Sparkling Pick-of-the-Week

Time for a Tuesday Wine Recommendation:

Segura Viudas, a Spanish sparkling wine (called Cava, meaning "cave") is my favorite "value bubbly." Available at most grocery stores for under $7.00, I prefer it to any local Washington sparkling wine, and DEFINITELY anything in the same price range out of California. It's part of the Freixenet "brand" (but infinitely tastier than the brand's black-bottle namesake).

Pale yellow in color and equally light in flavor it's perfectly dry with a light mineral scent and surprisingly fine, delicate bubbles (also blessedly free of bitter fruity after-bite). I'd call it an "agreeable" sparking wine (my term for party-friendly bubbly great for toasting), yummy flavor without a lot of fanfare.

(Bottom line: when you reach for Cooks or Korbel because it's cheap - THINK AGAIN. For the price, Segura Viudas tops the list).

If you feel like spending a little more, there's a Reserva from the same house that comes in a nifty bottle: