Gramona – The Toast of Catalonia

Great Wine Co. on 2 Jun 2023

Biodynamic growing is at the heart of Gramona’s philosophy vineyards, and the Gramona team - headed by Jaume Gramona, a fifth-generation scion of the Gramona family - seek to promote the longevity and revitalisation of the vines, and bring biodiversity back into the vineyards. Grass cover between vines helps maintains spongy soil to help vine roots find water, whilst other cover crops prevent pests and infection and remove the need for harmful pesticides.

When carrying out work on vines and soils, the Gramona team are conscious of the direct and vital influence which nature imparts on the vineyards, and consider it a duty to learn to interpret her. As part of this commitment, Gramona produce their own compost from an orchard of medicinal plants and a farm of cows, which is used as organic food for the earth and for the vines which root in her.

During the dawn of the season, in the months of April and May, the vine’s buds begin to break and the first signs of new life appear. These buds are delicate and must be nurtured. They can easily be destroyed by frost or hail.

After the buds break in early spring, evolution of the vine continues, and initial shoots and leaves develop. The flowers of grapevines begin to grow in May and June, and buds begin to turning into the small bunches where the grapes will grow. Flowering is a very delicate moment, where rain can lead to poor fruit-set, impacting harvest size.

The results of the hard work in the vineyards is clear to see in the wines of Gramona, and in particular the Gramona Imperial: a classically-made creamy sparkling wine - full-bodied on the palate with a mousse of elegant bubbles. An aromatic complexity of rich fruit and toasted notes is a product of the unique component grape varietals as well as the long ageing which the wine undergoes, and this truly versatile sparkling wine has proven to be a perfect match to a multitude of occasions and a plethora of foods. And of course, the Gramona Imperial is 100% Organic and Vegan.

Gramona wines are made from specific blends of estate-grown grapes: Macabeo provides finesse; Parellada provides fragrance; Chardonnay brings elegance and depth; Pinot Noir, vinosity and body, and Xarello forms the backbone and structure which create wines with body, freshness and character, and gives the wines the greatest potential for long ageing.

Formerly planted throughout the Mediterranean basin, today Xarello grows mainly in the region of Catalonia. This grape is considered to be the DNA of Gramona: the more it is present, the greater a wine’s potential to age and develop. Generations ago, Gramona realised the potential of this unique grape, which develops slowly and is remarkable for its ability to remain fresh and lively.

Scientists at the Universities of Dijon and Washington have confirmed that Xarello – at the heart of the Gramona Imperial – contains more resveratrol and other potent Anti-oxidants than any other white grape, giving Gramona wines the strength to withstand long years of ageing, while retaining a young body as the wine develops.

Gramona's wines age for a long period of time before release. The minimum period of ageing mandated by the estate is much longer than that required by sparkling wine regulatory boards in other regions across the world, and, on average, Gramona wines are aged for 6 years, while the incomparable Cellar Batlle Brut is cellared for over 12 years!

The flagship Gramona Imperial spends over 50+ months aging before release to develop the complex toasted flavours which make this sparkling wine so uniquely delicious and versatile.