The WineColors of straw with hints of green around the rim, this wine has a steady stream of bubbles that create a nice mousse or layer of bubbles at the top of the glass. Buttery toast aromas combine with fresh fruits like golden apples and pears, plus the pleasant bitter finish of roasted almonds and raisins.
This sparkling wine is crafted by hand in the winery's chalky caves some 30+ feet below the surface. Made from the classic trio of white grapes native to the region - Xarello (40%), Macabeu (40%) and Parellada (20%) - Parellada helps amplify the two primary grapes but is used in smaller quantities because it doesn't age as well.
The first fermentation occurs at low temperatures in stainless steel vats, the second fermentation occurs in the bottle then rests on the lees for at least 20 months prior to disgorgement and finishing, since the wines are disgorged on demand, your individual bottle may age far longer - look for the disgorgement date on the back label.
About 3,000 cases produced. Drink now and over the next few years.
The Winery - "Women & Gods"
The history of Castell d’Age is tied to three generations of women: grandmother, mother and daughter. Catalan by birth but Swiss in spirit. Their winery is located in the "Alt Penedes" or upper Penedes, on the South-facing slope of the sacred mountain, Montserrat in a village so small I drove past the winery twice before I found the small little driveway.
The Women
- First there was Aurelia Figueras, who breathed life into lands that belonged to her family for 50 years.
- Her daughter, Anne Marie Comtesse (who lends her name to this wine!) started producing wines at their current facility, and moved the family vineyards to organic.
- Olivia Junyent is the current generation leading the winery, and was kind enough to provide a long and informative tour during my visit, including a vineyard tour that included some seriously muddy offroading! Along with her brother, they are moving beyond organic to Biodynamic practices.
