Marques de los Ríos Cava Brut with Fish and Chips
A Proper Friday Night Pairing Fish and chips night called for something refreshing and after enjoying the red from Marques de los Ríos previously, I spotted their Cava in Morrisons for £8.50 and thought it was worth a go. Sometimes these supermarket sparkling wines can be a bit one dimensional, but this one immediately showed…
A Proper Friday Night Pairing
Fish and chips night called for something refreshing and after enjoying the red from Marques de los Ríos previously, I spotted their Cava in Morrisons for £8.50 and thought it was worth a go.
Sometimes these supermarket sparkling wines can be a bit one dimensional, but this one immediately showed a bit more character than I was expecting.
In the Glass
Straight away on the nose I was getting plenty of citrus and minerality, but underneath that there was a lovely biscuit and brioche note which added some depth. It smelled fresh but not simple.
Once in the glass it was all about freshness. The citrus notes were clean and lively, and there was enough of that yeasty character in the background to keep things interesting.
The Fish and Chips Test
This is where the wine really came alive.
With food, the profile changed completely. Green apple and lime became the stars of the show, cutting through the batter beautifully and refreshing the palate after every bite. There was also a slight bitterness on the finish, something that reminded me of orange pith, which worked surprisingly well with the richness of the meal.
The brioche notes I’d picked up initially stepped into the background and allowed the freshness to do the heavy lifting.
A Surprising Little Moment
What really caught me off guard was something I wasn’t expecting from an £8.50 bottle.
Every now and then, right at the end of the finish, I was getting a fleeting savoury note that reminded me of the feeling I get from higher-end reds. Not the same flavours, obviously, but that extra second or two where something interesting lingers and evolves after you’ve swallowed.
It was only brief, but it gave the wine a sense of depth that punched well above its price point.
Final Thoughts
This isn’t trying to be Champagne, nor should it be. What it does offer is fantastic value and a brilliant partner for fish and chips.
The combination of citrus freshness, subtle brioche notes and that slightly bitter orange pith finish made for a thoroughly enjoyable pairing. At £8.50, this is exactly the sort of bottle that reminds me wine doesn’t always have to be expensive to be memorable.
Sometimes a supermarket find and a takeaway tea can be just as satisfying as opening something three times the price.
Score: 88/100
Price Paid: £8.50
Would I Buy Again? Absolutely.
Through the Terroir Verdict
Marqués de los Ríos Cava Brut NV
Region: Spain
Grape: Macabeo, Xarel·lo & Parellada
Price: £8.50
Tasting Notes
On the Nose: Mineral and citrus driven with lemon and lime leading the way, backed by lovely brioche and biscuit notes.
On the Palate: Fresh and lively. With food, green apple and lime really come to the fore, bringing plenty of energy and cleansing acidity.
Finish: A slightly bitter orange pith note lingers nicely. Every now and then there’s a fleeting savoury note that gives a sense of depth well beyond the price point.
Verdict
A cracking value Cava that shows exactly why sparkling wine and fish and chips are such a brilliant combination. The citrus freshness cuts through the richness beautifully, while the biscuit and orange pith notes add just enough complexity to keep things interesting. I even found myself getting the odd flash of that savoury, lingering quality I associate with more serious wines.
For £8.50, this punches comfortably above its weight and is one I’d happily pick up again.
Score: 88/100
Where to buy:
Bought from Morrisons