Privat Nu 2008 - Wine Gossip From Spain

Producer: Alta Alella
Wine Name: Privat Nu
Type: Sparkling (White)
Wine Region/ Appellation: Cava
Vintage: 2008
Grape varieties: 100% Xarel.lo (Pansa Blanca)
Alcohol: 12%
Guide Price: 20 €

Our Rating: +++++ (5)

About the area

Cava is Spanish sparkling wine of an appellation of “Denominación de Origen” (Appellation) status. Cava may be white or rosé. The Macabeo, parellada and xarel.lo are the most popular and traditional grape varieties for producing cava, but only wines produced in the traditional method (méthode champenoise) may be labelled Cavas.

Those produced by other processes may only be called vino espumoso de calidad (sparkling wines). About 95% of all cava is produced in the Penedés area in Catalonia, in the North-East of Spain.

Cavas are classified by sugar content, from Brut Nature (0-3 g per litre) to sweet (over 50 g of sugar per litre), and they are also classified by ageing, from the Cava (with at least 9 months of ageing) to the Cava Gran Reserva (with at least 30 months of ageing)

About the wine

Grapes are selected from a vineyard with sandy soil, south-west orientation and over 150 m of altitude.

The base wine is obtained from organic grapes of ecological agriculture with an excellent health, which then follow the traditional method (méthode champenoise). Aged a minimum of 15 months on lees and released without any dosage. No sulfites or other products are added in the whole process.

Tasting

Best if opened for at least 30 minutes before tasting.

Light yellow and fine bubbles. It offers direct and intense aromas of lime, green apple and kiwi with hazelnuts and toasted bread.

Fresh in the mouth, vinous. Fine bubbles again, perfectly integrated. Sharp, good acidity. Tasty, citric, it makes you salivate.

A great cava with no reason to envy champagne. Will be great with oysters, smoked salmon or roast chicken.