When I developed the CorkPopper Calendar last August, I was sure not only to schedule the most important wine-producing countries during long months but also to ensure that certain weeks would focus on certain special wines. Thus, the last week of December was dedicated to French sparkling wines (in order to celebrate New Year’s Eve), and this week stars Spain’s famous sparkler, Cava (in order to coincide with Valentine’s Day*).
Cava is a type of Spanish sparkling wine that is most commonly found in the Catalonia region just southwest of Barcelona, although under Spanish DO laws, it can be produced in any of six different regions. These same laws require that Cava be produced using the champagne method and must be made using a combination of Macabeo, Parellada, Xarello, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and/or Subirat grapes. More Cava is made than any other sparkling wine in the world, and tens of millions of cases are distributed all over the world every year.
Cava comes in varying levels of dryness, much like other sparkling wines, and is usually easily recognized by its slight rubbery aroma (which sounds horrible but, in a good Cava at least, is not reflected in the palate). I’ll be tasting three different Cavas this week, all of which are available for under $10/bottle. Woohoo!!!
First, is a Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, which earned 90 points from Wine & Spirits and is available at wine.com for just $8.99/bottle.
Second, we have a Gran Sarao Brut Cava Penedes, which is a K&L Wine Merchants Top Pick and is available for just $9.99/bottle.
Finally, we have a Castillo de Perelada Brut Cava, which is also available over at K&L for just $9.99/bottle. This Cava is apparently what the King of Spain, Juan Carlos I, serves at all official state functions. I’d say that’s quite a recommendation.
* While I don’t entirely buy into consumer-focused holidays such as Valentine’s Day (J and I will be doing something special together rather than spending massive amounts of money on gifts), I never pass up an opportunity to celebrate with a fun bottle of bubbly.