony. It is serious, layered and age-worthy, but still intended to be opened and shared around the table.
Serve it at around 16°C and give it some time in a decanter or a large glass. It would be particularly good with grilled vegetables, aubergine, mushrooms, lentils, tomato-based dishes or mature cheeses.
The yellow Citroën may be the first thing you notice about Venus La Universal, but the wine explains why the project has earned such a strong following.
R295.00Add to basket
Venus ‘Sindicat la Figuera Vi Sec’ Garnatxa Negre 2023
This wine comes from La Figuera, one of the highest villages in Montsant, where a small cooperative of six growers works with old bush-vine Garnatxa.
The fruit is fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for eight months in underground concrete tanks, with winemaking overseen by Sara Pérez and René Barbier Jr of Venus La Universal.
It is a lighter, fresher expression of Montsant, with wild strawberry, red cherry, mountain herbs and floral notes. Juicy and energetic, with chalky freshness, fine tannins and no heavy oak getting in the way.
Vi sec means “dry wine” in Catalan. Simple name for a very good bottle.
Venus ‘La Universal’ 2021