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HomeEuropean WinesTapas with Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava #WorldWineTravel

Tapas with Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava #WorldWineTravel

 


For our February #WorldWineTravel event, Susannah Gold of Avvinare has invited us to explore Catalunya – Emporda, Alella, Pla de Bages, Penedès, Conca de Barbera, Priorat, Montsant and More. You can view her invitation here.

As you can tell from the event title, there is a lot going on with wine in Catalunya!

Image from https://cava.wine.com

D.O. Penedès and Cava

Penedès is in northeastern Spain in Catalunya. Within the D.O. Penedès lies the D.O. Cava. Cava is one of those interesting regions that is actually larger than the demarcated D.O. It’s like the Tardis. While it originated in San Sadurní de Noya in Catalunya, Cava can be made outside the D.O. and still be called Cava. Aragon, Navarra, Rioja, Pais Vasco, Valencia, and Extremadura have specific demarcated areas which qualify for the D.O.

In a way it’s appropriate that Cava can be made outside the D.O. Unlike a lot of places of origin, the Cava name does not come from a specific place. It comes from the Spanish word cava which were the stone cellars in which the wine aged. Josep Raventós introduced this style of wine to Spain in the 1870s. He married into the Cordorníu family, whose brand still dominates Cava production today. Upon a return from France he said: “Hey, I learned this really cool way to make sparkling wine, we should give it a try.” Quite probably I’m paraphrasing a bit. Despite any historical liberties I may have taken there, Cava was and continues to be made in the traditional “Champagne” method.

Cava Production Regulations

While Cava can be made in a variety of locations across Spain, the production rules remain the same everything. For examples, wines must age on the lees for a minimum of nine months and reach a final alcohol level of no less than 10% and no more than 13%.

Changes approved in 2019 to the D.O. have created stricter production regulations. For example:

  • Minimum time in cask for Reserva wine will increase from 15 to 18 months
  • Maximum yield will be lowered from 12 to 10 metric tons per hectare (5.35 to 4.46 US tons per acre)
  • All bottlings will be vintage or multi vintage dated
  • All Cava Reservas and Gran Reservas will have to be organically farmed from vines of at least ten years of age

The changes also bring a much greater emphasis on zoning. This contrasts with the old system where the Cava DO can apply to almost all sparkling wine made in Spain.

If you want to learn even more about Cava, I suggest checking out the D.O. Cava website.

Cava Grapes and Wine Styles

The D.O. Cava includes nine approved grapes for making Cava including: Chardonnay, Subirat Parent (Malvasia), Pinot Noir, Trepat, Garnacha, and Monastrell. However, three grapes make up the majority of Cava production. Xarel·lo, Macabeu, and Parellada. In fact, Xarel·lo is the most widely planted variety in the DO Penedès with over 7,000 hectares under vine! As with any classic blend, each of the grapes brings something to the table. Xarel·lo offers a sold acid structure and earthy flavors. Parellada brings aromas of blossom and green apple and Macabeo honeyed, grapefruit notes.

Blanc de blancs Cava is probably the style we all see the most but it is offered also in rosé. Cava also comes in all the sweetness levels from: brut nature right on down to dulce and encompassing extra brut, brut, extra seco, seco, and semi seco.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava

The Segura Viudas Estate, or La Heredad, dates back to the 11th century. However, it would not become a grape-growing and wine producing estate until 800 years later. It began life as a watchtower, then a country house, then a church before settling into its current role. As much as la Heredad respects its past, so too does it respect the future. For that reason, Segura Viudas has a dedication to biodiversity and sustainability in its vineyard practices. For example, the winery uses wood from winter pruning to generate biomass with energy value that equals the annual consumption of heating oil used across the estate. They have also planted cover crops in the vineyards to promote a more balanced ecosystem.

Segura Viudas creates four Cavas but the only one I was able to get in Turkey is the Brut Reserva. While not vintage dated, I can tell you that it’s older than the new (above) regulations so little of what I discussed above applies to this wine! The base wine for this aged sobre lías (on the lees) for three months then another 15 months in the bottle after the second fermentation. 

Medium lemon in the glass with energetic bubbles. My first whiff was full of all those lees ageing! After the yeasty/bready aromas blew off notes of golden apple, tropical and stone fruit, citrus, and almond blossom revealed themselves. On the palate the wine was fresh and gave a very dry impression with medium plus acidity and small, tight, prickly bubbles balancing whatever residual sugar was left. As the mousse receded it left behind flavors of tropical fruit like mango and warm citrus. 

Very enjoyable on its own but I paired it with a small plate of tapas including: salted roasted almonds, Serrano ham, Manchego, goat milk gouda, lemon thyme jam, Chorizo-stuffed dates sautéed in bacon grease, and crispy smashed potatoes topped with garlic tarragon aioli and capers. The only thing the Cava really didn’t like was the dates as the Chorizo totally overwhelmed it. Everything else paired rather well. The Manchego highlighted the tropical fruit and the lemon thyme jam the citrus fruit flavors. The wine really loved the salty foods and cut through the creaminess of the aioli. 

