Vineyards and production
The Josep Ferret Guasch Agridulce Cava Bittersweet Vinegar is produced by the Ferret Guasch family in Font-Rubí, in the heart of Catalonia's Penedès region. The family winery was established by Josep Maria Ferret Guasch in 1997 after a lifetime working in the family's wine business, with a philosophy centred on quality, craftsmanship and sustainable growth. The Penedès is one of Catalonia's most important wine regions, characterised by rolling hills, varied microclimates and a long tradition of Cava production.
Rather than being a conventional balsamic vinegar from Italy, this distinctive Spanish condiment is made using Cava, grape must and fruit syrup, bringing together the bright acidity of wine vinegar with a naturally rounded sweetness. The vinegar is aged for four years, allowing the different components to integrate and develop greater depth and balance while retaining the lively character derived from its Cava origins.
The result is a versatile bittersweet vinegar with considerably more complexity than a straightforward wine vinegar. Its combination of acidity and gentle sweetness makes it particularly effective in dishes where a traditional balsamic might otherwise be used, while its Cava base gives it a fresher, more lifted character.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep amber with attractive mahogany tones and a glossy appearance, reflecting its extended maturation and concentrated character.
Nose
Aromatically expressive, with notes of ripe grape, dried fruit and caramelised fruit alongside gentle vinous acidity. Subtle sweet-and-sour aromas give the vinegar an inviting balance between richness and freshness.
Palate
Luscious and concentrated, with a pronounced bittersweet character. The initial sweetness of ripe fruit and grape must is quickly balanced by bright acidity, creating a rounded yet lively palate. Notes of raisins, cooked fruit and light caramel develop through the finish, with a lingering sweet-sour character that makes it particularly effective as a finishing condiment.
Food pairing
Exceptionally versatile and particularly well suited to seafood. Drizzle over oysters, grilled prawns, scallops, crab or simply prepared white fish to add acidity and a subtle touch of sweetness. It is equally effective over tomato and burrata salads, roasted vegetables, grilled peppers and aubergines, while a few drops can transform vinaigrettes, marinades and pan sauces.
It also works beautifully with richer ingredients, including foie gras, pâté and aged cheeses, and can be used to add contrast to dishes featuring pork or duck. For a simple serving, try a few drops over ripe tomatoes, strawberries or vanilla ice cream for a sweet-and-savoury finish.
Background story
Josep Maria Ferret Guasch established his own winery in 1997 together with his wife and son, building on a lifetime of experience in the family's wine business. Based in Font-Rubí in the Penedès, the winery produces Cavas, wines and vinegars, combining the area's long-established winemaking traditions with modern production techniques. The family's philosophy is firmly centred on quality rather than quantity, with the aim of creating distinctive products that reflect the character of Catalonia and the Penedès.
The use of Cava as the foundation for this vinegar gives it a particularly distinctive identity. Cava's naturally fresh acidity provides the backbone, while grape must and fruit syrup contribute richness and sweetness. Four years of ageing allow these contrasting elements to develop into a harmonious bittersweet condiment with both depth and freshness.
The result is an unusually versatile vinegar that bridges the gap between a sharp wine vinegar and a richer, sweeter balsamic-style condiment. Its affinity with seafood has made it a particular favourite among chefs, where its combination of acidity, sweetness and concentration can bring out the natural flavours of delicate ingredients without overwhelming them.
A distinctive expression of the Penedès, the Josep Ferret Guasch Agridulce Cava Bittersweet Vinegar is an elegant and highly versatile kitchen essential, equally at home finishing seafood dishes, enriching sauces and dressings or adding an unexpected sweet-sour dimension to desserts and cheese.
