Last night, thanks to Aspri Spirits, The Kitchen Butterfly and I tried some exquisite Spanish wines at Poco Loco along with the charming Frances Escala from the House of Raventos I Blanc guiding us through them! My favorite take away from the evening was when Frances said, “why not start and end every meal with bubbles?” Why not indeed.
Take a peek at the wines we tried (we loved the white & red best i.e. Perfum de Vi Blanc and Isabel Negra) and next time you get a chance order yourself a glass of bubbly too! Oh and congrats to Poco Loco who were just named the best Spanish restaurant in Bombay by the Times Food Guide. Based on their chorizo paella I must concur.
Raventós i Blanc
Raventós i Blanc has a rich history and their origins can be traced back to the 1500s. A landmark year for them was 1872 when a gentleman by the name of Josep Maria Raventós created the world’s first Cava, and a dynasty was born.
Psst! A wine expert has provided the following descriptions so they are best read in your sexiest Spanish accent 🙂 xoxo
Raventos I Blanc, L’Hereu Reserve Brut 2008/ Cava
Grape: Macabeo & Xarel Parellada
Aroma: Citrious aroma highlighted by hints of white fruits with old factory elements in perfect balance.
Body & Taste: The palatte is built on both freshness and concentration. A long and very clean finish.
Suggested Food Pairing: Perfect aperitif and a great pairing with light cuisine.
2) Raventos I Blanc, De Nit/ Rose’ Cavai
Nature: Sparkling Rose
Grape: Macabeo Xarel, Parellada & Monastrell
Aroma: Clean pure and almost crystalline. Little by little citrus aromas subtly emerge with memories of fresh white fruit and a touch of cassis.
Body & Taste: It has smooth volume-ness and fruity texture with pleasant freshness and fine bubbles. Good balance with lingering finish of fresh fruit.
Suggested Food Pairing: This Cava makes a great just bubble drink and pairs best with steamed/ grilled/ sautéed seafood. Also goes well with oysters, sashimi, Spanish traditional tapas, Paella, far eastern and middle eastern specialities, chocolate and chocolate
combinatations, various fruit based desserts and vegetarian cuisine.
3) Raventos I Blanc, Perfum de Vi Blanc
Nature: White
Grape: macabeo & muscat de frontignan
Aroma: Intensity reminiscent of fresh grapes, extremely floral where roses reign supreme as well as peach and hint of fresh fig.
Body & Taste: Palate is straight forward and immediate but with pleasant juiciness that recalls sensation of ripe peach.
Suggested Food Pairing: Appetisers, rice dishes, roast, seafood, semi mature cheese and white fish.
4) Raventos I Blanc, Perfum de Vi Blanc Isabel Negra
Nature: Red
Grape: Merlot & Cabernet
Aroma: Hints of fresh cassis with notes of leather, spices and cacaos.
Body & Taste: Smooth texture on palate, juiciness of fruit in delicate tannic sensation with spice aromaticness.
Suggested Food Pairing: Rice with meat, roast chicken, game stew, roasts, game birds and sheep cheese.