Press releases
In the Tim Atkin MW special report Catalunya Sparkling Wines 2025, prepared by critic Tom Hewson in December 2024, Cava Cygnus Sador from the winery U MES U has been declared Catalan Sparkling Wine of the year in the Entry Level category.
Tim Atkin MW and his team unveiled the results of their prestigious 2025 Catalunya Sparkling Wine Report during Barcelona Wine Week. In an extensive tasting of over 250 sparkling wines, U MES U’s Cygnus Sador Cava stood out for its elegance, finesse, and delicate fruit notes, receiving the highest score in its category and title of Catalan Sparkling Wine of the Year in the Entry Level category (up to €15). The award was presented by renowned critic Tom Hewson, a key member of the Tim Atkin MW team and British magazine Decanter.
This prestigious accolade marks a front-page moment for U MES U, a winery Tom Hewson describes as a “fine example of a top Cava producer flying, for now, a little under the radar”.
Recognition of the winery’s production techniques and an exceptional value for money
The 2025 Catalunya Sparkling Wine Report highlights U MES U’s Cava Cygnus Sador for its subtle character. In the tasting note it is described as “honeyed and fine in profile with white peach, mandarin and pear aromas focused on delicate fruit”.
“I didn’t know the prices whilst tasting these wines, so it was a very pleasant surprise indeed to see the fine Cygnus Sador in this category”, says Tom Hewson, emphasizing this sparkling wine’s exceptional value for money. At the end of the note, he makes a point of saying that it is, without a doubt, “An unqualified recommendation.”
Other outstanding Cavas from U MES U in the 2025 Catalunya Sparkling Wine Report
In addition to the success of Cygnus Sador, other U MES U Cavas also received top scores, highlighting the winery’s ability to produce exceptional Cavas in a variety of styles and price ranges.
Rara Avis Larus 2021 – 93 points
Recognized as one of the region’s finest premium Cavas, this imaginative blend of 50% Xarel.lo and 50% Pinot Noir impressed Tom Hewson who described it in the following words: “The Pinot Noir aromatics here are beautifully true, with some deep, fragrant plum and blackberry fruit meeting toasted almond maturity, spicy dried ginger and citric Xarel-lo to bring out the best in both grapes.”
Cygnus Deneb 2021 – 91 points
A bold example of innovation, this sulphite-free Xarel.lo has been recognized for its mineral character, offering flavours of ripe green apple, bitter lemon, and fennel, with a marine salinity that enhances its freshness. “Making sparkling wines without sulphite additions can lead to speedy evolution, but this appears to be a very fine effort indeed from U MES U”, commented Tom Hewson.
Commitment to excellence in organic winemaking
This recognition from Tim Atkin MW underlines U MES U’s commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation in the production of organic wines and Cavas. The winery continues to push the boundaries in its production techniques while remaining true to its origins, its heritage as a wine- and Cava producer and the unique spirit of the Alt Penedès terroir.
“Receiving this award is a testament to the passion and expertise of our team. At U MES U, we believe in creating wines that speak of their origin, that respect the land and traditions, while at the same time applying the knowledge, experience, and meticulous attention to detail that will allow us to obtain the very best quality. This recognition encourages us to continue in our quest for excellence and our mission to position Cava as one of the finest sparkling wines in the world,” says Maria Piñol, member of the founding family and Director of Sales and Marketing at U MES U.
As U MES U continues to gain recognition both in Spain and internationally, this award reaffirms the fact that although, as Tom Hewson says, the winery sometimes goes unnoticed, there is tremendous potential ahead.