Vilarnau Barcelona Brut Reserva Cava

Molly Amoli Shinhat reviewed this wine as follows:

It's the Bottle with the Trencadis Jacket. Before it's even opened, you hold a work of art in your hands! But first to the wine.

The traditional method means that the second fermentation of the grapes, as with champagne, is done in the bottle and not in a tank. Made with traditional cava grapes, Acabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada, grown near Barcelona, Catalonia, it's that location that makes for the trencadis connection. Several of Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí's (1852–1926) greatest works can be found there, among them, the Basílica de la Sagrada Família, and Park Guell.

In this case, each grape variety is made into wine separately first and are blended for the second fermentation. Aged for 15 months or more in the bottle, it has 10 g/l residual sugar. It's a crispy cava, with a low 11.2% a.b.v. that makes it a perfect sipper.

It's an invigorating combination of pear, peach, and melon with notes of lemon and lemon pith to finish.

And what is trencadis? While using tiles to ornament a building's surface is an Arabic tradition, also used by the Moors in Southern Spain, Gaudí developed his own version. Trencadis involves breaking discarded ceramic objects (plates, tiles, etc.), to use the shards as tiles. The glorious result, photographed, is the imagery on this bottle's jacket.

Chill to 6-8 degrees Centigrade, sip, and pair with contemplation of Gaudí's works online or in a picture book.

Jennifer Havers rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Amazing value! Aromas of green apple and lemon with hints of fresh bread. Light and effervescent on the palate, with a fine mousse. Fruit is tart and bright, but well balanced with mouthwatering acidity, and a dry, crisp finish. Enjoy with appetizers or any fresh shellfish.

L.J. Palmer WSET 3 rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A surfeit of bubbles; fine bubbles that last and last! Pronounced aroma of apple, lemon and pear with a very creamy and rich mouth feel. Palate confirms the rich apple, lemon and pear taste. A dry, medium bodied and very flavourful sparkling that we sampled with Blue (cheese) Benedictin cheese biscuits with Speck (smoked prosciutto) and soft surface ripened cheese. A sparkling wine worth seeking out!