Cava is the sparkling wine of Spain. It has been made in the Spanish wine region of Catalonia since the 1800's. In just one little town outside of Barcelona with a population of just 11,000 over 11 million cases of Cava are made.
It enjoyed some popularity in the States as the sparkling wine Freixenet which many drank in place of Champagne because it was cheap. But Cava's reputation as a quality wine lagged and it lived in the shadow of Processco and other fine alternatives to Champagne. That is changing.
I predict that Cava will be the hot sparkling wine this Summer. Why? you ask. Well as Eric Asimov reports in this NY Times Article "Cava, the Prosecco of Spain, Gets Its Due — at Last", he and many others are recognizing that there is great enjoyment in the better productions of this wine.
Last night we tasted a delicious Cava Brut by an estate called 1+1=3. Picked it up at Amanti Vino. As we sipped it images of Barcelona danced through our minds.
This is such a refreshing wine, perfect for summer leisure time. The sparkle is just right, gentle tiny but plentiful and persistent bubbles. It is made with three Spanish grapes, Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. This trifecta of Catalonian grapes all lend themselves to become young, light, fresh, fruity, lightly acidic, gentle and fulfilling wine. Combined they are perfect.
The Wine Advocate says "This winery does have a real name, “U Mes U Fan Tres,” but its distinctive labels appear with the moniker “1 + 1 = 3.” Some good values emerge from this estate, including the non-vintage Cava Brut, which exhibits an Italian Prosecco-like frothiness along with light-bodied, elegant, crisp, grapefruit and lemon zest characteristics. Made in a refreshing style meant for easy consumption, it should be enjoyed over the next six months. Score: 87. —Robert Parker, June 2005.
As a Cava this wine is unique in that it is made by one of the few estates in the Penedès that exclusively bottles wines from its own vineyards. You kow you are getting the best hand picked grapes.
I like this wine a lot. It does not have the bready taste you find in some Proseco and is certainly a lot livelier.
Eric like these "three other inexpensive cavas worth noting for their pleasant, refreshing qualities include the 2006 Raventós i Blanc L’Hereu brut reserva, the Castellroig brut and the Vega Barcelona brut reserva, all $15 to $17.
Another one we like is Casa Dora "which is made in the hills some 30 miles west of Barcelona lies the village of Sant Sadurni d'Anoia. That is the sleepy Catalan town town with a population of just over 11,000 that has an annual production of over 11,000,000 cases Cava.
A fun summer cocktail to make with Cava is this one by Lordes Castro published on Tempra Tantrum.
Summertime Cocktails: Mojito Recipe with a Spanish Twist!
Ingredients
1/2 lime, cut into 4 pieces
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn, plus 1 mint sprig for garnish
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Ice cubes
1/4 cup (2 ounces) white rum
1/2 cup chilled Cava, sparkling wine
Directions
In a tall glass, muddle the pieces of lime, the mint leaves and sugar. When the sugar is dissolved, fill the glass with ice and stir in the rum and Cava. Serve and Enjoy!
You will be seeing this drink on my deck or down the shore this Summer.
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