Tag Archives: Xarel·lo

April Bubbly Club: Iowa

Posted on by

JC-Reserva-de-la-Familia-bottleJuvé & Camps
Reserva De La Familia
Gran Reserva Brut Nature
Cava
Penedès, Spain

Bubbly Wine ClubBUBBLY WINE STYLE

Brilliant yellow with golden highlights. Fruity on the nose, with fresh apple aromas, hints of white flowers, and Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary. Subtle notes of lightly toasted bread and nuts add depth. The brut nature style—without added sugar—highlights its fresh yet profound character, complemented by finely integrated bubbles.

Varietal: 50% Xarel·lo, 35% Macabeu, 15% Perallada
Appellation: Penedès, Spain
Analysis: 12% alcohol / volume
Vinification: Traditional Method
Minimum Aging: 36 months
Dosage: Brut Nature – No Dosage
Vineyards: Espiells, La Cuscona, Mediona
Soil: Loam-limestone, Clay-limestone
Viticulture: Organic Certification

Origin:
Crafted from the trilogy of white grape varieties native to Penedès. Xarel·lo and Macabeo are sourced from estates in Espielles and La Cuscona, with loamy limestone soils at altitudes of 200-250m. The Parellada is grown in Mediona, at 500-750m elevation with clay-limestone soils.

Viticulture:
The organically managed vineyards are surrounded by forests and hedgerows, fostering biodiversity and natural balance. Regenerative viticulture ensures optimal conditions with minimal environmental impact.

Winemaking:
The grapes are gently crushed to extract free-run juice. The must undergoes static settling at low temperatures. The first fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks before secondary fermentation in the bottle. Aged for 36 months without the addition of expedition liqueur.

Vintage:
The 2021 vintage marks the onset of a drought cycle, yet water reserves helped vines produce wines with exceptional fruitiness, aging potential, and complexity.

About Juvé & Camps:
A family-owned winery in Penedès, Spain, producing premium Cava since 1921. Their flagship Gran Reserva Cavas, such as Reserva de la Familia, exemplify quality through organic farming and traditional methods. Learn more about Juvé & Camps

cremant-de-loire-blanc-brut-bottleLanglois-Château
Crémant de Loire Blanc Brut
France

Bubbly Wine ClubBUBBLY WINE STYLE

“The Langlois Crémant de Loire Blanc Brut is still our winery’s emblematic cuvée with freshness, balance, and elegance.”

Pale yellow in color, the nose is complex with white flowers, linden and hawthorn. The mouth is fresh, delicate and refined.

Varietal: Chenin Blanc (at least 50%), Chardonnay & Cabernet Franc
Terroirs: The grapes come from mainly Saumur terroirs but also from Anjou and Touraine: sand-limestone, clay-limestone & shale
Aging Potential: 3 to 5 years
Ideal Serving Temperature: 46.4ºF – 50ºF
Food Pairing: Its freshness, fine bubbles and elegance make Langlois Crémant de Loire Blanc Brut a reception wine par excellence, aperitif, and cocktail dinner. It will also accompany apple and pear pies, or even a pear-chocolate crumble.

Harvest:
Harvested entirely by hand in pierced crates. Pneumatic pressing a few hours after harvesting. Juice selection during pressing separating Cuvées from Tailles.

Vinification:
Vinification by grape variety and terroir in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. Tasting of clear parcel wines to determine the blend. Maturing using the Méthode Traiditionnelle (secondary fermentation in the bottle). Aging on lees for at least 24 months.

About Langlois-Château: Founded in 1885, acquired by the Bollinger family in 1973, the winery now manages 95 hectares across Saumur, Saumur-Champigny, and Sancerre. Committed to sustainable viticulture, with 30 hectares in organic conversion. Learn more about Langlois-Chateau

Information & Photos © Juvé & Camps & Langlois-Chateau – All Rights Reserved

May Bubbly Club Iowa

Posted on by

Bubbly Wine Clubberceo-brut-cava-bottle-imageBodegas Manzanos
Berceo Brut
Cava, Spain

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

This Brut Cava D.O. is pale lemon, clean and bright in color; it has a good release of small bubbles that end up forming a cheerful crown of mousse. On the nose, there is a high intensity aroma dominated by citrus fruit (lemon, grapefruit) and dairy. Autolytic and honey aromas of aging in bottle are distinguished. On the palate, this wine is fresh, fruity and pleasant with balanced acidity and very good aromatic persistence. 

