Jenny Siddall

Biography

Jenny fell in love with wine through travel and guiding tours for 5 years in many countries as far and wide as Argentina and Chile to Spain.  In 2005 she moved to La Rioja, to work in the wine industry and further her knowledge of wine. After studying a Masters in Viticulture and Oenology she ran the wine tourism department of Bodegas Baigorri where she found the best way to properly understand wine making was to experience it firsthand.  The expertise gained encouraged her to set up Taste Rioja, a wine tourism business in Spain´s Rioja wine region.  Jenny is currently studying for the WSET (Wine and Spirit Education Trust) Diploma in London and has completed WSET level 3.  She works as a freelance wine educator and as a wine guide, organising courses, tastings and tours worldwide.

Favourite Cava

Gramona III Lustros Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2009. Elegant fine bubbles with complex aromas of brioche, toast, caramel, toasted almond and zesty citrus.  Well structured and balanced acidity with a long persistent finish.

General Tasting Impression

Overall I was impressed with the quality and range of Cavas tasted.  We tasted fresh zesty young Cavas to complex Grand Reservas which had been aged for various years in the bottle.  The aromas produced from the ageing on the lees (autolysis) gave great elegance to the Reserva and Grand Reserva Cavas with complex aromas of brioche, toast and almond giving more mouth feel and a longer finish.  It was a privilege to compare and taste all these wines blind.

Final Thoughts

Do look out for the disgorgement date on the back label. Many producers are now including the date and it is a useful indication of when the Cava should be consumed by.