The sparkling wine endorsed by cavemen around the world.

Cava as you may know comes from the word for Cave, or cellar (depending on who you ask). It seems most fitting that cavemen would drink these “cave” wines. Cava is a very traditional drink in Spain and is enjoyed for any occasion. Cava can even be found at a newborns baptism, where even the young child is offered a taste (see wikipedia article on Cava). Here in the US, many people reserve sparkling wines or Champagne for special occasions. It’s a tradition that I could not be more against! Sparkling’s can be a lot of fun. They go great with many different types of fare, from hot dogs and chips, to mussels with a white wine garlic sauce. (Image borrowed from thirdwayblog.com)

Personally, I enjoy Brut Cava, which are very dry and often quite refreshing. A good example of a nice Brut Cava is the Avinyo Brut Reserva . In contrast, you may try a nice extra dry Cava such as the Cristalino Brut Cava Extra Dry. This non-vintage Cava can be found for around $8 is a great find. It’s boasts a very nice bright green/gold color, plenty of bubbles and apple, cinnamon and sage. If you can find this anywhere, grab a few bottles and keep them nice and chilled, the quality will definitely surprise you and any cavemen you have over for a glass.

Cava can also be sweet and enjoyed with dessert. I’m a very big fan of ice wines, but I do enjoy a sweet Cava from time to time. The Freixenet - Cava Medium Sweet - Carta Nevada can be found for around $40 and is a nice way to end a meal. The vanilla notes stand out, with hints of almond and some pear.

So the next time you are at the store or plan to have cavemen over for dinner or even just cocktails, head to the Spanish section, look for a nice bottle of Cava (good Cava can be found for under $15) and take the plunge. And remember, you don’t have to wait for a special occasion to take advantage of this Spanish sparkling treat!