Xarello is a white grape variety that finds its origins in the Penedès region of Catalonia in Spain. Renowned for its vivacious personality, the grape is specially utilised in the production of Cava, Spain’s sparkly answer to Champagne. It plays a significant role in lending the classic sparkling wine its characteristic crispness and intense flavour profile.
Xarello often shares the stage with Macabeo and Parellada grapes in concocting Cava but also has the capability to shine in standalone, still white wine variations. A crucial defining trait of this grape is its robustness. Xarello vines are resistant to diseases, bear good yields and can flourish even in harsh climatic conditions.
When it comes to the flavour, Xarello wines exhibit a pleasing range of tastes encompassing floral and tropical fruit notes, often underscored by a keen minerality and refreshing acidity. This peculiar combination offers a rather complex yet balanced taste, ensuring a delightful wine experience. Often, ageing on lees and in oak barrels introduce toasted and creamy hints to the wine, giving it a rich, rounded off construct.
In recent years, Xarello has been the subject of a resurgence, with champions of indigenous varieties prompting a newfound appreciation for the potential of this grape. Notwithstanding, it remains an under-the-radar variety that deserves wholehearted exploration by any serious wine enthusiast. Its ability to produce wines that range from the bright and acidic to the nutty and rich, with a stunning textural depth, speaks volumes about the versatility of the Xarello grape.
Where food pairings are concerned, Xarello wines harmonise well with a gamut of dishes, in particular those from its native Catalonia region like tapas, seafood, and chicken. In conclusion, the Xarello grape majorly services the world's sparkling wine industry, but in its own right rewards wine drinkers with a unique, fascinating flavour profile.
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