In the glass
Aroma: candied fruit, blossom, chamomile, soft bread
Palate: fine lees, dry nuts, wild herbs, powerful flavour
Xarel-lo-Macabeo Gran Reserva Brut aged 50-plus months on lees, the brand's classic since 1951. Candied fruit and blossom on the nose; fine lees, dry nuts and wild herbs on the palate. Demeter-certified biodynamic.
What it pairs with
-
Iberian ham
Find iberian ham on TableJourney →
Long-lees Gran Reserva partners Bellota-aged ham's salty-sweet richness; the wine's dry nuts echo the cured pork. -
Bacalla a la llauna
Find bacalla a la llauna on TableJourney →
Salt cod with paprika and garlic finds a partner in the wine's saline drive and Mediterranean herb register. -
Aged Manchego
Lees-toast almond complexity matches aged sheep's-milk cheese. -
Roast chicken with herbs
Long-lees Brut handles poultry with herb sauce; bright acidity cuts the fat.
History
Imperial Gran Reserva pioneered extended ageing in Penedes when first produced in 1951. The Gramona family is now in its 5th generation; the estate has been Demeter-certified biodynamic for viticulture and winemaking since 2014 (an unusual double certification). 2026 marks the 75th vintage of Imperial.
- 1951 — First Imperial Gran Reserva vintage, pioneering extended Cava ageing in Penedes
- 2014 — Gramona estate Demeter-certified biodynamic for viticulture and winemaking
- 2019 — Founding member of the Corpinnat collective
- 2026 — 75th vintage of Imperial Gran Reserva
Facts
- Producer
- Gramona
- Grapes
- Xarel-lo (65%), Macabeo (35%)
- Classification
- Corpinnat
- Oak
- Stainless steel; minimum 50 months on lees in bottle
- ABV
- 12.0%
- Price
- EUR 25 to 40 at retail
- Drinking window
- 1-10 from disgorgement
- First vintage
- 1951
- Biodynamic
- Demeter Certified
- Organic
- CCPAE
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Imperial Gran Reserva Brut
What does Gramona Imperial taste like?
Candied fruit, blossom, chamomile and soft bread on the nose; fine lees, dry nuts, wild herbs and a powerful flavourful palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long elegant finish.
When should I drink Imperial Gran Reserva?
Drink between 1 and 10 years from disgorgement. The 50-plus month lees ageing has developed substantial autolytic depth; the Xarel-lo backbone gives further cellar tolerance.
What grapes are in Imperial Gran Reserva?
65 percent Xarel-lo and 35 percent Macabeo from the Demeter-certified biodynamic Gramona estate. Gran Reserva Brut aged at least 50 months on lees, the brand's classic since 1951.
What food pairs with Imperial?
Iberian ham, bacalla a la llauna, aged Manchego and roast chicken with herbs. The long-lees Gran Reserva depth handles the Catalan tapas and savoury repertoire.