From California to Spain, three wines that defy stereotypes, and the winemakers behind them
Across the globe, intrepid winemakers are going against tradition to produce wines that are worth seeking out
Certain wines suffer from stereotyping. Cava, Spain’s best known sparkling wine, is being tarnished with an inferior reputation as consumers flock to Italian prosecco, which, thanks to clever marketing, has become trendy among young drinkers. Likewise, there is more to Californian wines than them being the rich, opulent fruit bombs many oenophiles expect.
Some intrepid winemakers are trying to break these stereotypes. For those looking to challenge their palate, here are a few suggestions.
Colet Vatua! 2015, Penedès, Spain, HK$190
The Colet family can trace their agricultural roots in Penedès back to 1783. Current winemaker Sergi Colet studied oenology at university and gained practical experience in Reims, France. In 2004, the winery was one of the first to leave the Cava DO (Denominación de Origen) and its sparkling wines are now made under the Penedès DO, with a “Classic Penedès” identity, meaning the grapes must be organic and sourced from within the region. This allows Colet to experiment with more grape varieties in its sparkling wine than would be allowed under the Cava DO. Colet wine is made by the traditional method, with second fermentation in the bottle, and undergoes bottle ageing for 18 months.