The Great Cava Pursuit
A Morning of Sparkling Insight, Elegant Sips & the Dream of Spain
Nestled beside the Oxford Exchange on Tampa’s buzzing W. Kennedy Boulevard, Mise en Place set the perfect scene for a sensory escape. The space—elegant, intimate, and curated—was still upon arrival, yet pulsed with potential. It felt like the calm before a celebration, a hush before the first cork pops.
I had the pleasure of attending The Great Cava Pursuit, an immersive seminar and tasting centered entirely on DO Cava, Spain’s iconic sparkling wine. The experience was led by Master Sommelier Christopher Tanghe—an educator with a magnetic presence and the rare ability to fuse depth with approachability. He shared not only textbook knowledge, but personal stories and industry insights that made every detail come alive.
Where It All Began
Cava has its roots in the Penedès wine-growing region, specifically in the municipality of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia, where the first bottles of traditional-method Spanish sparkling wine were crafted. Today, the Denomination of Origin (DO) Cava spans four key geographical zones:
Map of Cava DO
Comtats de Barcelona (includes subzones like Valls d’Anoia-Foix, Serra de Mar, Conca del Gaià, Serra de Prades, and Pla de Ponent)
Valle del Ebro (including Valle del Cierzo)
Viñedos de Almendralejo
Zona de Requena
Front of Mise en Place Tampa Florida
How It's Made
Cava is produced using the Traditional Method—the same technique used in Champagne—which involves a second fermentation in the bottle, aging on the lees to develop complexity and finesse.
The principal grape trio used in Cava production are:
Xarel·lo – the structure and soul of Cava
Macabeo – offers floral and fruity elegance
Parellada – brings brightness and acidity
We also learned key terms used in the sparkling wine world:
Riddling: The gradual tilting and turning of the bottle to collect sediment in the neck.
Disgorgement: The removal of that sediment, typically by freezing the neck of the bottle.
Dosage (Expedition Liqueur): A blend of wine and sugar added post-disgorgement to top off the bottle and balance flavor.
A New Chapter for Cava
Since 2020, DO Cava has undergone a transformation, with new classification tiers that reflect a commitment to quality and origin:
Cava de Guarda – aged a minimum of 9 months; youthful, zesty, and fruit-forward.
Cava de Guarda Superior – must be aged over 18 months and meet stricter standards:
Reserva (18+ months) – fuller, more complex, with aging-driven aromas.
Gran Reserva (30+ months) – expressive, layered, and aromatically intense.
Cava de Paraje Calificado (36+ months) – single-vineyard Cava showcasing unique terroir, complexity, and elegance.
The Tasting
The seminar culminated in an exquisite tasting of eight distinct Cavas, divided into two flights: Each glass reflected a different aspect of the Cava story—from crisp and refreshing expressions bursting with citrus to mature, creamy styles showcasing toast, almond, and honeycomb.
Flight One:
2020 Alta Alella Mirgin Brut Nature
Region: Comtats de Barcelona (Alella)
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Aging: Over 15 months on lees
Style: Brut Nature (no added dosage)
Tasting Notes: Crisp and mineral-driven with bright citrus, green apple, and a saline edge. Bone-dry with a fine mousse and refreshing acidity.
Character: Pure, clean, and terroir-reflective—an elegant introduction to the region’s coastal influence.
2016 Parés Baltà Blanca Cusiné Gran Reserva
Region: Comtats de Barcelona (Penedès)
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir (vinified as a white)
Aging: 80+ months on lees
Style: Gran Reserva Brut Nature
Tasting Notes: Creamy and complex with aromas of toasted almond, ripe pear, white flowers, and brioche. Long and refined finish with excellent structure.
Character: Aged elegance—layered, luxurious, and deeply expressive of extended lees contact.
Codorníu Ars Collecta Blanc de Blancs Reserva
Region: Comtats de Barcelona
Grapes: Chardonnay, Xarel·lo, Parellada
Aging: Minimum 15 months
Style: Reserva Brut
Tasting Notes: Aromatic and fruit-forward with white peach, tropical fruit, and floral hints. Rounded texture balanced by lively bubbles.
Character: Vibrant and approachable—beautifully balanced between freshness and fruit depth.
2021 Vilarnau Delicat Rosé Reserva Brut
Region: Comtats de Barcelona
Grapes: Garnacha (Grenache), Pinot Noir
Aging: Minimum 15 months
Style: Reserva Brut Rosé
Tasting Notes: Bright strawberry, raspberry, and rose petal with a hint of citrus zest. Silky and juicy with fine bubbles and a dry, fruity finish.
Character: Elegant and expressive—playful yet polished, ideal for rosé lovers.
Flight Two:
Flight Two:
2016 Vins El Cep Claror Brut Nature Can Prats
Region: Comtats de Barcelona (Penedès)
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada (Certified Biodynamic)
Aging: Over 60 months on lees
Style: Brut Nature Gran Reserva
Tasting Notes: Complex layers of toasted hazelnut, dried apple, chamomile, and wet stone. A silky texture with fine, persistent bubbles and an earthy, mineral core.
Character: Grounded in tradition with a modern biodynamic touch—elegant, contemplative, and terroir-focused.
2020 Roger Goulart Josep Valls Gran Reserva Extra Brut
Region: Zona de Requena
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Aging: 36+ months on lees
Style: Gran Reserva Extra Brut
Tasting Notes: Notes of golden apple, quince, almond skin, and toasted brioche. A bold, dry expression with structured acidity and a savory finish.
Character: A powerhouse Cava—bold, structured, and unmistakably refined with a whisper of intensity.
2017 Giró del Gorner Brut Nature Gran Reserva
Region: Comtats de Barcelona
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Aging: 48 months on lees
Style: Brut Nature Gran Reserva
Tasting Notes: Aromas of dried citrus peel, marzipan, wild herbs, and stone fruits. Bone dry with a creamy mouthfeel and vibrant acidity.
Character: Gracefully aged—mature and layered, with a refined rustic edge that whispers tradition.
2020 Juve & Camps Reserva de la Familia Gran Reserva
Region: Comtats de Barcelona (Penedès)
Grapes: Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada
Aging: Around 36 months on lees
Style: Gran Reserva Brut Nature
Tasting Notes: Bright citrus, green almond, honeysuckle, and subtle pastry notes. Lively effervescence with a long, zesty finish.
Character: A flagship favorite—clean, classic, and dependable with beautiful harmony and precision.
The Final Challenge
After three hours of guided exploration, we were given just 15 minutes to complete a 50-question multiple-choice exam. The stakes? An all-expenses-paid trip to Spain this November to explore Cava country firsthand.
Whether I win the trip or not, I left The Great Cava Pursuit feeling deeply inspired. This wasn’t just a wine class—it was a portal into history, geography, tradition, and transformation. It reminded me of the power of storytelling through wine, and how each glass can be a window into a place, a people, and a passion.
I’ll never look at Cava the same way again. And every time I pop a cork, I’ll remember this morning—still and quiet at first, but bursting with life, knowledge, and possibility.
Salud 🥂
