Paul Cheneau Lady of Spain Cava Brut
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Blend: 45% Macabeo, 40% Xarel-lo, 15% Parellada
The ancestors of the Giró Ribot family, a noble lineage, are closely tied to the Penedès region by bonds which go back over several generations of wine, Cava and spirit producers. The symphonic nature of this union has been key to the development of Paul Cheneau.
Giró Ribot is situated at the heart of the Appellation d’Origine Penedès. This beautiful area of Catalonia, halfway between the cities of Barcelona and Tarragona, is bordered to the south by the Mediterranean Sea and to the north by the spectacular and remarkable solid mass of Montserrat. Around 64,247 acres of natural paradise, witness to a long and noble historical tradition and a place where climatic and topographical conditions come together to form an ideal environment for cultivating and producing wines of the highest quality. While the solid mountain mass of Montserrat protects it from cold north winds, the proximity of the sea ensures mild temperatures. In addition, this Appellation d’Origine enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate. The winters are mild, the summers only moderately hot and there is not too much rain. The winery owns 247 acres of vineyards of the indigenous Macabeo, Xarello and Parellada grapes, with which Cavas are produced. The harvest is still hand picked, and second fermentation takes place in the bottle following the Traditional Method
A term typically reserved for Champagne and Sparkling Wines, non-vintage or simply “NV” on a label indicates a blend of finished wines from different vintages (years of harvest). To make non-vintage Champagne, typically the current year’s harvest (in other words, the current vintage) forms the base of the blend. Finished wines from previous years, called “vins de reserve” are blended in at approximately 10-50% of the total volume in order to achieve the flavor, complexity, body and acidity for the desired house style. A tiny proportion of Champagnes are made from a single vintage.
There are also some very large production still wines that may not claim one particular vintage. This would be at the discretion of the winemaker’s goals for character of the final wine.
Known for bold reds, crisp whites, easy-drinking rosés, distinctive sparkling, and fortified wines, Spain has embraced international varieties and wine styles while continuing to place primary emphasis on its own native grapes. Though the country’s climate is diverse, it is generally hot and dry. In the center of the country lies a vast, arid plateau known as the Meseta Central, characterized by extremely hot summers and frequent drought.
Rioja is Spain’s best-known region, where earthy, age-worthy Spanish reds are made from Tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache). Rioja also produces rich, nutty whites from the local Viura grape.
Ribera del Duero is gaining ground for Spanish wines with its single varietal Tempranillo wines, recognized for their concentration of fruit and opulence. Priorat, a sub-region of Catalonia, specializes in bold, full-bodied Spanish red wine blends of Garnacha (Grenache), Cariñena (Carignan), and often Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Catalonia is also home to Cava, a Spanish sparkling wine made in the traditional method but from indigenous varieties. In the cool, damp northwest Spanish wine region of Galicia, refreshing Spanish white Albariño and Verdejo dominate.
Sherry, Spain’s famous fortified wine, is produced in a wide range of styles from dry to lusciously sweet at the country’s southern tip in Jerez.