Cava Brut Nature NV

Fresh, crisp and very easy to love this is proper no-fuss Cava, fine bubbles, citrus, pear and apricot, with a clean floral edge and that crunchy, mouth-watering finish you want from a good Brut Nature. It’s dry without feeling austere, light on its feet but still properly satisfying, and exactly the sort of bottle that works as an aperitif or with salty snacks, seafood and anything vaguely celebratory.

Pago de Tharsys is based in Requena, inland from Valencia, where high-altitude vineyards and a continental climate help keep freshness in the fruit. The estate is small by sparkling-wine standards, and multiple merchant and producer profiles point to a focus on traditional-method Cava with bright fruit, elegance and strong value rather than anything overly flashy.