The Cava D.O. has determined that all Cava aged 18 months or more on the lees will require organic certification starting in 2025.
This includes Cava Reserva (aged at least 18 months on the lees), Gran Reserva (aged at least 30 months on the lees), and Cava de Paraje Calificado (aged at least 36 months on the lees).
Hoya de Cadenas Cava Brut
80% Macabeo, 20% Chardonnay; 11.5% alcohol; $18
Aged in the bottle for a minimum of 12 months, this Cava is made from organically farmed Macabeo and Chardonnay grapes.
Tasting Notes from Vicente Gandia USA:
"Straw yellow colour, with elegant and persistent bubbles. Clean and fruity aroma with prominent citrus character and an undertone of floral notes. The full bodied Chardonnay offers a magnificent presence on the palate, dry but at the same time fruity, and a lingering aftertaste with very well balanced bubbles. Carbonic gas."
Suggested Food Pairings: Apéritifs, smoked fish and meat, oysters, grilled fish, sushi, seafood, caviar and light desserts.
Food Pairing
According to Fiona Beckett writing for the Cava D.O., "what makes Cava stand out is its ripeness and savouriness. Coming from a warmer climate than many other sparkling wines it doesn’t need much if any additional dosage (the sweet liquor with which most sparkling wines are topped up) so the wines are drier, richer and therefore more adaptable with food."
Tasting Notes
Visual: pale yellow that shimmers like gold
Aroma: acacia flowers, fuzzy fruit skin, cantaloupe, nectarines, whipped cream, freshly cleaned sheets
Taste: deep richness, lemon zest, fine to medium bubbles, sunflower seed hulls
Celebrate Summer with Cava
July 12 is Cava Day. Learn more about this Spanish sparkler from the Wine Pairing Weekend writers:
"Huevos Rotos (Broken Eggs) + Juve & Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva Brut" from Camilla at Culinary Cam
"Cava and Croissants? Yes Please!" from Andrea at The Quirky Cork
"Grilled Teriyaki Chicken+Cava= A Perfect Summer Pairing" from Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm
"Coconut Almond Tea Cakes and Torre Oria Cava Rosè" from Terri at Our Good Life
"Cava with an eclectic array of Tapas!" from Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles
"Hoya de Cadenas Cava Brut and Coctel de Camaron" from Deanna at Wineivore
"2017 Can Descregut Corpinnat Brut Nature Reserva + Spanish Inspired Appetizers!" from Martin at ENOFYLZ Wine
"Slightly sweet Cava Brut ups your grilling options" from Linda at My Full Wine Glass
"For a Sparkling Summer Surprise, Try Spain’s Biodynamic Raventos i Blanc with Anchovy Sammies" from Gwendolyn at Wine Predator
Linda Whipple, CSW says
That dish looks so summery and delicious. I'd definitely reach for the Cava over the beer. Thanks for hosting a fun topic this month.
Terri Steffes says
That Mexican shrimp cocktail looks amazing and is something my family would love. I think it would be amazing with Cava. I cannot wait to try it.
Robin says
Okay so...Cava with croissa ts, eggs and shrimp cocktail! Sounds like brunch to me! Yum. I am so craving shrimp cocktails now.
MARTIN D REDMOND says
Thanks for hosting this wonderful topic Deanna, and inspiring me to revisit Spanish sparkling wine. I love the Coctel de Cameron pairing. I'm going to have to try that sooner rather than later! Cheers (and my invitation stands)!
Wendy Klik says
My daughter is having a Fiesta next weekend. I think I will bring this Mexican Shrimp Cocktail. Thanks.
Andrea Lemieux says
What a wonderful, summery pairing! Thank you for hosting such a fun topic, exploring bubbles and pairing options for them is always such a delight.