Bodegas Naveran Clos del Pi 1998
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Bodegas Naveran is a premium Cava producer that uses estate-grown organic grapes. The Naveran family legacy began in 1901 and today, their estate owns 110 hectares (272 acres) of vines in the town of Torrelavit located in the Alt (high) Penedès subregion in northeastern Spain. Despite the fact that Cava is Spain’s largest volume wine export to the U.S., Cavas are made utilizing the same methods used in Champagne and have remained Spain’s best-kept secret for quality and value in wine. Unlike the majority of the big Cava houses that purchase most of their grapes, Naveran makes handcrafted Cavas from their own vineyards.
Proprietor Michel Gilleron Parellada's goal with this Cava is to show the purity, youth and bright flavor characters of this special place. Xarello (10%) and Chardonnay (20%) contribute body, Macabeo (40%) gives aromatic intensity and Parellada (30%) lends acidity to the wine. The organically grown (non-certified) vines were planted between the course of 1970 to 1995 and the soil is tended in clay and limestone soil at 252 m (827 ft) elevation. The Naveran estate's higher elevation allows the grapes to retain more natural acidity, which results in wines that are zesty, fresh and have expressive aromas. Naveran Brut Nature spends 18 months on lees after fermentation in the bottle to achieve greater depth, complexity, and long-lasting bubbles.
What makes this wine unique? Bodegas Naveran is 100% estate-owned and their vineyards are organically grown for higher quality control. Also, old vines result in smaller yields which increase concentration and grape quality. This winery also has its very own bottling production for all of their vintage cavas. Did you know 85% of the cavas made by Naveran are sold in France, the birthplace and home of Champagne?
With hundreds of red grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended red wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged resulting in a wide variety of red wine styles. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a red wine blend variety that creates a fruity and full-bodied wine would do well combined with one that is naturally high in acidity and tannins. Sometimes small amounts of a particular variety are added to boost color or aromatics. Blending can take place before or after fermentation, with the latter, more popular option giving more control to the winemaker over the final qualities of the wine.
How to Serve Red Wine
A common piece of advice is to serve red wine at “room temperature,” but this suggestion is imprecise. After all, room temperature in January is likely to be quite different than in August, even considering the possible effect of central heating and air conditioning systems. The proper temperature to aim for is 55° F to 60° F for lighter-bodied reds and 60° F to 65° F for fuller-bodied wines.
How Long Does Red Wine Last?
Once opened and re-corked, a bottle stored in a cool, dark environment (like your fridge) will stay fresh and nicely drinkable for a day or two. There are products available that can extend that period by a couple of days. As for unopened bottles, optimal storage means keeping them on their sides in a moderately humid environment at about 57° F. Red wines stored in this manner will stay good – and possibly improve – for anywhere from one year to multiple decades. Assessing how long to hold on to a bottle is a complicated science. If you are planning long-term storage of your reds, seek the advice of a wine professional.
A superior source of white grapes for the production of Spain’s prized sparkling wine, Cava, the Penedes region is part of Catalunya and sits just south of Barcelona. Medio Penedès is the most productive source of the Cava grapes, Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada. Penedes also grows Garnacha and Tempranillo (here called Ull de Llebre in Catalan), for high quality reds and rosès.