Discover More Catalunya Wine!

Don’t forget to check out what the rest of the #WorldWineTravel group discovered about Calaunya! Join us on Twitter Saturday, February 27 at 11am EST as we discuss our wines and pairings. Just follow the #WorldWineTravel hashtag!

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28 Comments

  • February 26, 2021
    Allison Wallace

    We were definitely on the same wave length for this one! We love Cava and Segura Viudas is a staple in our house. Cheers!

    • February 26, 2021
      admin

      I saw you had it for your post! It was literally the only Cava I could get my hands on here but at least it’s a good one!

  • February 26, 2021
    Wendy Klik

    I’m sure that the Cava was a perfect pairing for Tapas. Sparkling and apps are a match made in Heaven.

    • February 26, 2021
      admin

      I agree! Also I must admit that I’m usually so impatient to break into the sparkling that I haven’t the patience for anything more time consuming than apps!

  • February 26, 2021
    Lynn

    You bring up great points about Cava- larger (Tardis 😉 and the name doesn’t refer to a place. The name Segura Viudas does refer to quality, consistent bubbles, nice choice!

    • February 26, 2021
      admin

      I really enjoyed it. Would love to try their other Cavas some day!

  • February 26, 2021
    Camilla M Mann

    So much good information about Cava. Thanks so much! And now I’m craving Cava and fried chicken…why is that?!?

    • February 27, 2021
      admin

      Because fried chicken and bubbles are THE BEST! I really thought about it but decided I wanted to try to go more traditional/Spain-esque with my tapas.

  • February 27, 2021
    robincgc

    I want to come for Tapas at your house! That sounds amazing ” …lemon thyme jam, Chorizo-stuffed dates sautéed in bacon grease, and crispy smashed potatoes topped with garlic tarragon aioli and capers… Yum! I am so craving Cava now.

    • February 27, 2021
      admin

      The dates *should* have been wrapped in bacon but I didn’t want to thaw a whole pound for a couple dates. The lemon-thyme jam was such a great pairing!

  • February 27, 2021
    Nicole Ruiz Hudson

    It’s been a long time since I’ve had a bottle of Segura Viudas and I didn’t know about their sustainability practices. Thanks for sharing! Of course, your tapas spread looks amazing!

    • February 27, 2021
      admin

      Thank you, Nicole! It’s always nice to hear about wineries that practice at least some level of sustainability, no? Agriculture is so circular but when the circle is broken so is the land…

      • March 4, 2021
        Mel

        Manchego and Segura Viudas seems like the absolute perfect pairing! I also enjoyed your historical paraphrasing;-)

        • March 5, 2021
          admin

          Thank you! Of course we cannot know what was actually said but I like to think the conversation went along those lines!

  • February 28, 2021
    Payal

    Segura Viudas is such a solid Cava. Your tapas spread looks delicious and perfect for the wine!

    • February 28, 2021
      admin

      Thank you, Payal! The Segura Viudas was really delightful and really went well with most of the tapas I chose. I’d do it all over again if I could!

  • February 28, 2021
    Terri Steffes

    I adore tapas and Cava and so would have loved your pairing. Thanks for all the info on Cava and production. That was very interesting.

    • February 28, 2021
      admin

      Thanks, Terri! I knew going in that Cava was a traditional method wines but had no idea the depth of the production and ageing regulations around it. Now I’m surprised more than ever that it continues to be such an inexpensive and undervalued wine!

  • February 28, 2021
    Martin Redmond

    As I mentioned earlier your tapas looks and sound amazing! It’s been years since I’ve had Cava, but as I recall the SV Brut Reserva was quite good!

    • February 28, 2021
      admin

      Thank you, Martin! And it was indeed quite good! Especially at what I imagine the US price point for it would be, I could see this as some solid go-to bubbles.

  • February 28, 2021
    Steve Noel

    One of my Cavas was citrus dominated too, sounds like I need to try this one as well!

    • February 28, 2021
      admin

      I really enjoyed the citrus overtones, especially how it then paired with citrussy food flavors!

  • February 28, 2021
    Linda Whipple, CSW

    You had me at Manchego and lemon thyme jam. From your description, I can taste how well these flavors must have paired with the SV Brut Reserva. I love Cava and I’m always interested in hearing recs. Thanks!

    • March 1, 2021
      admin

      Oh my gosh the lemon thyme jam was THE WINNER as far as successful pairings went for me.

  • March 4, 2021
    David

    I was wondering how you had the Cava without vintage noted based on what I learned earlier in the post…but you quickly explained! good info on Cava, now I’m thirsty for some as I didn’t have any for the February event.

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