Prosecco, Champagne or Cava – Hot Summer Days Choice

Those hot sunny days always manage to tempt us outside be it a picnic at the local park or sunbathing on the beach, enjoying a barbecue in the garden or simply taking time out to read a book on the balcony.

I’m sure many will agree that when it’s hot, or boiling, baking, scorching and roasting then a great accompaniment to such days are some cool drinks. So, when the app on our phone shows sunshine for the full day ahead and we can trust the weatherman’s positive report, we are in for enjoying a full day in the warm open air and drinks are a must for many.

Some of the most popular drinks for Summer include:

• Iced Tea / Coffee
• Cola / Lemonade
• Tonic Water / Sparkling Wine
• Beer /Bitter / Shandy
• White Wine
• Cocktails
• Gin & Tonic
• Pimms
• Cocktails

The most common theme with summer drinks is the temperature in that most are chilled or with ice / crushed ice. Many Summer parties I have been part of include an ice bucket full of (usually) crushed ice with bottles of beer / wine / cola with further ice on demand. I have been to some parties that I have seen a bath full of bottled drinks including Champagne for guests to help themselves!

 

Why do you become thirsty in warm/hot weather?

Dehydration: One of the most common reasons you’re probably thirsty is dehydration. Overheating is one of the biggest causes of dehydration. Whether you’ve been rigorously exercising or just resting in the sun at the beach, your body needs water to keep from overheating. source clevelandclinic.org

Another popular choice for those sun filled days is of course wine and definitely those which contains bubbles! Though there are plenty of wonderful regions and styles to choose from, if we have to cut bubbly wines down to three I am sure many will agree with me that we will see Champagne, Prosecco and Cava on a list to choose from. Globally known, loved and enjoyed from three major wine producing countries of France, Italy and Spain.

These three different and very famous names in sparkling wines are each very individual in character. If we look at simply the brut version of each then we get three independent personalities.

Prosecco: (Le Rughe Brut Superiore) “Light fruity flavours with good levels of natural sweetness, medium acidity, smooth/creamy texture showing green fruits (apple, pear, kiwi). So easy to drink and enjoy”

• FRESH
• FRUITY
• LIGHT
• EASY TO DRINK

Champagne: (Royal Riviera Brut) “A great showcase of the typical Champagne characters we all love and enjoy. Pastry, toast, yellow stone fruit, citrus on the nose. A bold and refreshing flavour of citrus, hints of toastiness, honey, croissant, peach and more. Good complexity and high levels of acidity.”

• BOLD
• CITRUS (zesty)
• YELLOW STONE FRUITS
• HIGH ACIDITY

Cava: (Vilarnau Brut) “Green fruits, petroleum, touch of exotic character, white floral on the nose. A great display of complex fruity flavours with decent levels of naturally displayed sweetness and good bold acidity to deliver a mouth-watering and moreish taste sensation.”

• COMPLEX FRUITINESS
• BOLD ACIDITY
• MOUTH-WATERING
• MOREISH

 

The results from the tasting:

Christopher: “For me, I’d opt for the Vilarnau representing Cava. It delivered a wonderful display of fruity flavours that were wonderfully balanced with freshness, acidity and smoothness. Without question a mouth-watering taste sensation, easy to drink (did not appear too heavy on alcohol) and had no real dryness. It quenched my thirst.”

Oliver: “The Champagne Royal Riviera stood out slightly to the rest though all three were a great tasting experience. The Champagne offered so many layers of flavours and richness too.“