Looking for an easy drinking, well priced sparkling wine for Christmas? Here's one that fits the bill ever so nicely, Segura Viudas Brut Vintage Cava, 2003.

Cava is simply Spanish sparkling wine, which according to a spokesman from Vintage Cellars, happens to be the most popular style of bubbles in the whole world, outselling even champagne, to the horror of the French.



It is eminently suited to the Australian summer, with its seam of cashew-like nuttiness and slightly dry finish. Like all cava, it's extremely drinkable and this example has the benefit of six years in the bottle, giving added complexity.

It made it onto the list of Jeni Port's top sparkling wines for this Christmas and deservedly so; this is what she had to say,

"This is the year that Cava, the sparkling wines of Spain, can establish a firm foothold in Australia and it is wines like this, based on Spanish grapes macabeo and parellada, with flavours that are nutty, floral and herbal, that will lead the way."

It's $20 around town, but in a great special, Vintage Cellars have it for $30 for two bottles with a neat padded cooler bag thrown in to sweeten the deal. Available at this price until the 20th of December.

How often do you get to impress your family and friends with a six year old vintage wine of some class that you bought for a snip? It would be perfect with salmon, or just as an aperitif.