Crying for Cava

Since its beginnings at the turn of the twentieth century, cava (Spanish sparkling wine) has been readily consumed by the middle classes. Barcelona has dozens of xampanyeria, wine bars specializing in it. It’s a Catalonian family tradition to drive to wine country on Saturdays for a picnic of cava and grilled lamb. Bodegas sell locally raised lamb and rent outdoor stone fireplaces. Of course, the sparkler is also sipped ceremoniously. At a baptism everyone drinks cava, even the baby, whose pacifier is dipped in the bubbly. Not to be left out (cava is a wine for everyone after all) and possibly more important, as a way of keeping them quiet in church, other babies may be given the same treat.