Price: $14

Producer: Freixenet

Origin: Catalonia, Spain

Type of wine: Dry white sparkling wine made from a blend of grapes

Try it with: A good hors d’oeuvre wine, cheese & crackers, cream-based soups - very versatile

Date Reviewed: Feb. 2004

The competition for value-priced bubbly is fierce – especially in Spain. Freixenet Cordon Negro is perhaps the most well known Spanish Cava. It is a sparkler of reliable quality. Cordon Negro is a light gold color with small, slow moving bubbles. It has pleasant scents of tart apple and pear. For the persistent nose, pineapple scents hover in the background. This is a dry, light-bodied Cava that has balanced crispness and mellow fruit flavors. It’s versatile with many foods. Almost always a safe bet to bring to a party.