Freixenet Cava Food Truck in DC from June 23-26

The Freixenet Cava Food Truck is making its way through DC this weekend. What is Freixenet you ask? Freixenet (pronounced fresh-eh-net) is a cava, Spain's sparkling white wine, with a near 100-year history of wine-making in the Méthode Champenoise, the same process used to make champagne. The food truck is on a tour of five east coast cities and is in DC from June 23-26 to show that the "Black Bottle Bubbly" is not just for celebrating, but can also be great paired with a variety foods and for everyday drinking. And what better food to enjoy with Spain's sparkling wine than Tapas of course!

The Freixenet Tastings and Tapas Truck will make stops around the DC area offering cava tastings and tapas nibbles, as well as the opportunity to win prizes. To learn the whereabouts of the truck, you can follow it via Twitter at @FreixenetUSA, on Facebook at facebook.com/freixenetusa or by visiting their website at www.freixenetusa.com/cavatruck. The truck will also be raising money for the Greater Washington Boys & Girls Club by collecting donations throughout the city.

Capital Cooking was invited to a private tasting to launch Freixenet's DC tour. Cava can be a great alternative to the many sparkling wines of the world such as French champagne, American sparkling wine, and Italian Prosecco. And at about $12 a bottle it won’t hurt your wallet either. Though cava might not be considered a drink to accompany a meal, if paired well, it can be a refreshing beverage highlighting a dish's flavor without overwhelming it. Featured food truck dishes presented with the cava included sauteed mushroom sliders, mozzarella and tomato bruschetta, and lamb "lollypops" with yogurt sauce. The Freizenet's dry, crisp and citrusy structure paired especially well with the earthy flavor of the mushrooms and spicy lamb, acting as a great counterbalance to their rich flavors.

Not only was Freixenet cava being served with food but also in cocktail form. A hit of the evening was “Ocean Breeze,” which incorporates grapefruit and cranberry juice:

2oz Cranberry Juice Cocktail

2oz Grapefruit Juice

4oz Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut

Combine all ingredients (all should be chilled prior to making the cocktail) and stir gently. Serve straight or over ice and garnish with a twist of lime.

Capital Cooking has learned that as part of its DC tour, the Freixenet Cava Truck will be at the Safeway Barbeque Battle this Saturday and Sunday (June 25-26), on Pennsylvania Avenue between 9th and 14th Street NW. Putting its own twist on American BBQ, the truck will be serving barbeque-themed tapas along with Freixenet Cava. Learn more about the Barbeque Battle at www.bbqdc.com.

Photos and Story by: Matt Keller