Chin Chin! Cava, the Spanish Champagne

Champagne, Prosecco and Cava are often lumped together, but there are differences, including how they’re produced, the grapes they use, and how they taste. Cava is Spain’s contribution to sparkling wine, and most of it comes from right here in Catalunya! It’s usually made with lesser-known grape varietals though it can also be made from Chardonnay or Pinot grapes. Most Cava is sold at at a price similar to Prosecco, but it’s more similar to Champagne in character and production. Champagne requires the longest time to age, about 15 months; Prosecco doesn’t need as much time since it uses very little sugar; and Cava needs about nine months of aging.

The only real “champagne” is made in the Champagne region of France and must be made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, or Chardonnay grapes, or a blend of all three. Prosecco is made in the Veneto region of Italy (the same region that produced my favorite cocktail, the Aperol Sprintz!), from a varietal of grape called Glera. The production method for Prosecco is notably different from Champagne or Cava in that the second fermentation happens in steel tanks rather than in bottles. Prosecco tends to be a little sweeter than Champagne or Cava, and so it’s considered the best choice to use in sparkling cocktails.

The Aperol Spritz has become popular due to its refreshing qualities, bright color, and lower alcohol content. It has a bitter flavor from a combination of aromatic ingredients and at the same time it’s sweeter with less alcohol content than other cocktails. I like an Aperol Spritz in a very large wine glass with lots of ice on a hot day! Or any day!

Since I joined the expat group here on the Costa Brava, I’ve learned about a lot of places of interest around me and some great restaurants. My list of places to take visitors has now grown from Cadaqués, Salvador Dalí’s house in Port Lligat, Cap de Creus Natural Park, the lighthouse in Llafranç, the Dalí museum in Figueres, the Castle overlooking Begur, and the beaches of Begur (including the sex beach in Calella — so-called by me because one day in January when I thought I was the only person for miles around, I came upon two people on this beach putting their pants on!), to include the wildlife sanctuary in the marshlands, the Botanical gardens (photo below), a cider house in the middle of an apple orchard, and several nearby medieval villages like Pals, Peretallada, and Besalu. I really didn’t want to join a group of elderly English speakers, but they have shown me a lot!

Late-breaking news…I found my white pants! Because I don’t have a dryer, I dry my clothes near the radiator in winter and on a rack on the balcony when there is sun. There was very little wind last weekend, so I hung my white pants over the wide edge of the balcony. Later, after I brought in my other clothes, I realized my pants were missing. They weren’t on the ground or in the bushes or on the terrace below me. I kept looking for days, and today I wandered all the way down toward the water and I saw them. I thought I saw them, it was something white. I had to go get my binoculars to make sure. Yep. But the hill was too steep and rocky for someone of my age and agility to climb. So, I gave my neighbor my mop to use to fish the pants out of the brambles on the other side of the fence which separates our complex from the sea. He thinks my life is just a series of mishaps (that he is often brought into to help solve). Imagine!

This weekend is another weird holiday. They call it “Second Easter”! I think in other parts of the world it’s called the Pentecost, which, according to Wikipedia, is a Christian holiday which takes place on the 50th day after Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Any excuse…