At Our Sommelier, we’ve always believed that sparkling wine has a marvellous habit of rewarding curiosity. The moment you think you’ve mapped every corner of the fizz-filled universe, a producer quietly crafting brilliance steps forward and politely rewrites the script. Spain, in particular, has been offering these surprises with increasing regularity – not in a grand flourish, but with the calm confidence of regions that know their best chapters are just beginning.
Among the most compelling of these stories is the ascent of Bodegas Hispano Suizas. Their work in Utiel-Requena has long intrigued those of us who delight in the intersection of tradition and experimentation. Extended lees ageing, thoughtful use of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and an unapologetic focus on elegance over extravagance – it’s the kind of philosophy that tends to age as gracefully as the wines themselves.
And now, that quiet excellence has caught the attention of one of the wine world’s most discerning palates. What follows is a look at how Hispano Suizas’ Cavas have stepped into the British spotlight with unmistakable style, guided by the keen eye (and famously measured scoring) of Jancis Robinson MW.
The UK Discovers Hispano Suizas’ Cavas Through Jancis Robinson
“Renowned Master of Wine Jancis Robinson, widely regarded as the most influential voice in wine criticism today, has given a major boost to Bodegas Hispano Suizas’ Tantum Ergo Cavas with outstanding ratings in her latest sparkling wine tasting.
This marks the first time Robinson has tasted Hispano Suizas’ Cavas, and the results were exceptional: using her 20-point scale, the Tantum Ergo Chardonnay & Pinot Noir 2022 and the Tantum Ergo Vintage 2020 both scored 17 points, with only one Cava surpassing that score across the entire tasting. A strong entry into a market like the UK, where sparkling wines hold a special place.
Both Cavas are a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, with the latter variety being used in Blanc de Noirs style and the Vintage 2020 aged on lees for nearly 50 months, twice the time of the 2022.
Jancis Robinson is known for her rigorous and restrained scoring, which makes these ratings even more significant. In the same tasting, Hispano Suizas’ Albariño Finca Casa Julia earned 16.5 points, an impressive achievement for an Albariño grown at 700 meters above sea level in Mediterranean Utiel-Requena (a region not traditionally associated with this Galician grape). “Who would have thought an Albariño from Utiel-Requena could be this good?” she remarked during the tasting.
The Tantum Ergo Rosé, made exclusively from Pinot Noir, also received 16 points, in line with other Hispano Suizas wines presented at this tasting.
Of the seven wines from Utiel-Requena tasted by Jancis Robinson team in the past year, the five highest-rated all belong to Bodegas Hispano Suizas, further solidifying its position as a benchmark producer in the region.”
Source: bodegashispanosuizas.com
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Our Sommelier is a leading importer and purveyor of fine wines based in Blackheath, London. With a curated selection of wines sourced from prestigious vineyards around the globe and is dedicated to delivering unparalleled quality and sophistication to discerning clients and corporations.