Xarel-lo, Macabeu, and Parellada (traditional Cava grapes) with a small amount of Chardonnay
Bitlles River Valley, Penedes, Spain
multiple
Marine sediment embedded in the soil. For visual reference, refer to the producer’s terroir guide. (The soil representations look akin to artisanal snack bars.)
Organic, hand-harvested
Each varietal of the Estate (traditional Xarel·lo Macabeu and Parellada, and a small percentage of Chardonnay) are vinified separately. Careful and thorough tasting of types of blends lead to selecting the fullest and more complex flavor profile. Fermentation via indigenous yeasts occurs in stainless steel tanks. Hand harvest and hand-riddling. Disgorged upon order, after 28 months in bottle.. Dosage with still Xarel-lo grown on the estate. Less than 50,000 bottles produced. This wine is vegan.
drink now
13%
Damn good sparkling wine. Imagine a mouthful of dry pear pop rocks and dry orange bubblegum, et voila: tis the incipient rush of Castellroig on the palate. The roundness and tartness of citrus and pear and peach stone fruit cradled by a galaxy of tiny, tight bubbles leads to a toasted almond finish. Slight jasmine petal notes dancing around almost-ripe gooseberry and green apple. Silky coating of the mouth.. Slight salinity and white grapefruit on finish. Pleasant, dry, and long finish.
Artisanal popcorn (not sweet), jamon and cheese, Paella Valencia, mushroom croquettes, brunch heavy on the hollandaise or chicken and waffles.
The Sabaté i Coca family has produced wines for 135 years. The family is committed to the environment and uses organic products and biodynamic methods. They focus on producing high-quality sparkling wines using indigenous varieties. The winery is currently run by fourth generation winegrowers Marcel and Josep Sabaté.
Sabaté à Coca have 40 hectares of organically farmed vineyards from 18 different terroirs and 66 micro plots, all of which are fermented separately. Marcel Sabaté undertook a very detailed soil survey in order to identify these 18 distinct soil types and seeks to express their personality through the wines. The focus is the traditional trio of ‘Cava and Corpinnat varieties, Xarel·lo, Macabeo and Parellada, as well as a small selection of others.
There are two ranges of wines. Sabaté à Coca is the premium range and here the wines come from single plots and sometimes single varieties, and spend longer time on lees. The Castell-roig brand incorporates blends of different sites and terroirs.
Corpinnat is not Cava, but, in fact, was born from the idea that Cava did not have strict-enough rules to create a designation around quality and irrespective of indigenous grapes. Quality wine makers and vine growers were tired of competing with cheaper (quality and cost) DO Cava wines. The concept of Corpinnat was drawn up in 2015 and ratified by the EU in 2017 to adhere to growing indigenous regional grapes and organic farming practices. Corpinnat wines must age for 18 months (Cava can be as few as 6-9 months), creating a richer, denser sparkling wine. Traditional methods of harvest and vinification are also required: hand picking, hand riddling, and disgorging by hand. The indigenous grapes in the cepage must be 90%. Castell-Roig is an exceptional Corpinnat producer whose wines can compare and compete with cru-level Champagnes.
This wine hails from the same region, Bittles River, Penedes, as Cellar Pardas, which we introduced in November’s wine club. The Bitlles River, which flows through this valley, greatly influences the orography, humidity, wind direction, and soil types of the estate. Traditional varieties like Sumol, Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Malvasia are grown here, along with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Xarel-lo is a mineral-driven, herbaceous varietal that has notable salinity on the finish. Macabeo, produced in stainless still, tends to express floral, honeyed, and nutty notes. Parellada is noted for its white floral and white fruit notes, great acidity but low alcohol.
The Castell-roig Corpinnat Brut Reserva is an excellent addition to brunch celebrations or for New Year's Eve festivities. It's a wine that will impress any Champagne drinker–I should know!
