Penedes, Spain
DO Cava
Although a blend of Macabeo and Chardonnay, the varietals are hand-harvested, fermented and macerated separately. There's 6 months of aging before blending. Like all traditional method sparkling wines, secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle where it spends a year on lees. This is fruity and juicy with the classic toasty, biscuit notes that come from the lees aging. The foam is creamy, the citrus notes are tangy and tart, there's a little whiff of delicate white flowers and flinty minerality. Crisp, refreshing and the perfect compliment to an early evening aperitif or keep it simple with some snacking popcorn.
More Info
Vino de Pago is Spain's highest designation for wine and this winery is one of less than 20 in the country to receive this special recognition. Located about 40 minutes from Valencia, wine production around this area has been less than exemplary but modernizations in winemaking and investments into the area have galvanized an astounding transformation here. Grapes are grown both organically and biodynamically with most of the vineyards at elevations of 740-850 meters above sea level.
In 1990, the winery took the difficult decision to uproot nearly all vines and to replant the entire vineyard, save a few old vines of Garnacha and Bobal. Today, the winery benefits from a microclimate within the region, with the vineyards considered part of a regional nature reserve. An old part of the winery is part of national Spanish heritage, dating back to 1870, and known simply as "El Carrascal" back then.