Swallow - every time!!!! (Freixenet wines)

Member Name: spangle359

Product:	Freixenet wines
Date:	25/08/06 (913 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fresh, clean tasting wines, reasonably priced and very drinkable

Disadvantages: bit too easy to drink

I always believe in researching a product properly before writing a review and in order to do this one justice, I had to open a few bottles... I had intended writing this a week ago but spent a little more time than was probably necessary on the tasting process….all in the name of research.

Ever since I first tasted champagne I have loved it but, not being able to afford it very often I set about finding a substitute…so much testing had to be done. Several years ago I found Freixenet wines and haven’t bought another sparkling wine ever since.

Freixenet (pronounced fresh-eh-net – no silent “t” ) is the leading brand of sparkling wine in Spain, it is everywhere. It is also very inexpensive here with prices ranging from €2.50per bottle. Do not be put off by the price though because it is a very good quality product.

The branding of the wines is very distinctive with black and gold being predominantly used on the labelling and bottles. There is a large range available and something to suit every pocket.

The vineyard has been in operation since 1889 and under the ownership of the Ferrer family since that time. It is situated south west of Barcelona in the Catalonia region of Spain which is widely recognised as having an excellent climate for grape production. Freixenet is the world’s largest producer of traditional CAVA method of wine production with its products selling in over 140 countries worldwide. Although the company does produce other wines, (see below) it is best known for its CAVA wines.

CAVA is the Spanish equivalent of the Champagne Method. Losely speaking this means that the wine is produced using a combination of grapes and then stored in dark underground cellars which allows the flavour and sparkle to develop.

In the case of Freixenet, the grapes used are Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel. Add to that some citrus fruits, peel and green apple and you end up with a delightfully fruity, tangy, refreshing wine.

I am certainly no wine expert, I base my knowledge on my palate. If I like a wine then I will buy it again. Spanish wines are slightly different in their pricing too. Buying a really expensive Spanish wine does not necessarily mean that it is a better wine, some of the cheapest wines are the best. More expensive wines generally come from regions that have a limited supply of grapes due to a short growing season or from very small vinyards, or from quite inaccessible vinyards where it costs a lot to gather the grapes (in terms of time spent doing so). Buying a wine in Spain is not therefore price led, it is production led and as far as Freixenet is concerned, they have a long growing season, very well organised vineyards and a long established production system. This enables them to charge a reasonable price for a very palatable range of wines. The company has deliberately kept the range very small and manageable and perhaps this has had a large contribution towards its overall success.

I am aware that we do have a much larger selection of Freixenet here in Spain but I used to be able to find some of the range of wines in the UK. I have selected some of the most popular ones and tried to describe them in layman’s terms, because Jilly Goolden I am not, and I do actually like to swallow the wine and not spit it out, then drink some more, just to make sure that I like it:)

The most popular CAVA in the range is CORDON NEGRO,
recognised by its black bottle with a black and golden label. It is very distinctive and has a nice quality feel…(the bottle that is, I can’t pretend that I can describe wine like that). Popping open a bottle of sparkling wine is always fun after you have undone the wire security seal. (If you don’t wish the cork to pop and fly across the room with half the contents of the bottle quickly following, then always remember to turn the bottle and not the cork when opening). The wine is a pale golden colour and is, not surprising, sparkling. Freixenet wines tend to keep their fizz and don’t go flat…from my experience that is, but then maybe I don’t give them enough time to go flat.hmmm, the wine does retain the sparkle in the bottle though and can be poured quite a while after opening without too much loss of bubbles. Cordon Negro Brut is quite a dry wine but with a very fresh fruity flavour, apples and citrussy flavours all blend into one and give a nice clean taste. (Hmmm, all of a sudden she thinks she is a wine critic) Mini bottles (25cl) are also available
CORDON NEGRO VINTAGE BRUT is very similar to the above but with a deeper citrus flavour. It is also an older wine and is a bit drier. It is only produced on certain years where the combination of grape flavours is right for the production of this wine.
CORDON NEGRO MEDIUM DRY is again quite similar in flavour although is much sweeter and has more of an apple taste…still very pleasant and a nice summer wine.

Carta Nevada
No. 1 brand in Spain, clear opaque bottle with a black and golden label. lighter and fruitier tasting than negro. Also available in Brut and medium dry. Great and cheap for making punches and champagne cocktails. This is the cheapest of the range here and can be picked up for €2.50 a bottle…less if you buy in bulk. You can also find little mini-bottles (25cl) which are great for picnics.

Freixenet Cuvee DS
This is the top of the range and is certainly more like a champagne than a sparkling wine. It tastes of fruit and nuts with a bit of citrus thrown in. I love this wine and at around €12 a bottle, it still won’t break the bank.

Freixenet also make some delicious wines other than the sparkling variety and these are very popular here. I remember being able to buy one or two in the UK but perhaps those are gaining popularity now. These include a Cabernet, Shiraz and Tempranillo and a Chardonnay. All taste delicious and are affordable, ranging from €3 up to €10.

From what I remember from buying these wines in the UK, the sparkling wines could be found for around £6-7 up to around £18 for the Cuvee DS. The non-sparkling ones coming ranging between £5-£15. You can also find various deals such as bulk discounts and buy one, get another half price, especially around Christmas. Black bottle Cavas make a lovely gift and they do produce special bottles and packs for Christmas etc.

I would thoroughly recommend Freixenet as a very drinkable wine. I have yet to taste a bad bottle. I am no expert but I have tasted a lot of bad, or too sweet, Cava in my quest for a palatable sparkling wine and I have to say that Freixenet has won hands down every time.

More information can be found at:
http://www.freixenet.com

If you have something to celebrate and can’t afford to spend on champagne, or if you just want a nice tasting sparkling wine then I would go for Freixenet. Hmmm, methinks I should have another glass to celebrate finishing this review:) if I read this in the morning and it makes no sense at all, I will edit it:)

Thanks for reading, Caroline

Summary: Pleasant tasting wines - live the high life on a budget!!