Penedès, so fresh and so cold

This originally ran on my monthly column although in a much shorter, print “friendly” format.

I’m not going out on a limb to say that we’ve had more than our share of hot weather this summer. I suppose it’s making up for the relatively mild summer last year. Given this, let’s look at those refreshing options in the world of wine. Typically I reserve this month’s column for rosé as that’s how they do August in France but instead here are a couple of white wine options from Penedès.

I don’t often talk about Penedès as they’re very good at producing very large quantities of wine and it is but a few producers that make bottles truly worthy of note–Cava being a wholly different beast. But look around and you can find wines such as the first one from Segura Viudas which is a good value. Or then you can find craft wines like the second from the brilliant Partida Creus. Both of these wines offer up a good option to keep in the ice bucket and sip from during the long, hot evening.

Segura Viudas – Xarel·lo 2014
Light straw color in the glass, it has aromas of peach, and white blossoms. Not the least bit weak on the palate, it’s full and pleasing, showing off everything that is great about Xarel·lo from Penedès and is definitely the most interesting wine from this particular line of Segura Viudas.

100% Xarel·lo 12.5% 4€
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Partida Creus – Vinel·lo Blanc 2014
Down in Baix Penedès, Massimo Marchiori is making fantastic wines that are ironically all outside the appellation of Penedès. This blend of several grapes including some local, nearly extinct varietals such as Vinyater is exquisite. While a bit turbid in the glass due to being a ‘natural’ wine, it’s aromatically complex. A wealth of stone fruit aromas wrap around citric lime and lemon peel notes. The body is rich with acidity and depth, but all of this with only 10% alcohol.

White Grenache, Macabeu, Moscatell, Vinyater, Xarel·lo, Parsé, Parelleda 10% 10-12€
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