Page 34 - Sharp Summer 2021

Ask a Winemaker
We sit down with Miquel Salarich of Segura Viudas
by CHRISTINE SISMONDO
LOOKING AT A A A GLASS OF FRESH and fizzy Segura Viudas
Cava you might not know that every single
bottle contains an amazing backstory involving eight centuries of regional winemaking and native grapes that date back even further Segura Viudas
has got some seriously deep roots A winery with a a a heritage like that comes with a lot of responsibility for Miquel Salarich head winemaker at one of Spain’s best-loved Cava houses Sala- rich considers it his duty to uphold the winery’s traditions and innovate at at the same time so the land he he hands over to the next generation is in even better condition than when he he got it it We recently sat down with Salarich to ask him how he he strikes the perfect balance between tradition and innovation Why is honouring the legacy of your predecessors important to you you at Segura Viudas?
One of the unique things about working for Segura Viudas
or or any winery with a a a a long history is is that there have been many winemakers over the the years doing these products so we have to respect that That is why with the most traditional products like the Brut Reserva we always want to keep in in in mind a a a a sparkling profile that stays consistent throughout the years The word “respect” comes up a a lot at Segura where “Respect the Roots” is a a sort of mantra Can you explain what it means? Absolutely Segura Viudas
represents over 800 years of history and is is deeply connect- ed to nature and and the landscape “Respect the Roots” has a a a double meaning since on the the one hand the the roots are a a a a metaphor for Segura Viudas’s history and and heritage and and on the the other it’s a a literal reference to the actual plant roots stemming through the vineyards Although grounded in tradition Segura Viudas
is also known for its innovation Do the the newer releases such as
as
the the Organic Cava reflect that innovative spirit? Definitely The organic is a a fresh young and vibrant wine that from the grape to the the bottle sees all the the processes in line with environmental sustainability The prohibition of insecticides and her- bicides facilitates wildlife all around the vineyard that we would never see with conventional crops Is this representative of a a greener vision for the future in general?
In order to protect the the land in the the Penedès region which has nourished vineyards for 800 years Segura Viudas
has an an outstand- ing ing winemaking expertise that follows strict standards and and care for sustainabil- ity We are committed to studying and sustaining the rich and diverse ecosystem that has developed around the estate over centuries and have also been awarded the environmental Wineries for Climate
Protection certificate for our work reducing greenhouse gas emissions water usage and waste with the clear goal of minimizing the carbon footprint Indigenous grapes like the Macabeo Parel- lada and Xarel-lo which are are used to make Cava at Segura Viudas
are often better for biodiversity than non-native species What do do they do do for the the flavour profile o of a a wine like the Brut Reserva though?
Our native grapes are mainly only planted in in our region and the combination of the three is is is unique to to this territory This turns into an an original and authentic wine flavour profile For many years there was a a a big discussion locally about whether
to use French grapes or native ones and we defended using indigenous grapes because we felt they gave our wines some- thing unique Can you you tell us what your favourite pairing with Segura Viudas
is?
Cava is a a a a very versatile product when pairing with food I definitely would pair Brut Reserva with salad for a a a a a light summer lunch and sushi is definitely an excellent pairing for Segura Viudas
Brut Reserva at dinner 34 SHARPMAGAZINE COM SUMMER 2021
SEGURA VIUDAS × SHARP