While Penedes may be best known for cava, they also make rosé.  Less than 3% of all cava is rosé, and there aren’t a huge number of them that are exported in comparison to regular cava.  The extra tinge of color is more than that, it’s also an imbuing of flavor and body, which can come from any of the local red grapes, including pinot noir, monastrell, or garnacha.  With all that potential, how does Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé compare to their cava?

Sight:  Bright pink-red, almost like a strawberry or cranberry juice, with a few little bubbles

Smell:  Hints of earthiness start off, and give way to a strawberry and raspberry.  Delicious black cherry and a touch of herbalness joins in.    The freshness of all the red fruit is quite standout.

Sip:  The start is bright, and then the carbonation follows up for a one – two punch towards an aggressive texture.   Strawberry and black cherry start to bleed through, before being followed up by underripe raspberries and fresh cranberries.    The earthiness from the nose is generally subdued.

Savor:  The ending continues to pull in strawberry and raspberry, but disappears quickly.

Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé has a lot of powerful red fruits going for it, and makes a very refreshing combination.  While the fruit flavors are generally strong, and the nose has complexity, texturally, it’s a little aggressive.  That said, as a sparkling rosé for under ten, there’s a lot of value in this bottle.  If you want something that pulls in some fresh berries to ring in the new year, then Jaume Serra Cristalino Brut Rosé has a lot going for it.

Verdict:  Raspberry, Strawberry, Tingly, Bright
Price: $10
Penedes, Spain
Available at Wine.Com

Miscellaneous fun fact, it seems the Jaume Serra caps are collectable, and have fun designs!