The incredibly grand Castillo Perelada – with its dual fortification towers and impressive reflection cast over a nearby lake – makes for one of the most emblematic landmarks of the Empordà region. Castillo Perelada has produced wines here since the Middle Ages – with an entire library documenting the methods, sales, and history of the estate going back centuries! The modern age began with Miguel Mateu in 1923, and the region of Empordà has grown ever since. Here, set amongst Empordà’s sandy, silty alluvial valleys and slate-riddled slopes, grapes are thriving, and the wines are, too.

Tack on their brand new, state-of-the-art production winery, housed in a LEED Gold-certified building on the estate, and these wines are better than ever. This is the first winery in Europe to achieve such a high certification, and since 2017, we’ve witnessed firsthand a marked increase in the quality of their entire portfolio. That said, it is this exuberant and flavorful Brut that has most recently caught our attention, and the fresh 2023 vintage makes things perfectly clear: we don’t expect any shift in the rankings anytime soon!

This glorious, organically grown Cava from the third generation of family farmers is made in the classic traditional method and direct-imported by us to keep the price obscenely low. The pale gold wine presents a stable mousse and is made from a blend of 54% Macabeo, 31%Xarel-lo, 7% Chardonnay, 4% Pinot Noir, 4% Parellada, aged for a lengthy 18 months on the lees. Fully loaded with powerful aromas of rose petals, toasted hazelnuts, and a kiss of petrol, the flavors are awash with orange cream, key lime pie, red cherries, and salted watermelon. 

This is big, creamy, and powerful Cava that would easily hide in a line-up of quality Champagne. Super-impressive... especially for the price, and unquestionably a two-in-the-fridge-at-all-times sparkler that you simply can’t beat. We’re taking our own advice and ordering a 6-pack ourselves!