Our Selection for Wine of the Week December 06, 2010
A Spanish Sparkler Torre Oria
Cava Brut Spain
Torre Oria was founded in 1897 by an entrepreneurial family named—as you may have guessed—Oria. Through the years, the winery and its property holdings changed hands several times until it was sold in 1991 to multinational company Natra. Today the winery produces a wide array of still wines as well as six different Cavas. Under the direction of Natra, Torre Oria has become recognized internationally for producing well-priced wines. The Cava Brut is made from a blend of still wines that have been aged for 18 months before undergoing secondary fermentation. The result is a crisp, brunch-style sparkling wine with a medium-fine stream of bubbles and a clean finish. Its aromas and flavors are of lemon and other citrus zest with a hint of green apples, Asian pears and a touch of minerality on the finish. It is the kind of wine you can count on for producing delicious breakfast mimosas or dressing up a casual holiday party at an affordable price. Try it with smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, classic Spanish tapas like spicy meatballs or even pizza. A dry, simple and refreshing sparkler, it would also pair well with holiday cookies including shortbread, biscotti and lemon bars.