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Wine Description
The Story
Vardon Kennett is a hand-harvested Pinot Noir (55%), Chardonnay (40%) and Xarel.lo (5%) blend. The goal from the very beginning has been to connect with a wide international audience of people who share a love for exceptional food and wine.
The style: Vardon Kennett is feminine in its conception. It seeks the same subtlety and elegance as evoked by the fine, beautiful bubbles. High acidity is a defining characteristic of this sparkling wine with a style all its own.
Vineyards: Winery-owned vineyards in Sant Miquel (Tremp), at 950 m above sea level, and in Santa Maria de Miralles (Penedès), at 550m. At this elevation, which is key in the new climate scenario, the vineyards produce grapes that are fresher and higher in acidity.
Esplendor by Vardon Kennett originates from the Torres family's own vineyards in the Penedès, at over 500 meters above sea level. The area provides the right vines to create the desired blend, which accentuates the elegance and exquisite acidity of the final cuvée.
Although rooted in the Penedès, Esplendor looks to the future. Specifically what the future holds for the map of varieties. As temperatures continue to rise due to climate change, winemakers will have to seek out grapes from higher-elevation areas.
Cellar: Santa Margarida d'Agulladolç, the heart of Catalan sparkling wines, which has its own rich history.
Winemaking:
• Handpicked grapes
• Whole cluster pressing
• En Own combination of yeasts used during primary alcoholic fermentation
• 17% barrel fermented in French oak
• 45 % malolactic fermentation
• Cuvée of the various wines produced
• Secondary fermentation according to the traditional method
• Bottle aged on its lees for a minimum of 38 months
Tasting notes
Pale gold color, with a delicate, lively bead. Fragrant nose with fine fruit (reinette apple) and yeast (biscuit) aromas. Firm, long and flavorful on the palate with good structure and an elegant finish.
WHO WAS VARDON KENNETT?
The heir to a long line of maritime traders, Daniel Vardon Kennett was born on the island of Guernsey (English Channel) in 1781. On one of his travels, he visited Barcelona and was smitten by the city, the nearby villages, the wines and culture. Filled with enthusiasm, he set up a business selling and exporting local wines to England and Saint Peter Port (Guernsey).
Wine Information
The 2013 vintage is unusual for the Penedès, a year marked by above-average rainfall and a dry summer with rather mild temperatures that benefitted the slow, gradual ripening of the grapes. The elevation of the vineyards also contributed to the quality of the base wines: fresh, clean and aromatic Pinot Noir adds body to the blend, whereas Chardonnay and Xarel·lo confer good acidity.
At the winery on the Santa Maria d'Agulladolç estate, the wine underwent three fermentations and aging to become Esplendor by Vardon Kennett.
The cool climate conditions of 2013 resulted in high acidity, which required complete malolactic fermentation, producing a wine of exemplary balance. Another decisive factor was the use of indigenous yeasts during vinification, which added complexity to the overall wine. Partial primary fermentation in the barrel followed by a second fermentation in the bottle (in keeping with the traditional method) completed the process.
The resulting wine then bottle aged on its lees for 30 months during which it developed the prized notes of prolonged aging that characterize the best and most select cuvées.
Recommended glass shape
Average Bottle Price
| 2020 |
|---|
| 35€ |
This data comes from the FINE Auction Index, a composite of average prices for wines sold at commercial auctions in 20 countries. The average prices from each year have been collected since 1990. This chart plots the index value of the average price of the wines.