It's that time of year where we sharpen our celebratory and ritualistic selves and get ready for New Year's Eve and the customary drinking of sparkling wine.
The custom of drinking Champagne at midnight on New Year's just kind of came to be. In the 16th Century, the bubbly drink was only consumed by the aristocrats at celebrations and seen more as a high-brow beverage. However, in the 19th Century, the Champagne industry began to make advancements in production. These advancements led to lower production costs, and with that, the commercial price of Champagne was reduced. While prices were lowered, it was not to the point where the average citizen could afford to drink it on a daily basis, but it was priced rightly enough to be the symbol of an auspicious occasion for all, one of those occasions being the marking of the New Year. The Mid 19th Century was really the rise and mark of Champagne being our New Year's drink of choice.
Though we're in the 22nd Century today, the same holds true on the pricing of Champagne. Not everyone is prepared to spend lofty dollars required to procure a bottle of Champagne, and here enter alternatives, such as the Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava!
About Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava
Cava is one sparkling wine that, by Spanish wine law, has to be made in the traditional
method like Champagne. Here, second fermentation happens in bottle, just as it does in Champagne. Notable differences between the two will have to do with a combination of winemaking and aging leading to quality differences. Still, Cava, in its own right, is delicious too and a fantastic alternative for a celebratory bubbly.
Ripe fruit, fine bubbles, and measured acidity make the Segura Viudas Cava a fun sparkling wine for any occasion. First fermentation lasts for three months, and then this wine goes through second fermentation in bottle for an additional 15 months. This brings lovely brioche notes on the nose and palate. The Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava is available at the LCBO for only $15.95!
Grape blend - 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarel·lo, 20% Parellada
Segura Viudas follows responsible farming and winery principles, is certified organic, and holds other biodiversity accreditation.