A complex Spanish sparkling wine from Rioja full of character
These days, sparkling wine from Spain seem to be front and centre thanks to the growing range of excellent Cavas made in the country.
If you are familiar with Cava, you will know that it is a sparkling wine made according to the classic method (with second fermentation in the bottle). Grape variety allowed for Cava wines are Macabeu, Xarel-lo and Parellada, with a small addition of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Monastrell grapes also allowed. It can be made all over Spain, but it mostly comes from the Penedes region in the northeast of Spain, not far from Barcelona. You might also know that there is a second albeit less-known hotspot of Cava production located in the Ebro River valley in Rioja in the Spanish Basque Country.
But did you know that not all Spanish sparkling wines are Cava?
Yes, there is indeed a growing number of sparkling wines from Spain which are not made according to the Cava DO regulations. Thus, these wines are not called Cava. However, the quality of these sparkling wines is mostly even better. Because the reason for making sparkling wines not in compliance with the Cava DO regulations are the restrictions that come with these regulations. Most non-Cava Spanish sparkling wines are still made according to the classic method, are aged over various months and the highest quality standards apply. Yet they might be made with different grape varieties, grapes must come from a designated area or only organically grown grapes are permitted.
So, have you ever tried a Spanish sparkling wine that was not a Cava?
In the Rioja region there are now sparkling wines made according to the classic method made from Txakoli grapes. This grape variety, which is not allowed under the Cava DO appellation, brings about slightly sparkling wines. Typically, these sparkling wines are very dry, with high acidity and low alcohol.
Today, I have a fantastic bottle of sparkling Txakoli from the heart of the Rioja.
If you love Spanish Cava or if you like to experiment with new wine styles, you need to try the wonderful Artadi Izar-Leku sparkling wine from Bodegas Artadi.
About Bodegas Artadi
In 1985, Bodegas Artadi was born out of a project of 13 local winegrowers who started Cosecheros Alavesesa. Tied together by the ambition to create excellent biodynamic wines, the successful cooperative later dissolved but left Bodegas Artadi as one of its renowned inheritors.
Located in the beautiful town of Laguardia in the Rioja Alavesa wine region in the Basque country in northern Spain, Bodegas Artadi today is one of the leading Rioja – and Spanish – wineries.
Following in the footsteps of his father Juan Carlos de Lacalle, Carlos de Lacalle is now the winemaker responsible for most of the wines made at Bodegas Artadi. He is also behind the Izar-Leku Mahastiak project, which involves another well-known local family. The Zapiain family il looking back at over 150 years of making cider in the Rioja and thus the perfect match to create the Izar-Leku sparkling wine.
Tasting Notes: Artadi Izar-Leku Sparkling Wine
This sparkling wine is made from two autochthone grape varieties, the Hondarribi Zuri and Hondarribi Beltza grapes.
Grapes for the Izar-Leku sparkling wine are grown at the Getariako Txakolina appellation, a southeast facing hillside characterized by clay soils with a sub-layer of slate and basalt which are covered with a protective layer of sandstone. The area is furthermore characterized by the moderate Atlantic climate. The result of this combination is a sparkling wine with extreme freshness and a note of saltiness.
The wine is kept on the lees for one year, with one-third of it in the barrel. This is followed by second fermentation in the bottle where it matures on the lees for another 36 months.
In the glass, a light yellow with golden-green hues and a delicate perlage.
On the nose, aromas of ripe pears, juicy fruity notes of mirabelle and plum along with a hint of citrus fruits. Fine notes of yeast and sweet brioche followed by fresh herbal notes of basil, lemon balm, mint, and chives.
On the palate, extremely ripe fruit aromas of pear, apple, and yellow stone fruits followed at the end by notes of slate. Delicate acidity and a slight bitterness. Persistent with a wonderful minerality and saltiness.
Food pairing suggestions: Izar-Leku sparkling wine is perfect to be enjoyed as aperitif but like all Spanish sparkling wines it is also highly food friendly. It pairs wonderfully with appetizers, in particular anything based on the classic Spanish Jamon Iberico. It is also a great match with seafood and shellfish, risotto, and salad.
I recently opened a bottle of the Izar-Leku sparkling wine for an al-fresco aperitivo on the patio, paired with homemade Croquetas de Jamon Iberico – Spanish Ham Croquettes. Unsurprisingly, this classic combination worked wonderfully with the distinct nutty flavour of the ham perfectly countering the minerality of the Izar-Leku.
If you are planning to invite family and friends for an aperitivo or garden party, wow them with this delicious pairing. And it also works if you just plan a nice evening for two!
Carrots and Tigers 