We had a very lovely visit one delicately rainy day with Raventós i Blanc in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. I was excited to see the winery and meet the faces behind the bottles as I really enjoy their Cava. To be honest, it was one of the first I actually really liked.
After walking the beautiful vineyards (with borrowed boots- thanks!) and seeing the cellar and bottling/disgorging line, which was rented in preparation for the busy holiday season, we sat down to taste. (See the link above to see Christina’s video of the “fancy disgorging machine.” They had been doing almost all disgorgement by hand up until not long ago.)
Fast facts: we were standing pretty much where Spanish Champagne method sparkling wine was first thought of as a possibility in 1872 by Josep Raventós i Fatjo. That’s right, RAVENTOS. Pretty cool, huh? Cava used to be called Champán, but that became a no-no with those controlling Frenchies. So, Josep Raventós i Blanc- the other Josep’s grandson- created the D.O. Cava (which means cave, as in wine cave) in the early 1970′s. This D.O. protects the style of winemaking- traditional/Champagne method- not necessarily a defined region, but 95% of Cava production happens in the Penedès.
In summation- this is the OG Cava.
We tasted a few of their still white wines, but the Cava is where it’s at. And they know it- it accounts for most of their production. Raventós does all single vintage bottlings, instead of the more common NV (non vintage) found in the majority of Cava. They use all estate fruit and farm organically.
More fast facts: the autochthonous grapes found in Cava are almost always parellada, xarel-lo (thought to be the star of the show) and macabeo. Monastrell and garnatxa are the red grapes you usually find blended in for rosado Cava. Good ole chardonnay and pinot noir are also present in some blends.
Just look at that! How can you not want to drink it? We tried the 2006 Gran Reserva de la Finca and 2007 de Nit Rosado. Hands down favorite was the Rosado. It’s a wine I’ve had before and I liken it to little dancing strawberries in pink tutus. It’s just pretty as hell- to look at and to drink.
But, both of the wines were great and proof that Cava is much more than some supermarket plonk and “a cheap option for a party.” The Raventos Cava is elegant, sophisticated, refined. And you know what? Still a pretty affordable option for a party. Take one of these to a Holiday shindig and you’re a guaranteed hero.
Further reading: This is a great post over at Catavino about the history of Raventós, the inception of Cava and its family ties to megawinery Cordoniu.
Photo of old vine xarel-lo courtesy of Raventós.
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