Tag: Cava

Bubbly’s take…

There’s a well-rehearsed belief that sparkling wine can ‘go to your head’ or bring on a ‘terrible headache’. We won’t disagree – there’s some cheap stuff out there afterall. However, there are also some great new entrants to the well-celebrated and increasingly popular Cava market.

Franck Massard is an inspiring wine producer, who pivoted to viticulture in 2004 after a career as a sommelier – the first incarnation of the Mas Sardana was bottled in 2011. As you’ll see, his work doesn’t stop with wine, also managing an in-house olive oil franchise.

We thought the Mas Sardana was a little different from first sip. Though a wholesome and dry Cava, we found it to be a softer and lighter than its peers. It’s a great choice to those less initiated to the world of Cava or a trifle worried about feeling fragile the next morning. That said, this is by no means an enfeebled wine. The Mas Sardana still brings a full blossom of fruit to the palate, accented by a delicate aftertaste, which speaks to its Catalonian heritage.

Would go well with…

We tried this Cava solo though that’s not to say it would not make a good mealtime companion. We think this would pair well with a seafood dish – perhaps lemon sole or scallops.

Where to buy…

Naked Wines

Bubbly’s take…

What a lovely sparkling rosé! Made by the esteemed Vilarnau house, this is a very floral Cava. If you are looking for a rosé Cava that has a fruity bouquet then this is the one for you. It comes out of the bottle with a pleasant shade of rose gold and brings a cocktail of flavours – reminiscent of summer berries – to the palate. We found the Vilarnau Rosé a pleasure to enjoy at a very reasonable price!

Would go well with…

Mild cheeses or dessert. That being said, we loved the flavour of this Cava so we think it works perfectly well by itself. We also think this is a great wine to share with friends, family or even just a beatiful (rosé) sunset.

Where to buy…

Tesco

The Drink Shop (‘delicate’ version – not reviewed)

Bubbly’s take…

We stumbled upon this one mainly because we were quite taken with its starry label and a timeless quote by Dom Pérignon. Yet there’s a lot more to the Perelada house than glitzy labels; this winery has been producing in Catalonia, Spain since medieval times – think of a turreted castle, complete with a moat and swans. Perelada make a variety of wines though, in this auspicious Cava, we found plenty of character and depth. The Stars Brut is a refreshing yet smoky sparkling. This Cava is assuredly crisp and charming but also possesses an evocative flavour that speaks to Perelada’s esteemed wine-making tradition.

Would go well with…

A heart paella. Great Cava like this can, of course, be enjoyed solo or as an apéritif. However, to make the most of this enchanting wine, we think the Stars Brut deserves a fitting Spanish feast complete with candlelight and the Gipsy Kings.

Where to buy…

The Drink Shop

Bubbly’s take…

Extremely well-priced and marketed as an organic Cava, it is hard to fault this sparkling at first blush. Out of the bottle, this wine has an enticing shade of citrus and some solid effervescence. It brings a dry, refreshing and zesty taste to the palate. This is a versatile Cava and one we’ve enjoyed both casually and at meal times.

Would go well with…

Most things. Try it with food, and try it with friends or family. But also try it by yourself and on its own. We found this to be both a social and solitary Cava, suitable whatever the mood and the occasion.

Where to buy…

Aldi

Bubbly’s take…

In our view, Freixenet represent one of the most successful Cava franchises. By successful, we mean Freixenet have combined their well-established wine-making tradition with a forward-looking and entrepreneurial approach to yield some of the most accessible and acclaimed Cavas. With over 100 years’ of experience in the viticulture business, the Freixenet dynasty is celebrated throughout the world and known to account for around 80% of Spain’s Cava exports.

We hope to add some more reviews of the Freixenet collection in the near future but we thought we would start with the iconic Gran Selección Cava. This quintessentially dry Cava entered the sparkling wine market back in the 1970s, with its characteristic frosted-black bottle. Both the wine and the bottle, in our opinion, represent a timeless and progressive contribution to the Cava industry.

Would go well with...

Lot’s of things and by itself! We’ve enjoyed the Gran Selección Cava on many occasions (… and whether for an occasion of not). It is a very fitting wine for most Mediterranean dishes but it is perfectly enjoyable without. This proud and punchy Cava brings back warm memories of holidays with friends and family in Spain. That said, more recently, we enjoyed a bottle of this with some homemade pesto polenta lasagna – an excellent fusion of good Spanish wine and wholesome Italian food:

Where to buy…

The Drink Shop

Bubbly’s take…

Well, well, well… we made good on our pledge (below) and we found another great Freixenet to feature – this time it’s a rosé Cava. We were completely surprised by this lovely sparkling wine – the Rosado is surprisingly fruity and refreshing. It bears a dry yet lilting flavour, paying credence to its blend of Terpat and Garnache grapes. The Rosado looks great, it tastes great and it’s a great idea to have a bottle of this ready and chilled on a warm summer day. A pleasant and very satisfying addition to the Freixenet collection.

Would go well with…

Fish. Of course, we think the Rosado could also be enjoyed by itself on a sunny afternoon or evening. The depth and breadth of the wine’s flavour mean there is plenty to be explored. That said, we can’t help but feel this Cava would be best-placed alongside tapas – we’re thinking croquettes, tostadas, padron peppers, manchego and patatas bravas!

Where to buy…

Tesco

Bubbly’s take…

We feel this one could turn into one of our Cava staples. Tanners are are a well-established and -versed provincial wine merchants, with an intriguing history and excellent selection of wines. They offer this signature Cava under their name and with good reason. It is a strong and frothy wine, with a well-balanced flavour. We would see this as one of our “go-to” sparklings that we enjoy when we just can’t decide what to have. It is a characteristic Spanish Cava rightly labelled by an esteemed British wine merchant.

Would go well with…

Most things. We had this on one of our homemade pizza nights so we’re thinking it makes good pairing with Mediterranean dishes.

Bubbly’s take…

Tanners Wine Merchants