From: Catalonia, Spain

Varietals: 40% Xarel-lo, 40% Macabeu, 20% Parellada

“Jané Ventura’s vintage-dated Brut Nature is a legitimate rival to Champagne. Missing this is a crime against sparkling wine: Finding a more sophisticated, painstakingly crafted, and outrageously delicious bottle for this price is next to impossible!” –Ian Cauble, Master Sommelier

Tasting Notes: The Brut Nature Reserva spends two and half years on lees and then is bottled without a dosage (extra sugar) as the quality of fruit is so high they do not feel that they need it. Therefore it has less than 2 grams of sugar per liter, but the mouthfeel is focused yet generous at the same time.

Pairing: Serve with caviar on blinis, seared tuna, or brunch on a warm day.

The Makers: The Jané Ventura bodega was first founded in 1914 and has remained in family hands ever since. It is headquartered in El Vendrell, along the Mediterranean coast between Barcelona and Tarragona, with most of its estate vineyards located within the “Baix Penedès” subzone. Soils are primarily limestone and clay but of course the main difference between here and Champagne is the Mediterranean-influenced climate; nevertheless, vineyards in Penedès climb to altitude quickly, benefiting from the cooling influence of the “pre-coastal” mountain range further inland. They work with the traditional grape varieties Xarel-lo, Macabeu, and Parellada, farming their 20 hectares of estate vines organically since 2010.