Winemaker Notes
With the looming threat of plans to build a cement quarry adjacent to his home, Carlos Esteva mobilized all his resources to preserve the natural setting of his corner of the Garraf Massif. Along with the purchase came some vineyards, and a new project was born, Terraprima. Here organically farmed Xarelo.lo and Riesling is blended together to make a mineral and vibrant wine. Typical of Carlos’ approach to winemaking, after aging for 3 months in tank, it is aged an additional year in bottle before release.
With hundreds of white grape varieties to choose from, winemakers have the freedom to create a virtually endless assortment of blended white wines. In many European regions, strict laws are in place determining the set of varieties that may be used in white wine blends, but in the New World, experimentation is permitted and encouraged. Blending can be utilized to enhance balance or create complexity, lending different layers of flavors and aromas. For example, a variety that creates a soft and full-bodied white wine blend, like Chardonnay, would do well combined with one that is more fragrant and naturally high in acidity. 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.
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.