Winner Details

Cava

Now here’s an interesting thing. Most of us know cava for the cheap, simple, somewhat charmless fizz that has lost its raison d’être since prosecco swaggered into town. But what if its role is as a quality wine that comes in at just under champagne/English fizz prices and really holds its own.

The Llopart was a fabulous wine that walked off not just with a Gold, but also a Critic’s Choice. Yes. We’ll say it again. An £18 cava got a Critic’s Choice. Try it and you’ll see why.

From The Tasting Teams

‘Champagne is for the high end, but cava and prosecco are more easy drinking, and more sellable.’ Luma Monteiro, Wineria

‘There were different styles, different use of lees… Some nice complexity too. It was good to see diversity in the range.’ Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana

‘At the lower end I found them to be quite acceptable, but the most expensive ones had the most complexity. They’re trying really hard to re-establish themselves in a market flooded by sparkling wines from other countries.’ Martin Lam, team leader

‘Prosecco had its boom, but people are now looking for something else.’ Luma Monteiro, Wineria

Award winners

Found 4 wines

Cava

Llopart, Imperial Panoramic, Cava Brut Gran Reserva 2013, Catalonia, Spain

Gold medal winner Critics Choice

'With notes of red apple, apricot and salted butter, as well as some oak and spices, this is a very good substitute for a pricey aged champagne on a restaurant wine list.'
Elena Serban, Heritage Restaurant.

'Great minerality, as well as pastry and brioche notes. There's lots of fruit too, considering the age, and with much more to come. Complex and balanced.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

£18.57 Bibendum

Castillo Perelada, Stars, Cava Brut Nature 2014, Penedès, Spain

Silver medal winner

'Great value for a slightly developed cava, with grapefruit notes and a delicate biscuity aroma, leading to a crisp texture and a delicate mousse, with a touch of white flowers.'
Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London.

'A great nose of cream, autolysis, dried fruits and lemon curd, with punchy citrus and charred characters.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

£6.20 Chalié Richards

Villa Conchi, Extra Brut Imperial, Cava NV, Catalonia, Spain

Bronze medal winner

'Apple and pear comes though on the nose, with a touch of honeysuckle. Good balance of fruit and acidity on the palate, with good length.'
Luma Monteiro, Wineria.

'A very good cava with aged notes on the nose and palate. It would be excellent by the glass.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

£13.69 Matthew Clark

Mas Macià, Cava Brut NV, Penedès, Spain

Commended medal winner

£8.15 Boutinot