# Maria de Maria Rigol Ordi Gran Reserva Brut Nature Organic (2020)

- **Producer:** Maria Rigol Ordi
- **Colour:** white
- **Type:** sparkling
- **Grapes:** Xarel·lo
- **Region:** Catalonia, Spain
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 11.5%
- **Average price:** €22
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 8–10 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** lemon, grapefruit, herbaceous, fennel, pastry, toast, brioche, butter, hazelnut, honey

## About this wine

Caves Maria Rigol Ordi was established in 1987 in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia by Maria Rigol Ordi and her son Francesc Manobens Rigol, reviving a family winemaking legacy that dates back to 1897. The estate is highly regarded for its commitment to preserving artisanal Penedès traditions, focusing exclusively on dry, gastronomic, long-aged sparkling wines. The 'Maria de Maria' cuvée is a heartfelt tribute to the family matriarch, representing her serene, committed, and refined character. Sourced from certified organic, old-vine parcels of Xarel·lo in the clay-limestone soils of the Penedès depression, this wine showcases the incredible aging potential and structural depth of Catalonia's signature white grape.

## Interesting facts

- This cuvée is aged under natural cork rather than a crown cap, a rare traditional method that enhances micro-oxygenation and structural depth.
- The wine is a tribute to matriarch Maria Rigol Ordi, whose grandfather Modest Rigol Tubella was already producing sparkling wine in 1897.
- Disgorgement is performed entirely by hand 'à la volée' without freezing the bottle neck, preserving the wine's artisanal integrity.

## Food pairing

This bone-dry, high-acid Brut Nature Cava acts as a brilliant palate cleanser. The structural weight and phenolic grip of old-vine Xarel·lo, combined with over five years of lees aging, allow it to cut through rich, fatty textures like duck foie gras or buttery scallops. Its vibrant acidity balances earthy, umami-rich dishes like truffle risotto, while the subtle herbal and citrus notes beautifully complement grilled white fish and roasted poultry.

## Wine making process

Crafted using the traditional method, this organic sparkling wine is made from 100% hand-harvested Xarel·lo grapes. The fruit is collected in small 18 kg boxes to prevent premature crushing. Whole-cluster pressing is performed with a strict limit of 55% juice extraction to ensure only the highest quality must is used. Following static cold settling, primary fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at 16°C. The wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle, where it is aged horizontally on its lees under a natural cork closure for a minimum of 60 to 78 months. This traditional cork aging promotes gentle micro-oxygenation. Finally, the bottles are riddled by hand on traditional racks and disgorged 'à la volée' (by hand, without freezing) with zero added dosage.