About Freixenet
Sparkling wine sales in the continue to buck the downward trend that still wines have faced in recent years (there's always time to celebrate after all), as wine drinkers have started to see sparkling wines as an everyday treat, rather than a wine for a special occasion. The current darling of the sparkling wine world has for a long time been Prosecco, which encouraged Freixenet to branch into this. It swiftly became a bestseller!
Freixenet first and foremost is a long-established brand of Cava, the generic name for sparkling wine, made in the Catalan area, of Vilafranca, close to Barcelona, by the same method as Champagne. Cava had a negative connotation in the late nineties, as a cheap alternative to quality sparkling wine. Today, the quality is high, and the reputation has grown, as both brands, and supermarket own labels have worked to increase the quality levels and perception of this fruity, approachable and, affordable sparkling wine.
The Freixenet company and brand was born in 1915, as a result of the union of 2 wine making families in Catalonia, close to Barcelona, in northern Spain, the Ferrers and the Salas, who both had established wineries in the area, including the Ferrer owned 13th century estate of La Freixeneda. The brand name came from the nickname given to Pedro Ferrer, who married Dolores Salas in 1911.
The newlyweds focussed on building the joint business between their families, and focussed on the opportunity for sparkling wine production in the regioin, using traditional grapes, but the Champagne method of secondary fermentation in bottle. In 1915, they began to sell their products, and buoyed by their success, they built new cellars in the heart of the Cava producing region, San Sadurni D’Anoia, in order to increase capacity of production and improve overall quality.
The Cava market in Spain took off, but the Spanish Civil War put paid to many opportunities for development. Pedro Ferrer was killed during the war and Dolores took over the running of the family business.
Dolores Ferrer brought her children into the business, to drive it forward, and none more so than her eldest son Jose, who joined the family business at 22, and is largely responsible for putting Freixenet on the international map today, with his forward thinking ideas, and ambitious development plans. He undertook intense research into the best methods for sparkling wine production, and the vineyard management of the grapes for these wines. He was the first to bring in pneumatic presses, to press the grapes more gently, and thus provide a fresher, fruitier style; he also did a vast amount of research into the best yeast cultures for sparkling wine development, and was the first to refrigerated vats to control the temperature during fermentation and ensure higher quality wines.
Jose Ferrer was also a marketing whizz-kid, and single-handedly developed the now iconic matt black bottle, which is one of the most eye-catching and recognisable brands on our shelves. He also created strong advertising campaigns, and this strategy has continued, both in Spain and internationally.
By the mid eighties, Freixenet was the biggest sparkling wine export brand in the world, with sales of over 200 million bottles, accounting for over half of Spanish sparkling wine production. Today the brand goes from strength to strength, and the company have added a range of still wines to the range.
What Styles Of Wine Do Freixenet Produce?
Freixenet is world famous for its range of top quality sparkling wines from San Sadurni d’Anoia, in Catalonia, northern Spain, about an hour from Barcelona. The wines are produced from 3 main grape varieties, all Spanish, Parellada, Macabeo and Xarello. Occasionally a little Chardonnay is added. The wines are made by the traditional (Champagne method), whereby the secondary fermentation, which creates the bubbles occurs in the bottle. Freixenet also now produces a range of still wines from northern Spain and Prosecco from Italy.
Freixenet Cordon Negro – the iconic black bottle is recognisable worldwide. With a fine mousse, fresh, tangy fragrance and lively flavours of baked apples, cream and citrus, it’s an elegant sparkler to please all palates. This is also available in baby 20cl sizes – great and stylish to drink from the bottle with a straw!
Freixenet Cordon Rosado - the pink version of Freixenet, is a dry, fruity pink fizz, bursting with ripe strawberry and raspberry flavours.
Freixenet Prosecco – Freixenet added Italian Prosecco to the range and a good thing they did. In it's stylish cut-glass bottle, which is equally if not more recognisable than the Cordon Negro, it displays classic Prosecco. Aromas of citrus, apple and flower with lemon, green apple and grapefruit bursting on the palate.
Freixenet Ice Rose Cava - The Freixenet ICE range follows in the footsteps of major Champagne houses such as Moet where the perfect serve can only be done on the rocks. Yes, Sparkling wine on the rocks. They offer up a Rose and a white for the ultiamte refreshment.
Freixenet Italian Rose Extra Dry –
Freixenet Italian Rosé is an enticing blend of Glera and Pinot Noir grapes. Light and with lively bubbles, it shows notes of red berries (raspberry and strawberry in particular) and a floral note with hints of white flowers and orchard apples.
Freixenet Asti is a new addition to the range for those with a sweet tooth. It displays on the nose a character of peach, citrus, and subtle hints of white flowers. On the palate, it is fresh and elegant with a finish reminiscent of honey and sweet fruits.
Freixenet Spanish Still Sauvignon Blanc -
A fresh wine with bright vibrant fruits - Lemon and tropical fruit flavous culminate very nicely. It has texture and body allowing it to be a great food partner too.
Freixenet Pinot Grigio -
Freixenet Pinot Grigio was the natural choice after their Italian Prosecco was such a hit. It has the joyous delicate fruit of pinot grigio with crisp citrus, apple and pear drop. Light bodied and infinitely refreshing.
Freixenet 0.0% Alcohol Free Sparkling White and Freixenet 0.0% Sparkling Rose Alcohol Free -
Chasing the recent demand for alcohol free and general wellness, Freixenet have come out with two very good guilt free versions of their popular sparkling wines. The rose has notes of strawberries and roses, whilst the white comes out with tropical notes and elegant citrus hints.
Updated on 30th December 2024 by our resident wine expert David Andrews. Read his blog on Instagram @oinosattheoikos