Boston.com THIS STORY HAS BEEN FORMATTED FOR EASY PRINTING
Cava producer and professor of enology Jaume Gramona, who often has a glass with his breakfast, says, ‘‘There’s a direct link between cava and the hearts of Catalonians.’’
Cava producer and professor of enology Jaume Gramona, who often has a glass with his breakfast, says, ‘‘There’s a direct link between cava and the hearts of Catalonians.’’ (Joe Ray for The Boston Globe)
 SPAIN: ¡Bravo cava!  SPAIN: If you go: Barcelona, Spain

Cava picks

January 1, 2006

Here is a list of Quim Sánchez's favorite cavas and what Sánchez, owner of a popular tapas bar in Barcelona, has to say about them. Look for many of these brands here and abroad.

Gramona: ''Excellent cava. These guys are tops in the quality-to-price ratio."

Augusti Torelló: ''A cava of great quality with a very refined taste. Much of their production comes from old vines. There's a lot of work that goes into it."

Recaredo: ''All the grapes come from their property," not something every producer can boast.

Privat: ''The grapes are chardonnay and much of their aging is done in wood casks," which is not the norm. ''They're very original and their products span quite a gamut."

Can Feixes: ''Run by a pair of brothers, this place is constantly evolving. It's a small producer that plants all of their own grapes."

JOE RAY  

© Copyright The New York Times Company