The Wine: Serè 2021
El Solà d'en Pol Negre is made from a blend of 60% Garnatxa Negra, 20% Syrah, 10% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon. The grapes of El Solà d’en Pol are picked in the third and fourth week of September and are macerated for about 20 days. The fermentation takes place at a temperature between 16°C – 18°C. After that, the wine stays in a stainless steel tank for 4 months. It is a raspberry-colored, dynamic, and vibrant wine. Fresh fruit aroma and floral bouquet on the nose. Bright acidity and fruity palate.
The Producer: Celler Xavier Clua
The Xavier Clua wine cellar is situated in Vilalba dels Arcs, in the Terra Alta in Catalonia - a dry, sunny area where vine-growing and wine production have been a tradition since medieval times.
For four generations, the name of Clua has been associated with the culture of the vineyards and the production of wine. The latest generation, led by Xavier Clua combines the experience of this viticultural tradition with university training, bringing new perspectives and techniques both to viticulture and winemaking.
The Region: Penedès
The Terroir of Penedès
Penedès has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers. The three subregions in which it can be divided, Baix Penedès, Medio Penedès, and Alt Penedès (where Azimut is located) – respectively low, middle, high Penedès, - have slightly different climates due primarily to altitude and distance from the coast. Soils range from calcareous, the prevalent formation, to sandy and clayey.
The Red Wines of Penedès
Red wines are usually blends of native varietals such as Tempranillo, Penedès main red grape varietal, Garnacha (Garnatxa), Monastrell, and Carinena. In recent years, a handful of producers have been experimenting with international varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with good results.
The White Wines of Penedès
White still wines, in other words, non-Cava white wines, are made from the same native varietals used for Catalunya’s flagship sparkler, Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. Only recently Chardonnay has been used both in Cava blends and as a still wine, a trend that’s gaining popularity.