Perelada, 5 Finques, DO Empordà, Spain, 2020

Producer Profile

Perelada are one of the most prestigious and highly regarded wine and Cava producers in Catalunya – a family-owned estate built upon a winemaking tradition that stretches back to the Middle Ages.

The foundation of the estate is DO Empordà, which through their hard work and skill Perelada helped to create in the 1960s. The vineyards are rooted on diverse soils from slate to sand, fluvial sediment to gravel, that all run down between the mighty Pyrenees and the sparkling blue of the Mediterranean. This setting has spurred on a quest for quality that has gone beyond winemaking to embrace all things cultural, celebrating the region’s art and history in all aspects of life – easy to believe in a region that was home to the godfather of surrealism, Salvador Dali. In due course the family purchased an additional bodega, DO Cava, in Penedes’ capital, Vilafranca del Penedès, allowing them to increase production and become a serious player among Spain’s most prominent Cava producers. This range sits at a price v. quality ratio that is hard to argue with, offering incredible value for money. Every summer Castillo Perelada also hosts one of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe, and ‘Stars Cava’ is a tribute to the artists who have performed there under the stars of the Empordà sky. Perelada are committed to sustainable agriculture, both in their family-owned vineyards in Empordà and in their vineyards in Vilafranca, Penedès.

Viticulture

The 5 vineyards that this wine comes from are situated around 40-150m above sea level, with an average age of 21 years. Conventional viticulture and double royal training system, the soil consists of slate slopes, sandy plains and gravel. This diversity of the soils allows them to harvest grapes with an enormous range of aroma and flavour nuances and to produce complex wines full of character.

Winemaking

A traditional red wine making with a long maceration and a controlled fermentation at 24ºC. Matured in fine American oak and Allier French oak. Matured in bottle for at least 2 years before release.

Tasting Note

Deep cherry red colour. Its aroma is reminiscent of red fruits and spices, with some balsamic notes and a toasted background. In the mouth it is fresh, well structured and balanced. Its tannins are plentiful but really well integrated. This is a wine with a great personality and a long finish.

Food Matching

Both young and mature red meats, cheeses and even chocolate!!!