2022 Venus la Universal Dido BIO

2022 Venus la Universal Dido BIO is a characterful organic red from Montsant that beautifully reflects the finesse-driven style of Sara Pérez and René Barbier. Blending Garnacha, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, it offers both sensual fruit and a subtle, savoury complexity that makes it stand out in its category. Created as the ‘daughter’ of the iconic Venus cuvée, Dido has become a benchmark for elegant, contemporary Montsant wines with a distinctly personal touch.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2022 Dido BIO shows a vibrant ruby-red colour with youthful luminosity at the rim. The nose is expressive and inviting, with ripe red and black fruit—think cherry, raspberry and plum—wrapped in notes of Mediterranean herbs, subtle smoke, gentle spice from the Cabernet, and a hint of cedar and light oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, juicy and powerful yet remarkably poised. Layers of red and dark berries are supported by fresh acidity and firm but polished tannins, giving structure without heaviness. The smoky, herbal and slightly earthy nuances add depth, while the discreet oak and cedar notes lengthen the finish, which is notably long for the price point. Enjoyable now with a short aeration, it has the balance and concentration to evolve gracefully over the next 5–7 years, developing more tertiary complexity and silkier texture.

Production
Venus la Universal farms organically in the rolling hills of Montsant, where poor, stony soils and a Mediterranean climate tempered by altitude help produce concentrated yet finely balanced grapes. The vineyards are cultivated with a strong respect for biodiversity and minimal chemical intervention, ensuring healthy fruit that clearly expresses its origin. Grapes for Dido are harvested by hand, allowing strict selection in the vineyard and at the winery. Vinification follows a gentle, detail-focused philosophy: careful sorting, fermentation with controlled temperatures, and sensitive extraction to preserve freshness and aromatics rather than sheer power. The wine is then matured (often in a mix of vats and barrels) to integrate tannins and oak beautifully, while keeping the fruit and the signature ‘feminine’ elegance at the forefront.

Food & Serving
This Montsant red is highly versatile at the table and pairs beautifully with Mediterranean-inspired dishes such as herb-roasted lamb, grilled lamb chops, chorizo, roast chicken with thyme, and dishes featuring roasted peppers or aubergine. It also works well with hearty pasta, charcuterie and semi-hard cheeses like Manchego or aged Gouda. Serve at 16–18°C (60–64°F) to highlight its aromatic complexity and freshness. A short decant of 30–60 minutes is recommended in its youth to open up the bouquet and soften the tannins, especially if serving with richer, savoury dishes.

Producer
Venus la Universal is the personal project of celebrated winemaker Sara Pérez and her husband, René Barbier Jr., both central figures in the modern success of Priorat and Montsant. Sara comes from a legendary wine family—her father, José Luis Pérez, is one of Spain’s most influential oenologists—while she herself manages the renowned Clos Martinet estate and collaborates closely with her brother at Cims de Porrera. With Venus la Universal, she founded the ‘Compañia Universal de Vinos’ as a tribute to the small food and wine producers of the 1920s who dreamed of growth and quality. Venus, the flagship wine, is often described as the archetype of a ‘feminine’ Mediterranean red, and Dido is its exemplary, more approachable ‘daughter’. Their work has been instrumental in putting Montsant on the map for elegant, terroir-driven, organically farmed wines that rival some of Spain’s most famous regions.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.