When you hear the name “Freixenet” it may not immediately ring a bell, but it probably should. Freixenet is, in fact, the most widely sold brand name cava in all the world. If you’re a fan of bubbles, the chances are high that you’ve spotted one of Freixenet’s signature black bottles of Cordon Negro on a grocery store shelf around the holidays (probably on New Year’s Eve), and picked one up for a party (even if you couldn’t pronounce the name).

To be perfectly honest, we sort of stumbled over to Freixenet by complete accident during our most recent trip to Barcelona. I’m glad fate steered us in this direction though, because my wife and I both have a strong sentimental tie to this winery.

Years ago, when Jen and I were planning our wedding as young twenty somethings, we were in severe need of a champagne that would both accommodate our modest budget, and taste decent enough to avoid offending those of our guests with more sophisticated palates. Freixenet fit the bill on both fronts. Jen and I both have fond, vivid memories of toasting our nuptials with a glass of Freixenet cava in hand.

Now, I know what those of you who have sampled Freixenet’s popular Cordon Negro, with its low price point and passable, but unremarkable flavor, may be thinking: “Why am I reading about a trip to Spain to go track down a $10 bottle of grocery store sparkling cava?”

The answer to this question is twofold. First, because if you ever find yourself in Barcelona, you’re just a quick train ride away from being able to tour Freixenet, an old world Spanish winery with an extensive history and longstanding family tradition. This an experience worth having, one that no traveling wine lover should pass up. Second, because there is truly a lot more to the Freixenet roster of wines than the single black bottle they’ve become so famous for.

When visiting Barcelona, give yourself a day to see the wine country. From downtown Barcelona in the Plaza Cataluña, grab the same train that takes you to the Torres Winery in Villafranca. It was on this train that Jen and I peered through the window and noticed a huge-mural sign for Freixenet. We instantly knew we had to stop and see the birthplace of the bubbles that we toasted with on our wedding day over two decades ago.

Freixenet has been producing fine wine since 1861, and began to rise to prominence in the 1930’s. Today, the winery offers a large selection of quality wines, a selection far more expansive than the bare bones lineup available in the United States. In fact, we discovered that most of their best cavas aren’t even available in America, so should you visit the winery from the States, be prepared to cart a few home!

When you arrive at Freixenet, you’ll be impressed by the elegance and charm of the well kept grounds. As you prepare for your tour and pay the small $15 fee, you’ll begin to notice that this winery, while rooted in a rich tradition, is actually quite modern. Visiting Freixenet, you’ll be struck by its combination of old-world wine making philosophy and present day business innovation.

The tour begins with a film that delves into the history of the Freixenet brand, and then you’re ushered off to the cellars. It’s in the cellars that you’ll truly begin to get a sense for the winery’s character. The tour is a fun and revealing glimpse into how the world’s big champagne houses are run. If you’ve never been to the Champagne region in France, this should serve as a good primer on all of the work that goes into making those bubbles bounce gleefully in to your glass.

After the tour comes the tasting. The tasting’s only drawback is that you’re only provided two small glasses, and the rest is coming out of pocket. I recommend asking for half glass pours, and staying near the top of the cavas selection. You’ll find that the wines from the reserve collection are phenomenal, world class even. Jen and I were pleasantly surprised to discover just how much we enjoyed these reserve cavas. When our spontaneous visit to Freixenet began, we didn’t intend to make any purchases, and we wound up leaving the winery with almost a full case of bubbly.

There’s a few bottles in particular I would emphatically recommend picking up from Freixenet. The first is the Reserva Real, a wine first produced in 1987 to commemorate the king of Spain paying a visit to the winery. I’m currently storing two of these beauties in my cellar, only to be uncorked on the most special of occasions. These bottles are aged for 30 months, and are carefully crafted employing an incredibly meticulous, manual process. There is a little sugar added to the bottle as it finishes, and yet the wine maintains an exquisitely dry flavor and aroma, likely owed to the chestnut barrels in which it is aged.

The other bottle I recommend purchasing is the Casa Sala. This brut natural style wine is created in the old-world fashion, in a traditional wine press that’s over 150 years old. Only 20,000 bottles of this wine are produced each year, and I am proud to say I own two of them. This light and refreshing bubbly bears a distinct aroma that recalls a bountiful harvest of berries and freshly picked flowers, all while retaining that perfect dryness one would hope for in this unique blend of cuvée.

If you can swing a third, here’s a bonus recommendation: try the Trepat brut rosé. This wine provides a bright, refreshing burst of sweetness delicately balanced by a notable acidity.

Be forewarned, you may be quite tipsy after working your way through Freixenet’s roster of cavas. Luckily, if you’re taking the return train to Barcelona you can sample as many sparkling wines as you like! Have your fill of delectable reserve cavas, and then head back to town for a quick siesta and some tapas! We can’t wait to schedule our return visit to Frexienet to do just that.