We were awed by both the wines presented and the four hundred and fifty year history of Codorniu-Raventos.  The event was 'Courses in Cava', a showing of Anna de Codorniu sparkling wines, conducted by Aveniu Brands and held at the smart Ray's & Stark Restaurant.  This located at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Codorniu-Raventods is the oldest famly owned winery in Spain and the 17th oldest in the world.  It was founded by Jaume de Codorniu in 1551 and is now operated by the 12th generation. 
The age of some of the Cava sparkling wines we tasted was remarkable in itself besides the superior quality of the wines.
Most of the Cava wines we tasted were under the Anna de Codorniu label.  It honors the Anna who married Miquel Raventos in 1659 and created the Raventos family that has owned Codorniu since then.  We opened with Anna de Codorniu Blanc de Blancs, a blend of Chardonnay and three other local varietals, Parellada, Macabeo and Xarel-lo.  The vintage was 2007 and remarkable for its pleasing aroma, full flavors and lasting finish.
It was served with our first course of yellowtail crudo with kumquats and cucumber aguachile.  Entree was chicken breast with English peas and spring salad.  The wine Anna de Codorniu Brut Rose made with 70 per cent Pinot Noir and 30 per cent Chardonnay.  With a dessert of passion fruit mousse with honey lavender ice cream our Cava was Anna de Codorniu Dulce, a sweeter wine at 11.5 per cent alcohol and blended with Chardonnay and the three local varietals.
Representing Aveniu Brands was Oriol Gabarro, marketing director, while well known local wine instructor Matthew Kaner described the origins and pairing of the Codorniu Cava wines, all with much aging and the quality that has given these wines a world wide reputation.