Marques de Gelida Cava 2010

35% Macabeo, 30% Xarel-lo, 20% Parellada, 15% Chardonnay
Only from Penedes could one find such a bottle-fermented sparkling wine for such a value. True to Cava DO this was blended and then, with the help of liqueur de tirage, encouraged to undergo a second fermentation in the very bottle you have before you –as is de rigueur in Champagne. This ensures a steady stream of fine bubble and a far more complex aroma than its peers. Three of the four component grapes are indigenous Catalan varieties which each bear their charms with the addition of Chardonnay, coming together over three years under glass. They join and evolve with the resting lees to express crisp citrus, crunchy orchard fruit, nuances of pastry dough such as brioche –all in a snappy, dry structure that cleanses while pleasing the palate.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, May 2014