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Wine Of The Week: A Splendid Spanish Cava

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The producer Freixenet (pronounced "fresh-eh-net") is widely recognized for its sexy black bottle of Spanish Cava. It’s in most every wine store and grocery aisle and is generally considered to be a great value, entry-level sparkling wine. This family run business is one of the world’s largest producers that uses the method champenoise (the traditional French method for fermenting champagne in the bottle) to craft every wine.  What you may not know is that Freixenet produces nine different styles of Cava and Elyssia, one of their newer styles, is where the action is.

Crafted from 40% Chardonnay, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada and 10% Pinot Noir, it’s an interesting combination of players

Macabeo, found in almost all Cava and widely planted across Northern Spain, lends a nice ripe apple note. The floral and citrus qualities from the lesser known parellada grape embroider this sparkler with a pleasing freshness (read: it’s not cloying or sweet). Toss in two familiar grapes pinot noir and chardonnay for body and structure and you have a fabulous Cava. Never one to take my own word for it, I asked a few friends to try this sparkler as well.  It was a crowd-pleaser, and what impressed the tasters most?  Price.  At $18 a bottle, it’s affordable enough to justify opening a bottle on a Monday, or anytime you feel a need for bubbles.

Elyssia Gran Cuvée Brut, $18

Bright racy bubbles and interesting pear and apple notes complimented by a charming perfume of honey and lemon.