The Charles Shaw “2 Buck Chuck” revolution began at Trader Joe’s and these $1.99 wines certainly haven’t waned in popularity lately. They don’t suck either, especially the red wines. My Mom loves ’em.
So it was with some elation, after settling in, when a local California wine geek friend (thanks Bob!) told me about a $5 Spanish Cava available exclusively at Trader Joe’s. You see, I’m a bit of a bubbly whore and could easily go broke supporting my salacious sparkling wine habit (I write about them a lot). $5 for a bottle of drinkable bubbly is like… like… well, it indescribably rocks my world.
Spanish Cava is what the Spanish call their sparkling wine. Made in the same fashion as French Champagne — méthode Champenoise, a process which creates bubbles in the bottle versus a tank — Cava producers use different grapes than the traditional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, normally indigenous Spanish grapes. The result is earthier and less refined but just as refreshing. More about Cava.
I tasted the black label M. Chevallier Carte Noire Cava with trepidation and suppressed my high hopes, attempting to give it a fair and balanced assessment (which is tough without tasting blind). But I was pretty damn impressed. That was a few months ago. Now, it’s my house pour on a Sunday morning, sometimes mixed with tangerine or orange juice for mimosas, sometimes straight up. It all depends on what kind of eggs we’re having.
But don’t get too excited. It’s not a special occasion bubbly. Nothing complicated or sophisticated. You won’t impress a wine snob with it, although it’d be fun to see how it fares in a blind tasting line up with professionals. Light-bodied, with lemon-lime, green apple, some earthiness and a minerally finish. Pretty frickin’ amazing for the price.
Sweetness: 1 out of 10
Retail price: $5-$6
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Occasion: Recommendation
Food pairing: Anything… Really
Availability: Trader Joe’s
Interesting, will check out the next time I’m there. Thanks 🙂
Hmm I am a bubble-whore too, bubbly wines and bubble butts (another blog=). I wonder if I can get that in Tampa. Prosecco is always in my fridge but its rising popularity is matched by increase in prices. I may have to look for this..heck at this price..its cheaper than fast food!
I finally stopped by my local Trader Joe’s and bought their last bottle. Yeah, it felt like it was waiting for me….all alone. 🙂 I haven’t cracked it open yet, but will report when I do. I’ll taste it straight, first, but I also have some peach nectar in the fridge that I may add to it when I watch The Amazing Race (my absolute FAV TV show) next Sunday evening. 😀 Thanks for the tip, Taylor! ~A~
Amerillis, did you try that bottle of Cava yet?? its been a month and I am waiting with bated breath!!
Just had it for New Years Party and was much better than a very expensive bubbly wine. It tasted unbelievably good.
Glad you liked it! So little money and so much flavor!
I’ve been touting this favorite of mine for awhile now. All around great!