Cara Nord Blanc 2012
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Altitude: 800 m above sea level.
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Made by the highly talented Tomàs Cusiné, this is a blend of 40% Macabeo, 40% Chardonnay and 20% Albariño. Run through with lovely freshness, it delivers lively apple and lime fruit, and has a beautiful weight which is accentuated by textural creamy notes that come to the fore on the finish.
In 2012 they felt the call of “Mountain Viticulture” and threw themselves wholeheartedly into the CARA NORD project, aiming to: Starting with the vineyard and with their small winery located within the historic Monastery of Poblet, in March 2012 they embarked on this great wine-making adventure. Viticulture up to 800m above sea level, as is the case at CARA NORD, takes place in a very particular and demanding geographical environment that poses constant challenges. But Tomas, Xavier and Eric are convinced that vineyards grown on rocky land, in unpolluted air, and surrounded by untouched biodiversity, will result in the creation of original wines with unique organolèptic qualities.
The wines of the North Face CARA NORD, give hints of the Prades Mountains: their altitude, steep inclines, deep vallies, poor and hostile soil, and dramatic scenery. In facing north, CARA NORD is exposed to extreme contrasts in temperature; the air is healthy, energising and positive. Adventure, difficulty and the concept of finding one’s limitations can all be found in the CARA NORD vines. You have to slow down to really see the land, it makes you want to be close, to get closer still.
CARA NORD wines remind us of the beauty, the magnetic attraction and the challenges of mountain viticulture.
It is an environment that demands technique and precision; only those with ability and experience know how to make the altitude shine through. Few will be able to enjoy the pleasure given by the CARA NORD wine as production is limited. CARA NORD creates sincere and bold wines, with transparency, where everything is as it seems and is inspired by respect for the mountains that surround us.
The CARA NORD vines grow at altitude in the Prades Mountains, under difficult conditions, creating unusual wines which truly reflect this clean and unpolluted environment. The vineyards are situated in Spain within the Domination of Origin Conca de Barbera, where there are still new treasures to be discovered.
White grapes are used in two famous types of Spanish wine, Sherry and Cava, but we will limit this discussion to still whites. Let’s begin with perhaps the best known and most highly regarded internationally, Albariño . Produced in the region of Rías Baixas, just above Portugal in northwestern Spain, Albariño typically sees no or little oak and is medium to medium-plus in body. Aroma and flavor notes often include citrus and peach, often with subtle floral notes and a suggestion of sea spray, giving the wine a zesty feel. Often bottled as a single varietal, Albariño is sometimes blended with other indigenous grapes like Loureira and Treixadura. Try one of these Spanish whites from Forjas del Salnes.
Let’s look at a few other Spanish white wines. Godello also hails from northwestern Spain and presents a profile of grapefruit, minerality and a slight smoky quality. Enjoy a bottle from Bodegas Avancia. The region of Rueda, northwest of Madrid, is home to Verdejo , which makes refreshing, un-oaked white wines whose herbal vibrancy recalls Sauvignon Blanc . Protos makes a tasty version. Up north in the Basque region, we find the wine called Txakoli (sometimes called Txakolina). Pronounced “sha-ko-LEE,” it’s made from a local grape called Hondurrabi Zuri and is light, fresh, citrusy, dry … and with razor sharp acidity that makes it a fantastic partner with local seafood and tapas. Ameztoi Gertariako is a good Spanish white wine producer to check out.
The Penedѐs region, best known for the oceans of delicious Cava it sends to the world, also produces still Spanish whites, sometimes from international varieties like Chardonnay , and often from the same grapes used for Cava. These include Parellada, Xarel-lo and Macabeo. Avaline produces a fine example of Penedes white. Finally, we visit the Rioja region. While it is historically and internationally famous for its reds, Rioja also produces fine Spanish white wines. These are usually based on Viura (the local name for Macabeo) and make good everyday sippers, although some aged versions can be stunningly complex. A good place to start is the white Rioja from Bodegas Muga.
As you can see, Spanish white wines offer a vast opportunity for exploration!