I always appreciate buying something from a specialist, as opposed to a jack of all trades. In the case of Juvé & Camps, all they make is cava—the traditional-method sparkling wine for which their region of Penedès, in the northeast corner of Spain, a short drive from Barcelona, is renowned.

The winery’s history dates back 225 years, when Joan Juvé Mir, a forward-thinking winemaker, first planted vines. But it was exactly 100 years ago that “Joan Juvé Baqués, son of Antoni Juvé Escaiola and husband of Teresa Camps Ferrer, set up the underground facilities in the family home in Sant Sadurní d’Anoia to make the first sparkling wine under the Juvé brand name,” the company notes.

This particular wine hails from Propietat d’Espiells, the largest of the winery’s estates, in the prime winemaking zone of the Alt Penedès, on the slopes of Montserrat, which protects its adjacent Spanish lands from the cold north winds.

Juve Y Camps Pinot Noir Brut Rosé Cava — Penedès, Spain ($24.95)
The first thing you notice about this non-vintage sparkling rosé is its vibrant hue. It’s like they’ve thrown a salmon pink sapphire into the barrel to extract colour. It’s fruity on the nose (think of the smell of fresh cherries and strawberries on toast). But at 10 grams of sugar per litre, it’s not at all sweet. The finish is quite clean, smooth and lengthy, given its modest price.

Makes you wish it was still summer to enjoy this outdoors. But inside, perhaps with a creamy risotto, will do just fine. 90