Grape Of The Week: Parellada
Native to Catalunya, Spain, Parellada is a thick-skinned, golden grape that thrives in a Mediterranean climate and spans across 8,500 hectares. Preferring cooler temperatures, Parellada produces high quality wines in high altitudes. If these conditions aren’t met, Parellada is known to over produce low quality wines. Because of this, it’s rare to find single varietal Parellada wines, which tend to be light and fresh with floral notes. Parellada is best enjoyed with stuffed squash blossoms, white bean dip, and paella.
One of the core grapes in Cava, Parellada is often blended with Macabeo and Xarel-lo, adding fresh notes of lemon blossom and green apple to the blend. It’s also occasionally blended with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc.
Experience Parellada with these wines:
Agusti Torella Mata Cava Brut Reserva 2018
Castellroig Corpinnat Brut NV
Pares Balta Cava Pink NV
Vineyard Photo Courtesy of Pares Balta