This interview is conducted in English.
In this live-recorded episode, Nelson Roberge and Leonardo Calcagno welcome Gerardo, export director for the Catalan winery U Més U (Família Piñol), located in Font-rubí in the Alt Penedès region. Gerardo introduces us to the history and philosophy of this third-generation family-owned winery, whose name means “1+1” in Catalan to illustrate the idea that every contribution counts and that “1 + 1 = 3.” A pioneer in organic wine and committed to producing exceptionally fresh cavas, the winery relies on certified viticulture, rigorous temperature control, and sulfite-free winemaking during extraction to preserve the purity of the fruit and avoid bitterness. The discussion also covers the reality of a company that exports 80% of its production—particularly to the Nordic countries, where it dominates sales—as well as the dynamics of international markets and a tasting of their Cygnus Sador reserve cuvée, aged for 30 months on slats.
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Podcast Highlights:
- The U Més U philosophy: A family-run winery where the third generation is taking the reins, guided by the belief that human synergy and attention to detail create superior value.
- Pioneers in Organic Farming and Innovation: Josep Piñol’s pivotal role in the appellation’s transition to organic farming and the early introduction of grape varieties such as Pinot Noir to the region.
- An Export-Oriented Model: Why approximately 80% of production is destined for international markets, including resounding success in Sweden and expansion into Canada and the Americas.
- Temperature-controlled winemaking: Gentle extraction of the juice as soon as the grapes arrive and the absence of sulfites during pressing to eliminate any unwanted bitterness and maximize drinkability.
- Tasting Notes for Cava Cygnus Sador (Brut Nature): The classic Catalan blend—Xarel·lo for structure and acidity, Macabeu for orchard notes, and Parellada for floral aromas—enhanced by 30 months of traditional aging.
- Industry Insight: The resilience of the sparkling wine category in the face of global economic challenges and the importance of partnerships aligned with shared values.
This podcast is presented by Étiquettes PDF and was recorded during the La Grande Dégustation de Montréal event, which took place November 6–8, 2025.