Varietal: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Terroir: Grapes varieties are from vineyards located in the Penedès region. It’s the territory between the sea and mountains, halfway between Barcelona and Tarragona. It has a great diversity of microclimates, a consequence of its proximity to the coast and its altitude. The climate is typically Mediterranean, mild and warm.
Serving Suggestions: Risotto, shellfish, smoked foods or aperitif. 

Winemaking:
Made using the “méthode champenoise” or “traditional method” of the Cava DO. Blend or coupage of the traditional varieties of the appellation. Second fermentation in the bottle, as is traditional, with subsequent aging. Disgorgement and subsequent addition of the expedition liquor or dosage.
 
About Berceo:
In the XIII Century, a monk and poet named Gonzalo de Berceo lived in La Rioja, in the Monastery of Suso. At that time, the languages spoken in the area were Arabic and Basque. Back then, Latin was the only written idiom. Gonzalo de Berceo dared to write in Spanish, in a religious poem that also made mention to wine. Since then, Berceo was a very important link between history and wine culture.
 
About Bodegas Manzanos:
The history of Manzanos Wines is the story of a family, their effort, their perseverance and their know-how. The Fernández de Manzanos have been cultivating vineyards and producing wines for more than a century. It was exactly in 1890 when the first generation of the Fernández de Manzanos family established a small winery in Azagra with a capacity of 50,000 liters of wine. Nowadays, the public faces of Bodegas Manzanos are those of the brothers Víctor, and David Fernández de Manzanos, as well as Laura Mateo, wife of the former. In 2010, these young entrepreneurs took the reins of the winery to turn Bodegas Manzanos into a prosperous business, modern and endowed with the latest technologies in the field. A business that has managed to preserve the old flavor of tradition and its legacy. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Bodegas Manzanos – All Rights Reserved

EmmoloSparklingNo.5Emmolo
Sparkling No. 6
California

BUBBLY WINE STYLE

The nose features notes of Meyer lemon blossom, baked brioche, pear and a hint of green apple with vibrant minerality. The palate is fresh but complex. Satsuma citrus with echoes of pear. Opens round and creamy, then turns zesty with bright natural acidity carrying through to the finish.

Varietal: 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir – Being non-vintage allows the winery to build a desired character that is serious, yet light and fresh.
Style differentiator: A prolonged en tirage for 41 months gives this wine creaminess and depth. Extremely fine bubbles provide elegance.
Dosage: 2021 Chardonnay from Monterey gives this wine some of its fresh character.
Vineyards: Monterey, Sonoma and Santa Barbara counties. The extended growing season in these cooler coastal regions leads to wine of heightened complexity.
Serving Suggestions from Winemaker, Jenny Wagner: Cheese puff with biscuit dough, smoked salmon tartine, popcorn or just enjoy on its own.

Winemaker Notes:
“My goal is to create an elegant wine with a richly developed character. Even tough this is a California sparkling, I take inspiration from my favorite Champagnes.” – Jenny Wagner, Owner and Winemaker

About the Winery:
“Emmolo is the name of my mom’s side of the family, which has a long farming history in Napa Valley.  My mom, Cheryl Emmolo, has no brothers and wanted to keep the name alive. She dreamed of making wine using family vineyards, and I feel very fortunate that she passed the reins on to me. When I showed my first wine to my grandparents, it was very emotional for all of us.” – Jenny Wagner

Emmolo Winery, established by Cheryl Emmolo in 1994, is deeply rooted in the rich wine history of Napa Valley. Cheryl’s vision was to honor her family’s long-standing tradition in the region, dating back to her grandfather, who operated a vine nursery in the 1920s. Today, her daughter Jenny Wagner has taken the helm as the winemaker, emphasizing minimalist winemaking techniques that showcase the unique characteristics of their varietals. Through a delicate balance of tradition and innovation, Emmolo continues to produce exceptional wines that are a tribute to their heritage and a delight to wine enthusiasts. Learn more here.

Photo and Information © Emmolo – All Rights Reserved

Bubbly Wine ClubLearn more about our Bubbly Club >