Varieties Jané Ventura
Gerard wants to recuperate the region’s old red and white varieties, but he also works with old vines of international grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. His main white variety is Macabeu, Catalonia’s best-known grape, and part of cava’s trilogy. At Finca Els Camps, 450 m above sea level, he produces a small quantity of a top quality white wine that is recognised as the best from this grape in all parts of Spain: spicy, very Mediterranean in character, with a superb minerality. Gerard is also trying to revive Malvasía de Sitges, a grape variety of which only a few hectares are left. He uses it on its own or blends it in his «Selecció blanc», or «Finca Els Camps». For his cava and his Selecció blanc, Gerard also uses Xarello, the other star grape of the region in white. Jané Ventura owns 17 hectares of vines but also buys grapes from neighbouring winegrowers, which farm their land according to the bodega’s high standards. The estate itself includes 2.5 hectares of Macabeu, 2.5 hectares of Xarello and 1.7 hectare of Malvasia de Sitges. As far as the red grapes are concerned, the most planted variety is Cabernet Sauvignon (mainly used for the top wine Mas Vilella). These are old vines (more than 30 years old). Another top cuvee, Finca Els Camps, is made with Ull de llebre, the Catalan version of Tempranillo, which is more tannic then in the continental parts of Spain, where it gives its best. But Gerard’s flagship red variety is Sumoll – a local grape that all but disappeared and gives light wines with a nice acidity. Not easy to use on its own, but perfect to blend – like in the Selecció Negre, and other reds to which it brings freshness and acidity, helping the other grapes to mingle into the wine. The estate comprises 3.5 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, 2.5 hectares of Syrah, 2.5 hectares of Ull de llebre, 0.8 hectare of Merlot and 0.8 hectare of Sumoll. Since 2010, the whole vineyard is organically farmed.