The Santa Monica Brut Cava produced from vineyards in the Penedes DO of the Catalonia region (near Barcelona) in Spain. This Sparkling wine uses the traditional Cava grapes, Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel.lo. Cava is produced with the same methods as used in Champagne, which is where the grape juice is fermented twice. The first time fermentation occurs just like any other wine, Sparkling or still. For the 2nd fermentation, the fermented juice is poured into each bottle, along with a measured amount of yeast and sugar. The juice ferments a second time, but since the bottle is sealed the gasses released during the 2nd fermentation are trapped in the bottle and are incorporated into the wine as bubbles. Champagne uses different grapes, mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and is an iconic taste of France. Cava using the same production methods, but different grapes can be said to be an iconic taste of Spain and Barcelona. The alcohol content is 12%.
The color is pale gold with loads of energetic bubbles. The nose is green apples, yeasty bread, lemons and limes with a lightly floral edge. This is a dry, tart and crisp Sparkling wine. It tastes of ripe apple, a little apple core, lemon, brioche, lime and a late splash of melon. This Bubbly exhibits sleek acidity and has a long, mostly lemon/lime, finish.
The Santa Monica Brut Cava is a wonderful, well-priced (around ten bucks), delicious Bubbly. Champagne has become synonymous with Sparkling wine, to the point where many people use the terms interchangeably. The Sparkling wines of Champagne are awesome, but they are by no means they only excellent Sparkling wines available. Spanish Cava are some of the best bargains in Sparkling wine, it is not difficult to find a tasty Cava that sells for 1/3 to 1/4 the price of entry level Champagne. Delicious Bubbly priced like an everyday wine is a beautiful thing.
