Segura Viudas Vintagecava Brut

Segura Viudas Vintagecava Brut is a dry sparkling wine, and the Brut designation points to very little residual sugar. The name signals a vintage-dated cava style, which means the grapes come from a single harvest. The listing doesn't state the year, so check the label. Cava is traditionally made by secondary fermentation in the bottle, usually from Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada. Wines in this style typically show crisp green apple, lemon peel and white pear, with a faint toasty or almond note from time on the lees. Expect light to medium body, high acidity, no tannin and little or no oak influence. The bubbles are usually fine and persistent, and the finish is clean, dry and slightly citrusy. That acidity and dryness make it a good match for salty, fried and briny foods. Try it with fried calamari, jamón, Manchego, marcona almonds, oysters or shrimp. It also works with tortilla española, tempura and soft-rind cheeses, where the bubbles cut through richness. It suits brunch dishes such as eggs with smoked salmon. It also works as the base for a mimosa or a Kir Royale, though a vintage bottle is better served on its own. Serve it well chilled, around 40 to 45°F, which keeps the mousse lively and the acidity fresh. Don't decant it, because that would flatten the bubbles. A tulip-shaped flute or a small white wine glass is better than a wide coupe. It concentrates the aromas and holds the fizz longer. To open it, hold the cork while twisting the bottle and let the pressure ease out gently. Treat this as a drink-now bottle. Brut cava is built around freshness, and styles like this are generally best within a few years of release. A vintage designation can add a little extra depth, but there's no reason to cellar it for long.