The NV Masia Salat Organic Cava is a phenomenal Spanish sparkler that blows away the competition. We would know—we taste loads of Cava, but almost never offer it because we so rarely find bottles that meet our standards. 

This one does: It’s the bargain bubbly that goes beyond. Its fine, vibrant mousse and bright bouquet of charred green pineapple, nectarine, and schist are the impressive handiwork of a family dedicated to traditional Cava production since 1920. Organic farming and techniques like extended aging on the lees have set a bar of consistent quality for decades, a standard that few others even aspire to—let alone achieve—at this price.    

To wit: When Wine Enthusiast released their Top 100 Best Buys of 2020 list, this was the only Cava they included in the entire lineup. The magazine also included it on their “Five Best Sparkling Wines for $15 or Less” list. 

Produced by the fourth generation of the Masachs family, who have helped shape the signature style of Cava from the Penedès region, the freshness here comes from a long tradition of farming: No herbicides, pesticides, or other chemical treatments are used on the vibrant, green, rolling rows.

That helps the three grape varieties channel the elegance from the storied terroir of Penedès: Xarel-lo brings the fine-boned acidic structure; Macabeo boosts the crisp, floral core; and Parellada lends a weightless levity and green-apple bite.

Complex on the palate, simple in its appeal, this is the best of Cava at a phenomenal price.