This is the largest co-op in Catalonia, controls some 3000 hectares in 50 different municipalities; and produces an average of 25 million kilos - 92% of which are white. Approximately 55% become Cava, making Covides the 3rd or 4th largest producer in Spain.
The varieties are of course those classic of the Penedès - Parellada (for intense lemon), Macabeo (for a good pineappley middle), and Xarel-lo (for alcohol, peppery zing and length); although there is no shortage of Chardonnay; while, unusually, it is the rare and extremely full-flavoured Trepat that provides the base for their Rosado.
The emphasis here is on light, dry, sheeny , un-aged styles; and we import just 2: an easy-drinking Brut NV and winemaker María Gallup's first ever Garnacha/Trepat Brut Rosado NV, which while dry has exceptional strawberry overtones.
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