What?
Juice 2018 Raventós i Blanc, Blanc de Blancs, Cataluña, SPA
Grape 40% Xarel-lo, 35% Macabeo, 20% Parellada, 5% Malvasía de Sitges
Farming Certified Biodynamic, Certified Organic, Vegetarian, Vegan
Tasting Note The nose has delicate notes of citrus fruits, white flowers and soft Mediterranean herbs. The palate is round and well-balanced with a superb freshness, fine bubbles and mineral notes on the persistent finish.
Who?
Raventós i Blanc is owned by one of Spain’s most historic winemaking families with a viticultural tradition dating back to 1497. They have been at the forefront of Cava production since Josep Raventós Fatjó produced Spain’s first traditional method sparkling wine in 1872 from Xarel-lo grown on their estate. Today, Raventós i Blanc is run by Pepe Raventós, who aims to “convey our viticultural traditions, the strength of our land and the characteristics of our soils,” Pepe took the decision to leave the Cava DO in 2012, in order to focus on the estate’s 50 hectares of vines in the more distinctive Conca del Riu Anoia region.
Why?
The decision for Pepe Raventós to leave the Cava DO is testament to their dedication to produce some of, if not the finest sparkling wines in Spain. The wines talk of the specific ‘terroirs’ found in the Conca del Riu Anoia sub region of Penedes and we challenge you to find a sparkling wine made in the traditional method (second fermentation in the bottle) as good as this, anywhere in the world at the same price point.
With?
The perfect wine to start an evening, dry, saline and refined, it would be the ideal partner for salty, tart and savoury little morsels, many of which hail from the villages surrounding Penedes. Think Guildas with Anchovies, Guindillas (pickled chillis) and green olives. The salinity on the finish immediately makes our minds drift to the lovely autolytic character of Oysters or even the saltiness of Rosemary rind Manchego or Murcia with the freshness cutting through the creamy, salty character of the cheese.