Handford Wines

This chic, pocket-sized cellar was founded in 1918, and continues to be dedicated to making modest amounts of high quality fizz in the pretty coastal town of Tiana, some twenty minutes up the coast from Barcelona, in Alella. Since the early 1980s, however, the still wines are all vinified over the mountains on the cooler, western side of the Alella DO, at the modern facilities of Santa María Martorelles; and the original picturesque site at Tiana - with its marvellous underground tunnels hewn out of solid rock - is used purely for ageing and bottling. The enterprise now belongs to the Raventos Basagoiti family - who, together with charming, stalwart General Manager José Puig and new export lady Montse Valera, are in the process of giving it a new lease of life; and it remains steadfastly small, high quality, handcrafted, and distinctly at odds with the mainstream output of the Penedès. In addition to the popular Cuvée 21, the extensive range includes 2 cracking Pinot Noir styles - one dry and one for desserts; and the delicious Titiana Chardonnay.

The Wine

Super fine creamy Reserva Cava made from predominantly the noble Cava grape Xarello, but with components of Parallada and Macabeo. Wonderful fresh creamy mouse, fine bead of bubbles, and wonderful leesy, biscuit complexity from 36 months aging on its lees. All topped off with clean, fresh mouth watering acidity. This is a super premium Cava in its own right, but also a fine Champagne replacement of you are on a tighter budget.

Single Bottle: £14.99

In a case of 12: £14.24