The Taranatas Sparkling White is certified organic and vegan-friendly, produced from 50% Macabeo and 50% Airén grapes in the Utiel-Requena region of Valencia in eastern Spain, just west of the Mediterranean Ocean. The Macabeo grape is one of the 3 grapes (Xarel-lo and Parellada are the other 2) traditionally used in the making of Cava Sparkling wine and Airén is a local Spanish grape, not long ago it was the #1 most planted grape in the world, it’s now down to third, but Spain still grows a lot of these vines. The alcohol content is 11.5%.
The color is a pale golden-yellow, with tiny bubbles. The nose is lemon, with a little melon, crisp apple, orange blossom honey, and a delicate floral edge. I was expecting a light, crisp Bubbly, but the Tarantas has some weight to its flavors and a solid bit of structure. It starts with Meyer lemon, melon, grapefruit, pear, and guava. The mid-palate shows a sweet sensation that is well-balanced by the acidity, this is one of those wines where you are not sure if it is sweet or not, along with a late hit of lemon cream. The acidity is well-balanced, this will work with food and is an excellent sipper. The finish is subtle, but the acidity keeps it going for a very long time.
I really did not know what to expect from a Macabeo/Airén Sparkling wine and a Spanish Bubbly that was not from the Cava region to boot. But the Taranatas Sparkling White is a very pleasant surprise, it is a $10 Bubbly with good balance and tasty flavors. Add in certified organic and vegan-friendly and you have a solid everyday Bubbly that will pair with Mediterranean-inspired foods and will be a crowd pleaser as a party wine.
