GRAMONA -Visionaries & Pioneers

by kmsz
Jan 27, 2020
3 min read

Gramona -Introduction

Gramona is the fifth generation of a winemaking family which lies in the Anoia and Bitlles River Basin near to Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, Mecca of Spanish Cava. The story began in 1850 when “the great-great-grandfather, Josep Batlle, was working as a winemaker and grower for a family who owned the vineyards in La Plana, in the Anoia River Valley. When phylloxera was ravaging the vineyards of France and much of Europe, Josep Batlle’s son, Pau, set about selling wine to the French sparkling wine producers, who knew the Catalonia region well, as it was their main cork supplier at the time. Using the Xarel·lo as a base, Pau learnt how to refine his own wines for this purpose.

VISIONARIES & PIONEERS......

“1945 was the start of a new era for Gramona, under the stewardship of Bartomeu y Josep Lluis, the ‘hard working’ generation. They were the visionaries and pioneers behind long-aged sparkling wines. The first Gramona III Lustros was created in 1951 and was a pioneering sparkling in that it was designed for long ageing (It was released on the market in 1961). Up until the late 20th century, the two brothers were at the helm of a small winery, highly regarded for the quality of its wines. “

The soul of this generation, Josep Lluis Gramona, is still out and about on our land every day, ensuring that the Gramona ship sails smoothly

This vinery is definitely to watch for. Today Gramona is joined by “an energetic team” which shaped by the personality of a new generation made up of Jaume Gramona, “ a hard-working, visionary oenologist with the spirit of explorer and Xavier Gramona who is “ a thinker with a storng analytical mind”. Both men are committed to the excellence of the sparkling wines from Penedès as they stated.

The main driving force of Gramona is Passion for wine and commitment to the terroir. Transforming the fruits of the land and terroir into the possible way to create a world – class sparkling wine from Penedès. Simply guided by the curiosity and creativity, expressing all beauty of the terroir.

"Through biodynamics, which goes one step beyond organic viticulture, we breathe life into our vineyards and seek to increase levels of biodiversity: we use plant-based infusions and decoctions to ward off pests and we produce our own animal and vegetal compost from our farm of cows, sheep, chickens, and horses."

Wines:

Gramona Imperial: This beautiful Cava could easily stand alone as a protagonist in any occasion. It has been made on 100% Artisian Porcess (meaning with less mechanical interruption and more manual handling). Grape varieties as 50% Xarel-Lo, 40% Macabeo, 10% Chardonnay. Each grape varieties are vinified separately. Ageing on lees for 48 months. Ripe fruit intensity in the nose. Green fruit notes such as apple and pear and vegetal touch of fennel. Yeast ageing is balanced well does not overtake the fruity taste of this sparkling wine still at presence with a buttery aroma and occasionally candid fruit. Palate is as it says wide on entry and full of creamy flavours. Refreshingly velvety. Its versatile characteristics is prefect with any meals or can act as an aperitif. Winner of Decanter World Wine Awards 2018 with a well- deserved Gold Medal.

Gramona III Lustros Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2011: is an excellent sparkling wine produced by the Gramona winery in the Penedes. The cava itself is a protagonist winning not only admiration from many cava enthusiasts but also showing full and exciting characteristics when it comes to the palate. Powerful and mighty. Grape varieties: Macabeo and Xarel-Lo. Revealing an intensity in nose, with notes of maturity but also freshness, it enchants with its aromatic richness, of baked apple, sweet pears, ripe citrus fruits, grapefruit peel, crushed flowers and herby Mediterranean undertones reminiscent of fennel and rosemary. On the palate it offers a powerful entry and huge structure. Its mousse is fine and creamy, and yet again the evident notes of ageing, along with the crystallised fruit and balsamic hints, reaffirm its high quality, complexity and balance. Lively, refreshing with a long finish in the mouth. Perfect companion with Iberian ham, seafood dishes alongside with hearty dishes.

How to get there: If you are travelling by train, take the train from Barcelona –Sant or Barcelona Placa Catalunya. Local Train (RENFE)/ Line 3, direction to Vilafranca del Penedès / Sant Vicenç de Calders / Sant Sadurní d’Anoia Station. More information of the actual website.

Vineyard: