For those of you just tuning in, last week, we asked you to participate in a Cava Wine Quiz! 13 questions were posed to those brave enough to press “T” for true and “F” for false. Tough, we know, but we enticed you into participating by offering a Free Catavino T-shirt. Did I mention, FREE? Thick and warm, it’s the perfect t-shirt to to drink cava in, re-gift to a friend, use as a wine glass cleaner…the possibilities are truly endless.

Today, Catavino promised to announce the grand winner of our Official Cava Wine Quiz, but strangely enough, we’ve drawn a tie. Of the handful of people who casted their votes, at least two answered 10 of the 13 questions accurately - keeping in mind that 2 of the 13 questions could have either been answered either True or False. Therefore, Catavino has decided to create the final and ultimate round of our Cava Quiz. We’re calling it: The Ultimate Cava Question!

Guess what? Anyone can participate! Even if you didn’t participate in the last quiz, you can now enter in this one. And to ensure a single, solitary winner, we’ve fashioned the game based on a number, similar to counting jellybeans in a jar! Even though I was always off by a couple thousand colorful beans, you can use your power of logic, intuition, and, well…Internet searching skills to find the right answer. Whoever gets closest to the correct answer, wins! Come on…give it a try! Put your answer in the comment section below!

The Ultimate Cava Question: In 2006, how many bottles of Cava were exported to the USA?

Bonus Points: In which month is 50% of all Cava sold?

And for those of you interested in the answer to our last …

Tasting both Old and New Spanish Wines from Catalonia
In the Dining and Wine Edition of the New York Times, we found a great article about a Spanish wine tasting in New York on wines from our home-region of Catalunya. Eric Asimov writes of his recent experience tasting 23 bottles of red wine from DO Montsant with Florence Fabricant, Ron Miller - the general manager of a Spanish restaurant in Manhattan called Solera, and Rafael Mateo - owner of a gourmet wine and tapas bar opening this November in Manhattan called Pata Negra (translating to “black footed pig which makes the famous Iberico ham). Overall, it appears that Eric was extremely impressed with the wines, not only for their QVP, but also for their ability to enjoyed young - providing character without being ostentatious. It is no secret that we wholeheartedly agree with Eric, finding wines of Montsant not only of high quality, but of unique character as well. Beyond that, we are also excited to see regions other than Priorat and Rioja getting some extra attention on the opposite side of the big pond. If you’ve stumbled across some Montsant wines as of recent that you’ve enjoyed, please let us know.

2005 Miguel Torres S.A. Catalunya Nerola - Spain, Catalunya (12/7/2006)Xarel.lo/Grenacha BlancaFloral nose with pear and light peach notes. Nice medium acidity in the mouth with a crisp focus. Lightly creamy and fully dry the palate mimics the nose with fwhite flowers, peach and pear. Really a fun wine to drink with a finish that lingers.

2004 Miguel Torres S.A. Catalunya Nerola - Spain, Catalunya (12/7/2006)Dark color to it, while the nose shows a pleasant earthiness, with minerals clove, coffee and anise notes.In the mouth it is well structured with nice red fruit, very focused and mild tannins. The spiciness is nice as it rounds out the palates strong flavors.