Freixenet's Cava Quiver

Freixenet's Cordon Negro, the black bottle bubbly, is ubiquitous.  For twelve dollars, it's also a nice wine.  In addition to the Freixenet line of sparklers and still wines, this Spanish wineglomerate owns many other brands:

Segura Viudas, in particular, is one of Freixenet's brands that offers even more bubblies.  In my opinion, SV's Brut Reserva is a better value than Cordon Negro.  Segura Viudas also offers Aria Brut Nature.  It's priced around ten dollars.  Aria is still very much a Cava - yet it seems to be slightly more nuanced than the typical Cava.

The Skinny
Segura Viudas Aria Brut Nature, NV ($10)

• From Catalonia, Spain
• Straw yellow, hints of green, and quick-rising bubble-beads
• Citrus scents coupled with peach and green apple.  Very little yeasty/biscuity quality
• Light-bodied with aggressive acidity.  Medium length finish

*** (3 stars out of 5)

Not comparable in complexity to Champagne.  Yet Cava is a nice, affordable bubbly that is nearly always reliably good.