Winemaker Notes
Espenyalluchs is a 1 ha vineyard sourced from massale selections from the Nun vineyard. It’s a cool site at high altitude (300 m) on steep slopes at the limit of where Xarel.lo can ripen in Alt Penedès. The vineyard faces northeast which gives an even longer hang time while preserving acidity in the fruit. Spontaneou fermentation then aged on the lees in a combination of concrete eggs and used French oak.
Primarily associated with the Penedès region of Spain, Xarel-lo plays an important role in most Cava blends along with Parellada and Macabeo. Prized for its high levels of acidity and polyphenols, Xarel-lo adds strength, body and a distinct greengage or earthy character to these blends. Somm Secret—Just a few miles northeast of Barcelona, Xarel-lo vineyards around the town of Alella produce highly regarded still wines with fresh lemon and stone fruit flavors.
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.