Because we’re still celebrating the beginning of a new year, today we are featuring five amazing sparkling varieties from María Codorníu by Bodega Séptima in Mendoza. María Codorníu is a line of sparkling wines in Argentina by Spanish winemakers Raventós Codorníu, whose European-style elaboration is grounded in a unique legacy spanning more than 450 years of history making cavas of the highest quality in Spain. The sparkling wines or espumantes are made from the classic grape varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, whose combination result in a line of sparkling wines distinguished by their elegance, expression of fresh fruit, with a full and seductive palate. The new line comprises varietals made using the traditional (Champenoise) method, a Brut Nature, an Extra Brut, a Rosat and a Sweet, all of which are synonymous with enjoyment and quality.

Bodega Séptima (septima in Spanish means seventh) is so named because it is the seventh winery of Raventós Codorníu, whose establishment in 1551 makes it one of the families with the oldest tradition in wine making in Spain. After years of searching for an exceptional terroir in the Americas, the genesis of the seventh Raventós Codorníu winery began in 1999 with its construction being completed in 2001 in the Agrelo area of the Luján de Cuyo region in Mendoza. It is located at the foot of the Andes, rising 1,050 metres above sea level, and is literally a natural and sustainable stone fortress, completely integrated into the organic and majestic environment that surrounds it. The construction eloquently expresses its Andean nature with a design that alludes to pre-Hispanic ceremonial centres featuring immense blind stone walls, which provide the interiors with the benefits of their thermal inertia, ideal for wine.

The concept for the design was inspired by the ancestral construction system used by the Huarpes, a native people of Mendoza, who built their buildings by stacking local stones of various sizes and shapes embedded manually. The winery’s layout anticipates the rocky slopes of the Andean foothills and includes esplanades and gardens with river stone floors along with rustic pastures, characteristic of the environment. The difference between the interior and the exterior is almost imperceptible as the bodega and surrounding mountain area coexist in an integrated and perfect ecosystem. The overall design and construction is a combination of harmony, modernity, tradition, nature and technique. The result is that Bodega Séptima is arguably the winery with the best view of Los Andes, fusing both the Spanish Catalan with the Argentine Cuyo culture in its gastronomy offerings.

The winery is situated in the upper area of Agrelo and is surrounded by its Emblem Estate and 150 hectares of vines. It is here that the best view of the Andean peaks is found. Bodega Séptima offers a truly unique experience in wine tourism framed by a unique environment that showcases the European winemaking techniques that have adapted perfectly to the Mendoza terroir. The wines from this bodega are born, produced and evolve in the mountains as well as in desert valleys located in the heart of the Andes. The austere climate, rugged topography, poor soil and untamed natural environment all influence the distinctive factor of its wines.

Thursday Food introduces you to five espumantes from the María Codorníu line by Bodega Séptima:

María Codorníu Traditional Method Brut Nature is 100 per cent Chardonnay made using the Champenoise method at the bodega’s vineyard in the Uco Valley area of Mendoza. The wine’s colour is intense yellow with golden reflections having aromas of quince, caramel and stone fruit along with subtle aromas of brioche bread as well as toasted bread, on the nose. In the mouth, it is smooth and unctuous, highlighted by its fine and persistent bubbles. Its acid balance and its aging give it distinction and elegance, with a persistent aftertaste featuring mineral traits. This wine was selected in the Tim Atkins Report 2020 as the Sparkling of the Year.

María Codorníu Handcraft Brut, comprising 80 per cent Pinot Noir and 20 per cent Chardonnay, is produced at vineyards located at Los Chacayes in the Uco Valley area of Mendoza. The wine has a very faint, sparkling onion skin colour with aromas of citrus and tropical fruits, accompanied by notes of honey, nuts and caramel, on the nose. The wine finishes with a fresh, creamy sensation featuring fine bubbles in the mouth.

María Codorníu Brut Nature, made up of 70 per cent Chardonnay and 30 per cent Pinot Noir, is produced from vineyards located in the Gualtallary area of the Uco Valley region in Mendoza. The wine’s colour is a bright gold, fine and elegant with consistent bubbles. On the nose, it is seductive and expressive with a young profile that presents notes of peaches, apricots along with pears. It has a citrus and floral background, gently accompanied by toasted aromas and brioche bread, resulting in a delicate yet luxurious sparkling wine. In the mouth, sparkling bubbles awaken the senses while it is balanced on the palate with citrus aromas and an unctuous body. This is followed by a long, fresh finish that accompanies the toasted aromas that provide complexity and delicacy.

María Codorníu Extra Brut is 80 per cent Chardonnay and 20 per cent Pinot Noir with a pale yellow colour that has green reflections. Produced from vineyards in the Uco Valley, the wine’s aromas are fresh and fruity, reminiscent of green apple, accompanied by a subtle tropical touch that is well-complemented by a delicate aroma of yeast. In the mouth, the wine presents a smooth and fruity attack, enhanced by its fine and persistent bubbles. Its acid balance gives it distinction and elegance with adequate volume and a good finish on the palate.

María Codorníu Rosat Extra Brut is 100 per cent Pinot Noir that is of a light pink colour with some purple reflections. Also produced in the Uco Valley, the wine has aromas that are fresh and fruity, reminiscent of cherries and preserves, subtly complemented by yeast. In the mouth, it has a smooth and fruity attack, enhanced by its fine and persistent bubbles. Flavours of fresh cherries and a good balance give this wine distinction and elegance, complemented by a sensation of volume that accentuates the finish of the mouth.

Bodega Séptima works arduously to produce wines with clean oenology and little intervention, paying respect to both the varietal characteristics and those of the terroir in which the grapes are born. As a result, wines produced with a strong varietal identity and a sense of terroir combined with innovative winemaking techniques, constitute the DNA of Bodega Séptima. Salud!