Spain's Official Sparkling Wine Perfect for Holiday Celebrations

NEW YORK CITY, NY--(Marketwire - December 3, 2007) - This holiday season, consider celebrating with Cava, the official sparkling wine of Spain. Produced in the classic method of French Champagne, Cava is an equally quaffable, yet a more affordable alternative. Due to its moderate alcohol content and crisp acidity, Cava is a great palate cleanser, making it food-friendly and enjoyable throughout a meal. For these reasons, Cava continues to grow in popularity; each year, more than ten million cases are exported and another eight million-plus are consumed in Spain.

In addition to being an incredibly festive holiday beverage, Cava has potential health benefits. According to the October issue of the Journal of Nutrition, moderate consumption of Cava was shown to reduce the levels of substances in the body known to cause the buildup of arterial plaque, which may lead to arterial disease.

Cava is produced in varying levels of dryness which are: brut nature, brut (extra dry), seco (dry), semiseco (medium) and dulce (sweet). Here are a few varieties, spanning a range of price points, available at major retailers nationwide:

Agustí Torelló Mata

2003 Brut Rosat Trepat -- Strawberry-salmon color. Light, fresh nose. Rich, lovely mouthful of delicious red fruit with hints of orange peel. Very well-integrated acid, yeast, fruit and alcohol. Suggested retail price: $30

Segura Viudas

NV Aria Brut, non-vintage -- Dry, lively refreshment appropriate for any occasion. Fresh pineapple, honey, almonds and straw, with hints of pear. Suggested retail price: $13

Cristalino

Brut Cava Reserva -- Dry, refreshing and easy to love. Yellow gold color and the persistent bubbles provide a festive touch to any occasion. Superb choice for parties and other large gatherings. Suggested retail price: $9

Castillo de Perelada

NV Brut Reserva -- Gold-tinged straw hue. Lightly floral nose of citrus and yeast. Very lively with clean, dry, floral, honeysuckle and lemon flavors. Suggested retail price: $10

Juvé y Camps

2001 Brut Natural Reserva de la Familia -- Deep gold-straw hue. Light peach aromas. Subtle peach-apricot and honeysuckle undertones and a long, clean, dry, palate-refreshing finish. Suggested retail price: $20

Mont-Marcal Cava

2003 Brut Reserva -- Pale gold. Stony, spicy scents of apple, pear, ginger and lemongrass. Expands through the finish, showing a range of bright, tangy citrus notes and good length. Suggested retail price: $16

About Cava

Cava's name is derived from the Catalan word for cellar. Under strict Spanish laws, Cava can only be produced in six wine regions and must be made according to the méthode champenoise. Ninety-nine percent of Cava is produced mainly in the Penedès region in Catalonia, south west of Barcelona. There are a small handful of areas outside Catalonia that also produce Cava.

For more information and additional Cava recommendations, please contact Katie Stringer on behalf of Wines from Spain at 1.866.448.1420 or Katie@lanepr.com.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Katie Stringer katie@lanepr.com 1.866.448.1420