The Sparkle of Life

Cava, Spain’s main sparkling wine, is one of the world’s greatest values. But its success made it more difficult for more ambitious sparklings to get recognition, igniting protests from quality-driven wineries. As an answer, Cava created the Paraje Calificado category to designate Cavas from the best vineyards and has started a much-needed regional differentiation. Despite that, some of the best wineries left the Cava appellation to create Corpinnat, an association with stricter rules. At the same time, other wine regions, from Rioja to Rías Baixas to Rueda, have recognized the production of their own sparkling wines within their own appellations. This tasting will showcase some of the most ambitious sparkling wines produced in Spain, and blind taste them along with outstanding examples from Champagne, California, and other wine areas.