Claror: Twice in the Spotlight at the Cava Meeting
This past week, Vins el Cep took part in the second edition of the Cava Meeting, an international conference where industry professionals come together to share, find inspiration, and move forward collectively, organized by the Regulatory Council of the Cava DO.
In this context, our Cava Claror Paratge Qualificat Can Prats Brut Nature was selected twice by speakers to be included in the tastings. On one hand, Sarah Jane Evans, Master of Wine (MW) and editor of the British magazine Decanter, chose the 2019 vintage for the tasting “Great Cavas born in the vineyard: expressions of terroir”, focused on exploring the characteristics and diversity of the DO Cava’s terroirs, showcased through exceptional single-vinyard wines. Meanwhile, fellow Master of Wine (MW) and sparkling-wine expert Essi Avellan, together with journalist and sommelier Ramon Francàs, selected the 2016 vintage to be part of the tasting “Icons of time: Cavas aged for more than 100 months”, a landmark tasting of the highest-quality Cavas, aged for over 100 months.
We hereby share the comments from Sarah Jane Evans and Ramon Francàs, corresponding to each tasting, as well as the introduction given by Maite Esteve, who leads the winery:
Sarah Jane Evans, “Great Cavas born in the vineyard: expressions of terroir”: “Vins el Cep is a very striking winery: first for its history, dating back to 1448. Second, for its joint management by 4 families. Third, for being biodynamic, the first in Cava. And fourth, for the quality of the wine. The 2019 vintage of Claror was the first to be 100% Xarel.lo, which gives a lovely purity and ensures a long future”.
Ramon Francàs, “Icons of time: Cavas aged for more than 100 months”: “First biodynamic cava and among the first Paraje Calificado cavas. The most representative cava from Vins el Cep, an Elaborador Integral, which speaks of traditional varieties through old vineyards and the spirit of the winegrowers. Working with long ageing (with cork closure) in search of maximum expression. Made with 50% Xarel·lo (10% of which was fermented in barrel) and equal parts Macabeo and Parellada. During bottle ageing, poignetage is performed twice to put the lees back into suspension. With 105 months of ageing.
Pale straw yellow in colour, clean and bright. On the nose unfolds notes of white fruit (apple) over a subtle bed of nuts and lightly toasted bread. With the bubbles very well integrated. On the palate it shows ripe stone fruit with a touch of honey, aromatic herbs in infusion, and magnificent acidity, with a marked salty finish that gives it great depth. The ageing has suited it wonderfully.”
Maite Esteve: “The story of Vins El Cep began forty-five years ago, when four families of winegrowers from Espiells decided to come together to create cavas that would speak of our vineyards, our land, and our origin.
We have been working with biodynamic viticulture for more than twenty years. We felt it was the most honest and respectful way to care for our vineyards.
This cava is very special to us. It represents the constant quest for excellence: not only in cultivating the best grapes, but also in transforming those grapes into the best possible wine. It was the first project shared between the first and second generations—experience and wisdom looking toward the future.
The name Claror means ‘light’, and it was born from the light that envelops these old vineyards and from the clarity with which this cava expresses itself. That is why it bears this name.
I always say that Claror moves us. It is a cava that whispers elegance, depth… and is full of life.
And every time I open a bottle, I think of all the people who made it: my cousin, who cares for the vineyards with such affection; those who work in the cellar, aware of the responsibility of crafting a great wine; and those who move each bottle during ageing, knowing that even that small gesture matters.
I hope that, when you taste it, it moves you too”.
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