Structure

Bodylight
Tanninlow
Aciditymedium
Sweetnessoff dry
Finishmedium
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 0 to 3 years from disgorgement.
disgorgement0 yrs3 yrs8 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Light-bodiedLow tanninMedium acidityOff DryMedium finish

Aroma: pear, blackcurrant leaf, honeydew melon, quince

Palate: creamy peach, custard, appetising acidity, long finish

Indigenous-trio Cava in the Semi-Seco style (37 grams per litre residual sugar), the brand's original launch back to 1941. Ripe pear, melon and quince aromatics with a creamy mousse; the right Cava for spicy food and lighter desserts.

What it pairs with

  • Crema catalana Find crema catalana on TableJourney →
    Semi-Seco residual sweetness echoes the caramelised sugar crust; cream-and-egg base finds an echo in the wine's custard register.
  • Spicy chorizo tapas Find spicy chorizo tapas on TableJourney →
    A touch of sugar balances spicy paprika sausage; bubbles refresh the palate between bites.
  • Pad Thai
    Off-dry Cava is a textbook match for sweet-savoury Southeast Asian noodles with fish sauce and tamarind.
  • Fresh fruit salad
    Light melon and pear aromatics layer with summer fruit; off-dry finish keeps the pairing fresh, not flat.

History

Freixenet's founding sparkling cuvee, launched in 1941 under Pedro Ferrer's son Joan Ferrer. Carta Nevada (Snow Card) takes its name from the white-and-gold label and the snowfall imagery that recurs in Freixenet's marketing. Predates Cordon Negro by 33 years.

  1. 1941: Carta Nevada launched as Freixenet's first signature Cava
  2. 1974: Cordon Negro launched alongside Carta Nevada, expanding the brand's range

Facts

Producer
Freixenet · visiting guide
Grapes
Macabeo (33%), Xarel-lo (33%), Parellada (33%)
Classification
DO Cava
Oak
Stainless steel; minimum 15 months on lees in bottle
ABV
12.0%
Price
EUR 7 to 12 at retail
Drinking window
0-3 from disgorgement
First vintage
1941
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Carta Nevada Semi-Seco

What does Carta Nevada Semi-Seco taste like?

Pear, blackcurrant leaf, honeydew melon and quince on the nose; creamy peach, custard, appetising acidity and a long finish on the palate. Light-bodied, off-dry with a creamy mousse.

When should I drink Carta Nevada?

Drink within 0 to 3 years of disgorgement. Serve well chilled at 6 to 8 degrees Celsius; the Semi-Seco style is built for lighter desserts and spicy food, not for cellaring.

What grapes are in Carta Nevada?

Equal thirds of the three indigenous Cava varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. The wine is Freixenet's original 1941 launch cuvee.

What food pairs with Carta Nevada?

Crema catalana and lighter desserts use the residual sugar; spicy chorizo tapas and Pad Thai work because the off-dry finish balances spice.

Tags

drink young light body macabeo medium acid mood festive mood fruity occasion aperitivo occasion celebration occasion weeknight off dry old world pairs with aperitif pairs with asian cuisine pairs with creme brulee pairs with fruit desserts pairs with spicy food parellada price everyday sparkling traditional value pick vegan xarel lo

Taste it where it is made: tours and tastings in Penedes

See all 22 bookable experiences in Penedes

← Back to wines in Penedes