I fell in love with this sparkling wine from Spain when I went for tasting Chinese cuisine at the Yum Yum Tree last month. Produced from the indigenous Trepat (70%) grape that gives it strawberry like flavour, blended with Garnacha (Grenache-the signature grape of South of France) grape (30%) that gives it colour and a bit of warmth, its attractive pink colour is inviting enough. But the floral aromas prevalent make it a very fresh wine. It is quite crisp and fruity and though Brut, has undertones of slight sweetness (perhaps 6-9 gms.) which handles medium spicy food rather well.
 Don't expect miracles on the after-taste front although it is very light, persistent and quite tangy on the palate. It has characteristic rosé wines characteristic of the cava region. It uses the traditional method of making champagne for producing cava according to the D. O. regulations.
Although Freixenet Cava (that is how sparkling wines are called in Spain, if they have D.O. Cava appellation) is the highest selling sparkling wine in the world and the most popular brand in the US, the owners and the staff are very passionate about wine making and it shows in the clean value-for-money wine.
I won't compare it with Rose Champagne, but at less than a fourth the price, it is an excellent substitute at parties and for quaffing.
Although not yet available in retail but only in restaurants like the Yum Yum Tree (Rs.2100), Global Tax Free Traders have promised me that they will put it in Retail soon. At around Rs. 1000, it would be a good celebratory drink that can be enjoyed, not only by women, at any time-as aperitif and with lighter foods. It is certainly a vegetarian's delight.
Serve it chilled at 6-8 deg C in Champagne flute and say Cheers!
Subhash Arora |