Rosé cava - gastronomic bubbles for the Danish summer
There's no doubt that the seasons affect our mood - and taste: when the weather is nice, we gravitate towards bright, lively wines and when the temperature on the terrace rises, rosé Cava is the ideal companion. In this post, we look at Cava rosado and the gastronomic options that exist to complement the most glamorous and seductive Cava of them all.
How is rosé Cava made?
Before we turn up the sparkling pink bubbles and toast to the bright nights, we should first know that this wine's distinctive color comes from the red grapes used to make it.
The base wine for rosé Cava can consist of red grapes (at least 25% of the blend according to the regulations) and white grapes, although many only use red varieties. The color is obtained thanks to the contact that the skins have with the must (called maceration): the resulting hue can vary from a pale pink to a rhubarb-like one, depending on the final blend, the maceration time and the aging time. The tendency is to use short maceration, especially for cavas with shorter aging times. There are five red grape varieties allowed for the production of rosé Cava: Garnacha Tinta, Subirat Parent, Trepat, Pinot Noir and Monastrell.
Rosé Cava differs from other Cavas by the grape varieties used to make the base wine. This rosé Cava then follows the same production process with all the steps that make up the traditional method.
Pairings with rosé Cava
Rosé Cava is the queen of after-work drinks. It is characterized by its freshness, usually with notes of red fruits, fresh berries, bay leaves and flowers, making it incredibly pleasant and easy to drink.
Rosé Cava is particularly suitable for the “aperitif hour” thanks to its cheerful bubbles, freshness and beautiful, attractive color. In addition, cava calms and balances even the strongest, most complex taste sensations; it is a delicious appetizer that also increases salivation and creates pleasant synergies with smoked fish, shellfish, pickled foods and other classic dishes served as an aperitif. In addition, sparkling wines are extremely refreshing and ideal for evenings with friends.
Rosé Cava is an ideal gastronomic companion.
There are two basic options when choosing a wine for a meal: to match similar flavors or to go for some kind of contrast. Cava, thanks to its excellent acidity and balance, is the ideal companion to food, according to sommelier Ferrán Centelles
"On a gastronomic level, sommeliers use cava in two basic ways; firstly, as an accompaniment to tasting menus, where a range of dishes in different styles are served; secondly, for those dishes that do not go well with still wines, as in the case of dishes with a high salt or vinegar content."
For example, for grilled fatty fish such as mackerel or salmon, a crisp Cava de Guarda Brut Nature rosé is recommended, which helps cleanse the mouth from the oily texture of the fish and creates an aromatic contrast with its intense scent thanks to the fruity notes of the Cava.
Another situation where cava rosada comes into its own is the many barbecues with family and friends, where meat-based dishes are particularly popular. The strong flavor of grilled meats requires a full-bodied, creamy wine. The structure of a Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva or Gran Reserva, aged for more than 18 and 30 months, respectively, makes it the perfect companion to spicy, smoked meat dishes.
Rosé Cava is also a fantastic accompaniment to appetizers and salads, pasta and vegetable-based recipes, fish, shellfish, stews and meat, as well as desserts such as trifle, meringues with berries and whipped cream, etc. The sweetness of these desserts makes them ideal to serve with a Brut rosé Cava, which highlights the delicacy of the dessert and harmonizes with its fruit.
Bubbles with a pink hue
Rosé Cava is unique for several reasons. Firstly, because of its exceptional quality, determined by its origin. Secondly, because of the diversity of categories and different styles or types of rosé Cava available on the market. This wide variety allows us to switch from one Cava to another depending on what we have to eat or how we feel at the time.
It's hard to beat a light, refreshing, and fruity rosé wine in the warmer months. As journalist Ruth Troyano puts it:
"The color is suggestive, and the color of rosé is bright, energetic, and optimistic—it brings good vibes. Ideally, it should be served on sunny days, but it can also brighten up the darkest days. Everyone loves the bubbly version of rosé."
