Team C&J
Wine Access called the 2018 Dominio de la Vega Cava Reserva Especial Brut “…one of the most impressive Cavas we’ve tasted for the money.” With a ringing endorsement like that, we knew we had to try this Cava.
Most Cava wines are non-vintage and intended to be enjoyed shortly after they are released. So, when you see a winery producing vintage Cava, you know you’re getting a special bottle. If you love bubbles, Cava is an excellent, affordable alternative to champagne.
Cava is a type of sparkling wine found in Spain. Similar to champagne, these wines must come from a Cava Denominación de Origen (DO) region.
Most of the Cava produced in Spain (about 95%) comes from Catalonia’s Penedès region, but small pockets of production also take place in València (like this wine from Dominio de la Vega), Aragón, Euskadi, Extremadura, La Rioja, and Navarra.
The word ‘cava’ is derived from the word ‘cave,’ which is where the wines were once aged.
Unlike Champagne, which uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, Cava uses the Spanish grapes Macabeu (Macabeo), Xarel·lo, and Parellada. Some producers do use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir to create signature styles.
Dominio de la Vega Winery was founded in 2001 and is located in Requena, which is part of eastern Spain’s Valencia region. In medieval times, the city was known for its silk production, but today, with wineries like Dominio de la Vega putting down roots, it has become known as a thriving wine region.
Many Cava lovers consider the style of sparkling wines being produced by winemaker Daniel Expósito to be similar to that of grower champagne. By that, we mean that the four families that founded this winery control everything from the vineyard management to the harvest, winemaking, and distribution.
While the owners of this winery remain somewhat mysterious, the website and subsequent press releases only ever mention that it is a family-owned operation. Bottles like this Special Reserve Brut show that whoever is behind this wine endeavor has an eye for quality.
Grapes for the 2018 Dominio de la Vega Cava Reserva Especial Brut were sourced from two vineyard sites. The Macabeo grapes come from 30-year-old vines in La Vega, a 1.4 hectare site with water-retaining clay and limestone soil. The Chardonnay is sourced from Finca Pinarejo, a 20-year-old, south-facing vineyard.
The grapes are hand-harvested and aged on the lees for 24 months.
In addition to its lovely range of Cava, the winery also produces:
In Spain, the Macabeo grape is used to make sparkling, still, and sweet dessert wine in Cava. Somewhat confusingly, in neighboring Rioja and Navarra, the same grape goes by another name, ‘Viura.’
Macabeo is an incredibly versatile grape, and depending on when the grapes are picked and how the winemaker ferments them, the wines can either be crisp, floral, and citrusy or take on an almost honey-like texture and mouthfeel.
Macabeo is the fifth-most planted grape in Spain.
Just like Champagne and other sparkling wines, Cava is made in a range of styles from ultra dry to sweet. When you shop for Cava, you will discover drier wines like Brut Nature and Extra Brut and sweeter interpretations like Seco, Semi-Seco, and Dulce.
This Cava is an eye-catching white amber in the glass. The bubbles are dainty and similar to champagne. The nose of this sparkling Spanish wine is simple and straightforward—uncomplicated and pleasant notes of clean lemon and warm brioche shine. As for the palate, there’s a lot going on. Juicy peach, crisp citrus (lemon-lime), creamy green almonds, and perfumed anise, and lavender present a complex array for the senses.
There’s a subtle intensity that is magnified by the perfumed finish.
This Reserva Especial Brut from Dominio de la Vega is a special bottle at a special price. Not only does this affordable Cava have a vintage designation, indicating an exceptional bottle, but the winery is family-owned. If you’re looking for an excuse to expand your palate beyond champagne, you can count on this bottle to bring the ‘wow’ factor.
The Old World wines of Spain continue to impress us, and we think you love this bottling.
Spain
Cava
Red Blend
12.5
Daniel Expósito
47–50°F / 7–10°C
Chardonnay
Not Needed
Now to 2030
Dominio de la Vega
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