Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Cava

(30% Chardonnay/30% Xarello/20% Macabeo/20% Parellada). The wine aged for 30 months on its lees. Smooth and toasty with notes of almond, orange zest and honey. It's a finely textured, very dry cava that's slightly steely with light hazelnut and ripe pear notes. Jaume Serra, the winery behind Cristalino, was founded in 1943 by enologist Jaume Serra Guell. It is located in the Garraf subdivision of Penedes, in Catalonia. Chardonnay, Macabeo, Parellada and Xarello are grown on Jaume Serra's El Padruel estate vineyards in the Alt Penedes, near the town of Vilanova y la Geltru, 31 miles south of Barcelona. In addition to their estate grown grapes, the winery has established long-term contracts with 15 other growers in Penedes. By law, Cava must be made in the traditional method and must age for a minimum of nine months on its lees before release. The winery takes the extra step of importing their yeast from Champagne, France to impart the finest quality to their Cavas.