Cava is a curious region/style in Spain. It is the only legally binding ‘appellation’ in Europe that is not one continuous zone. The ancestral home is north of Barcelona, near Penedes, but sizeable production exists north of Zaragoza, in Navarra, and it is here that we find Mainegra. Certified organic, and in fact one of the pioneers of sparkling wine in the region. Their Brut spends over a year resting on its lees to gain texture and complexity, and derives much of its trademark acidity from the high proportion of Viura. Attractive green apple aromas and delicate white flowers are backed up by bread dough and cashew flavours, with a zesty lemon sherbet finish. Tangy and very drinkable.

The northeast parts of Spain are a fascinating corner of Europe. Here, two of the oldest wine producing countries on earth collide, and Spanish passion and fire begin to blend with French finesse and sophistication, resulting in a culture which is more than the mere sum of its parts. This is great news for lovers of fine sparkling wine, as regions such as Catalunya play host to some of the best producers of Cava in Spain. One such winery is Mainegra, an organic Cava producer who take tradition seriously and carefully blend delightfully bubbly sparkling wines. Low yielding harvests of Viura, Parellada and Chardonnay varietal grapes result in a blend which is packed full of character, with great acidity and balance, and we can expect Mainegra Cava to be at the forefront of this wine style’s renaissance, which is undoubtedly well underway.