Hello Prince Albert! As a lover of sparkling wines from around the world, I’m always looking for delicious wines at affordable prices. While there are literally hundreds of options to choose from, my search often leads me to Cremant (especially from the Loire Valley), Prosecco (over 30 varieties available in Prince Albert) and Champagne (which is usually out of my price range). Another category of sparkling wines which has become a personal favorite of mine over the years is Cava, due to its affordability and quality level. Have you given Cava wines a chance?
Similar to designated wines like Champagne (France) or Prosecco (Italy), Cava is a protected term for a type of sparkling wine which can legally only come from Spain. There are many stringent regulations and quality-control measures in place to not only protect the reputation of Cava but also to ensure that customers are getting a product which follows a certain standard of quality. Some of these standards include grape selection and harvesting (mostly done by hand) and also the types of grapes that winemakers are permitted to use like Macabeo, Xarel-lo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Garnacha (red), Mataro (aka Monastrell), Pinot Noir and Trepat, among many others. The Hola! Pink Cava is comprised of 50% Macabeo, 25% Xarel-lo, and 25% Pinot Noir (which is where the orange/pink color comes from).
Besides grape selection, Cava has many stages during the winemaking process where surprise inspections may occur. These inspections are conducted by a regulatory body during harvest (where yield is heavily scrutinized), production (pressing, blending, maceration, fermentation) and aging (where the wine is finalized and put into bottles to rest). Speaking of resting time for these sparkling wines, basic Cava must rest on its lees (leftover yeast cells) for a minimum of 6 months, “Cava de Guarda” for 9 months, “Reserva” for 15 months and “Gran Reserva” for 30 months. These aging minimums result in exceptional quality and flavor, especially when comparing the prices for Cava against Champagne.
The sparkling wines of Cava can be either white or rose (pink) but must contain a minimum of 9.5% ABV and a maximum of 11.5% ABV. Liqueur de expedicion/dosage is used (just like in Champagne) to balance the final wine in the bottle and sweeten the wine to the appropriate level. This is not to be confused with the liqueur de tirage which is a blend of base wine, sucrose/sugar and grape must used to restart fermentation in the bottle (2nd fermentation similar to the wines of Champagne). Winemakers must be cautious with liqueur de tirage as according to Cava regulations, it cannot increase the final alcohol content of the wine by more than 1.5% ABV. As you can see, even in basic terms, sparkling wine production (especially traditional method) can be a tedious and complicated process which gives us even more reason to appreciate and enjoy its finer qualities.
This week was perfect for sparkling wines and beverages as the hot weather quickly made me thirsty. In need of refreshment, I also tried the Cono Sur 100% Chardonnay from Bio Bio Valley in Chile. The Cono Sur was not as fine as the Pink Cava but it brought some excellent intensity and its crisp character easily suits many types of foods. I can’t forget to mention the Happy Dad Fruit Punch seltzer which is a great gluten-free alternative to White Claw with only 1g of sugar. The Pink Cava is my top choice this week so go try a sip or two! Here are my wine picks of the week!
Cono Sur 100% Chardonnay Sparkling Wine: (Bio Bio Valley, Chile). Dry sparkling white with a pale lemon/green color. The nose is zesty with freshly peeled citrus, yeasty baked bread crust, lemon and limestone mineral. The flavors here are tart, dry and crisp with high intensity and mouth-tingling medium-plus acidity. Sour green apple, rhubarb sourness and fresh lime juice mingle with a frothy, foamy mouthfeel (very active bubbles) and medium-plus carbonation. This sparkling Chardonnay is blunt and simple with one-dimensional flavors, but the tingly acidity and mouthwatering accents of limestone, lime and green apple make up for its simplicity. Medium body with enjoyable intensity and concentration. Medium-length finish. Good! $26, 12.5% ABV
Hola! Brut Pink Cava Vintage 2016: (D.O. Cava, Spain). Off-dry sparkling rose with a pale orange color. While the bouquet of this Cava is on the lighter side, fine scents of citrus peels, raspberries, strawberries and violets mingle beautifully. On the palate, this pink Cava is light-bodied with creamy, satisfyingly small bubbles. There is just the right amount of activity in the small strings of bubbles with medium carbonation and medium-plus acidity. The flavors are more intense than the aromas as you taste toasty citrus notes, sweet mineral, raspberries, strawberries and a blend of floral/confectionary flavors (violet and Turkish Delight). There is a surprising amount of concentration to be found as each sip is balanced and nuanced with red fruit and sweet floral tones. The finish is long with hints of creamy cheese, toast and red fruit. The acidity continues to buzz on the tongue as well. Very good! $26, 11.5% ABV
Happy Dad Fruit Punch Hard Seltzer: (Ontario, Canada). Off-dry sparkling seltzer with a transparent color. The scents of this seltzer are fruity and sweet with tropical fruits, Tahiti Treat and Tutti Fruity candy. The sweetness and alcohol are hardly noticeable at all on the taste and the style is similar to White Claw beverages with a neutral flavor at first quickly followed by fruity, tropical notes (melon and red berries). The drink is light-bodied with medium carbonation, making it very easy to drink. The finish is simple and quick with crisp, clean flavors. Low intensity at first, most of the flavors are found on the aftertaste. Great for sipping at the lake or around the fire. Good! $6.50/Can, 5% ABV
Cheers and thanks for reading!
