Colet Tradicional Extra Brut Classic Penedès 2018

Colet Tradicional Extra Brut Classic Penedès 2018 is like Cava only better. Making sparkling wine since 1987, the Colet family has perfected its blend for this ‘Tradicional’ sparkling wine from Spain as 50-55% Xarel-lo, 35-40% Macabeo and 10% Parellada. The Colet winery is one of a handful of producers who walked away from the Cava DO as they felt Cava had been devalued by the more commercial style. In order to differentiate themselves they now produce their sparkling wine as Classic Penedès which is – and has to be by regulation:

–  100% certified organic

– made from grapes that are 100% from the Penedès region (in their case they are all from their own vineyard) and

– 100% Reserva which means it has been aged for a minimum of 15 months (in fact for 24 months for Colet Tradicional Extra Brut) before release.

– And like Cava it is produced by the Traditional or Champagne method, making it a great alternative to Champagne.

Although part of the reason for leaving the Cava DO was to start using other grape varieties, Colet Tradicional Extra Brut Classic Penedès 2018 contains the classic grapes for Cava – Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada – hence the name ‘Tradicional’. However Macabeo is often the predominant grape in Cava. Colet prefers to have a majority of Xarel-lo because of its acidity and its resistance to premature oxidation. This allows them to add only a minimum ‘dosage’ or residual sugar, retaining a crisp, dry and yet fruity style. Colet Tradicional Extra Brut sparkling wine has lots of fruit flavours – citrus, apple and peach included – and also touches of honey and cream given the time spent on its lees in bottle before release. It has a lovely rich texture which balances well with the fresh acidity.

I’ll soon be updating a blog on what has been happening to Cava; when you read it, you will begin to understand why I chose this amazing Classic Penedès as an alternative.