Some of the best parts of this time of year are the number of days we have to celebrate! From Thanksgiving Day, (for some-Black Friday!), work parties, family gatherings, Christmas dinner, and of course New Year's Eve, there is always an excuse to pop open a bottle of bubbly. With that in mind, I pulled one of my favorites, the Mont Marcal Cava Brut Reserva.

Since I'm writing about Cava, it may be helpful to cover a few basics. Cava is the name given to sparkling wine from Spain, most of which is produced in a designated area in and around Penedes, about an hour and a half from Barcelona.  Most Cavas use indigenous grapes including macabeu, parellada and xarel·lo.  They have to follow the "traditional method" of sparkling production in order to label a wine as a Cava. And finally, Cava is just good!

Now today's Cava is from Mont Marcal, a small family owned property in Penedes.  In 1975 Manuel Sanchez purchased this 100 acre property that was the site of a 17th century convent. In addition to the varietals listed above, he also grows a small amount of Cabernet, Merlot, and Chardonnay. Within the past 5 years, he has turned over the winemaking and operations to his daughter, Blanca, who is continuing his legacy of delicious, affordable Cavas.

The Mont Marcal Brut Reserva is bottle with a cork and cage, like a Champagne.  In the glass you'll notice a pale green color, accompanied by tons of tiny bubbles.  This is a very aromatic Cava with granny smith green apples, pears, and a hint of minerality on the nose. On the palate, this wine is fresh and lively, with lots of stone fruits, hints of minerals, and lively acidity. It is crisp and clean on the finish, making you want to try it again!

While often relegated to toasts and cocktail parties, sparkling wines can certainly hold their own with dinner. The Mont Marcal would pair well with seared scallops, mild flavored fish, and dishes with spice. While this is very fresh and lively, it is not a sweet wine, which would be more limiting with food pairings.  Feel free to think outside the box as well, and let me know what dishes you had and enjoyed with the Mont Marcal Brut Cava.

Price: $$

Available retail and in restaurants

Distributed by Quality Wine & Spirits

For more information, please visit classicalwines.com

Mont Marcal Cava is represented by B&L Brands

 Pricing Guide: $      Under $15

                        $$   $15-$25

                        $$$ Over $25