A Sparkling November: Searcys and D.O. Cava at 116 Pall Mall

D.O Cava tasting trio

This November, our in-house partner Searcys in collaboration with D.O. Cava, is embarking on a journey into the world of top Spanish sparkling wines with a specially curated tasting wine list and Cava trio to redefine your wine experience in an iconic setting - the underground Champagne Bar and Carlton Brasserie at 116 Pall Mall.

The Essence of D.O. Cava

D.O. Cava represents a distinguished category of Spanish sparkling wines, celebrated for their exceptional quality. These wines are meticulously crafted using the traditional or Champagne method, where the magic of a second fermentation occurs within the bottle. What sets them apart is their classification into four distinct ageing categories.

  • Cava de Guarda: Aged for a minimum of 9 months, offering a balanced and approachable expression of Cava. These can be identified by a green label on the back of the bottle.

  • Cava de Guarda Reserva: This undergoes a more extended maturation of 18 months and is identified by a silver label on the back of the bottle.

  • Cava Gran Reserva: With at least 30 months of maturation, it boasts greater complexity and depth. This can be easily identified by a gold label on the back of the bottle.

  • Cava de Paraje Calificado: The pinnacle, requiring a minimum of 36 months of ageing. These prestigious wines showcase the epitome of Cava craftsmanship, representing the finest in quality and heritage.

The Cava region climate brings stronger levels of maturity and depth to the wines, perfect for bold flavours. Cava has its own flagship varieties – Macabeu, Xarel·lo, and Parellada – with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir also permitted. For Cava rosado (rosé), Garnacha, Pinot Noir, and Mataró (Mourvèdre) are commonly used. The wines in our trio this November are:

Blanc de Blancs: Start with Anna de Codorníu Blanc de Blancs Brut, Cava de Guarda, paired with aperitifs and fish starters. This blend of Chardonnay with traditional grape varieties offers a delightful combination of flavours.

Dominio de la Vega: For your star of the show, choose DV Reserva Especial, Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva. A Brut that combines Macabeo and Chardonnay grape with 24 years in the cellar, making it the perfect complement to white meat and rich accompaniments.

Cava Dulce: Complete your meal with Poema Dulce Cava, Catalonia, Spain. Its sugar content and sweet profile make it an ideal choice for Christmas pudding and Stilton cheese.

We invite you to join us in the underground Champagne Bar at 116 Pall Mall to discover the rich diversity and excellence of Spanish sparkling wines. Throughout the month, you can indulge in a delicious D.O. Cava trio for £12, with a specially designed pairing menu created by our expert chefs, perfectly paired with a sommelier-approved selection of exclusive D.O. Cava wines guaranteed to impress.

 

Cara Winters