Wine Ratings & Reviews

88 points - Elyssia Gran Cuvee
"...baked apple and other familiar, semirich aromas grace the nose on this more elevated Cava. In the mouth, there's weight and integrity along with a flavor profile that hints at vinegar but settles on cidery apple and kumquat. Nicely done.."
- Wine Enthusiast Magazine, June 1, 2010

Elyssia Gran Cuvee recommended with Hawaiian poke tuna
- Wine Enthusiast, June 2010 Download Flyer

Carta Nevada Semi recommended in a feature article on sparkling wine at the dinner table!
- Wine Enthusiast, June 2010 Download flyer

Recommended
"light bodied, just off-dry, big bubbles, red raspberry flavors"
- Fred Tasker, Miami Herald, May 20, 2010 Download PDF

Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut featured in Baltimore Sun
"...this wine was spot-on and a good value. It's a deep pink color - very attractive - and its feel on the palate is crisp and clean. There are appealing mineral and cherry flavors, with a lingering finish. You won't mistake it for Champagne rose, but it comes in at about one-third the price, so that can be forgiven."
- Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun, April 7, 2010

Cordon Negro featured on Slashfood.com
"Pour a glass of this Spanish sparkling when guests arrive, just in case you're still prepping the dinner. The tropical notes and dry, firm finish will appease them until your feast is ready. Pairing: any appetizers or starters."
- Slashfood.com, March 31, 2010 Download PDF

Cordon Rosado featured in Serious Eats Blog
"...several of our tasters also enjoyed the tart and lively Freixenet Cordon Rosado Brut cava, which has black currant and mineral flavors and a dry finish that reminded us of thyme. It's especially nice with sharp, aged cheese."
- Maggie Hoffman, SeriousEats.com, February 10, 2010

90 points - Elyssia Gran Cuvee
"Pale gold hue with persistent, driving bubbles. Forward lemon drop chalk aromas with a hint of seashore. Ripe flavors of pear and apple brightened by fresh, youthful acidity. Dry, crisp finish with notes of bread dough and ginger."
- The WIne News, Winter 2010 Download PDF

Spumante as a Top Pick in Southern Living
"The secret is to pump up the fun quotient, not get too serious. To make this work, you need slightly sweeter wines"
- Scott Jones, Food Executive Editor, Southern Living, February 2010 Download PDF

Elyssia Gran Cuvee featured in New Jersey Life
"Refreshing and an ideal change from the heavy winter reds. Pour this with seafood, shellfish, and salad for a luscious mouthful of bubbles tinted with citrus and honey." Download PDF

Elyssia Pinot Noir featured in About.com
"This is a lovely sparkling Rosado, brimming with the ripe aromas of raspberry and cherry fruit. On the palate red fruit premiers buffered by bubbles and balanced with optimized acidity. There is plenty of class in this glass and at only $18 a bottle, it would make for a great Valentine’s Day wine find."

Elyssia Pinot Noir Brut featured in Chicago Tribune
"From Spain, this cava is colored a deep rose pink. It has a slightly earthy nose and a cream, volumptuous mouth-feel. Berry notes predominate with a touch of citrus on the finish. Serve with paella, seared scallops, roast chicken."
- Chicago Tribune, January 27, 2010
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Cordon Negro Extra Dry featured on Fox News
"An amazing value at $14, this cava is a rich gold in the glass and goes down far too easy, tasting like honey tinged with just a little bit of peach. The wine isn't very fruity, but it's incredibly approachable with a creamy texture thanks to the gigantic bubbles that rise slowly from the bottom of the glass."
- FoxNews.com, January 5, 2010

Carta Nevada - 86 points, Best Buy
"Yellow apple aromas and flavors get some pick-up from nectarine, and while it’s sweet and a bit candied, that’s the Carta Nevada style. The finish picks up some extra size, leaving a big wash of sweet citrus flavor."
- M.S., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, November 2009
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Carta Nevada Semi Dry - 86 points, Best Buy
"As semi-dry Cavas go, it's hard to lodge a complaint against this one. It has a full bouquet of powdered sugar and white fruits, and the palate is sturdy and shows sweet mango and papaya flavors. Finishes clean and dry, with a spot of spice."
- M.S., Wine Enthusiast Magazine, November 2009
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Cordon Negro Brut featured in Food & Wine's "50 Classics You Must Try"
Freixenet produces millions of cases each year of this ubiquitous, black-bottled sparkling wine. It may not be as complex as Champagne, but it’s a deservedly classic sparkling wine, inarguably tasty (and consistent), with fresh lemon-lime flavors that finish on a lightly sweet note.
- Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine, October 2009
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89 points - Publisher's Pick
"A new non-vintage rosado from Freixenet; dry and dusty notes, similar to Provencal rose, lit up with raspberry freshness. 15% Trepat."
- The Patterson's Tasting Panel, October 2009 Download PDF

Cordon Negro Brut rated a Best Buy
"Sweet baked apple flavors run through this sparkler, along with lime-talc bitterness for balance."
- Wine & Spirits, August 2009
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Cordon Rosado - 86 POINTS
"Deep rust hue; moderate activity. Dusty, floral, cherry scents. Spritzy entry of lively cherry and red berry. Tart and very drying close with dusty cherry and chalky impressions."
- Wine News, December/January 2008-09
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BEST BUYS!
Featured wines: Cordon Negro Brut (87), Cordon Negro Extra Dry Brut (87), Carta Nevada Brut (86), Spumante (86), Carta Nevada Semi Dry (85), Cordon Rosado (86), Brut Nature (88)
- Wine Enthusiast, December 15, 2008
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"There are more good bubblies on shelves than ever. One thing to think of, Cava from Spain. Oh my gosh! That is one of the greatest buys out there right now, generally for under $10. Good ol' Freixenet that we all grew up with...under $10, they're extremely tasty, and they are exactly the kind of bubbly you should keep in your refrigerator at all times to celebrate all sorts of wonderful things, like the fact that you got home safely."
- PBS radio program "Fresh Air with Terry Gross", December 9, 2008

"For sparkling wine that's easy on the palate and the pocketbook, look for Spanish Cava. With prices starting at less than $10 to just above $20, Cava offers bright, clean flavors, perfect for cocktails and as a backdrop to all lighter fare. Freixenet color codes bottles for easy shopping. The black-bottled Cordon Negro Brut is light, dry and vivacious with citrusy complexity. The Carta Nevada Semi-Secco in a white frosted bottle is delicately sweet to tickle the widest range of palates and to complement spicy dishes, such as barbecue sauces and spicy Thai takeout."
- Mary Ross, "Spanish Cava the perfect light wine for summer", Chicago Daily Herald, 7/23/08
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Freixenet recognized as an Established Growth Brand by Beverage Dynamics and Cheers Magazine, March/ April 2008
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The Key to Reserva has won yet another award! Winner of a "Gold Pencil" from the One Show Entertainment Awards.
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