Is Freixenet Cordon Negro good?
Freixenet Cordon Negro is a good, cheap, dry bubbly from Spain that's made the same way as Champagne, which is why it tastes crisper and drier than most bottles at its price.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut · Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada · Cava, Spain · nearly every grocery store
- Alcohol
- About 11.5% to 12%
- Sweetness
- Brut (dry)
- Grapes
- Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada
- Made by
- Freixenet, owned by Henkell Freixenet
- From
- Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Penedès, Spain
- Price
- About $10 to $12
- Calories
- About 110 to 120 in a 5 oz glass (estimate)
What it tastes like
Lemon, green apple and a little toasted almond, with lively bubbles, ending dry and clean. Simple and refreshing.
- Bodylight → big
- Sweetnessdry → sweet
- Zingsoft → zippy
Is it worth $11?
Yes. Around $11 for a Champagne-method bubbly is a steal, and the black bottle looks sharp on a table.
Who it’s for
Anyone who likes their bubbles dry, plus mimosa makers who want something better than the cheapest option. If you like a softer, fruitier fizz, go Prosecco.
How to serve it
Very cold.
The backstory
Freixenet (say "fresh-eh-NET") comes from Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, the Cava capital near Barcelona, and the frosted black Cordon Negro bottle has been around since 1974. The Ferrer family ran it for generations; it merged with Germany's Henkell in 2018, and in 2026 Henkell bought the family's remaining half. Cava is made the same way as Champagne, with the bubbles formed in each bottle, which is why it has a dry, slightly toasty, almond-y edge that Prosecco doesn't.
How it compares
- Freixenet vs Korbel
Korbel is softer and a little sweeter; Freixenet is drier and crisper for a few dollars less, so pick Freixenet if you like your bubbles bone dry.
- Freixenet vs Mionetto
Mionetto is lighter and fruitier, all green apple and pear; Freixenet has more of a toasty, nutty snap.
- Freixenet vs La Marca
La Marca is softer and sweeter and costs more; Freixenet is the drier, cheaper pick for mimosas and parties.
What to eat with it
- Tapas and fried snacks
- Shrimp →
- Tacos →
- Manchego and cheese board →
Questions people ask
- Is Freixenet Champagne?
- No, it's Cava, Spain's sparkling wine. It's made the same way as Champagne, with bubbles formed in the bottle, but it comes from Spain and uses Spanish grapes.
- Is Freixenet a good sparkling wine?
- For the price, yes. It's dry, clean and made the traditional way for around $11, which is hard to beat.
- What is Freixenet Cordon Negro?
- It's Freixenet's flagship Brut Cava in the frosted black bottle, a dry blend of the Spanish grapes Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada.
- Where is Freixenet made?
- In Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, in Spain's Penedès region, about an hour west of Barcelona.
- How do you pronounce Freixenet?
- Say "fresh-eh-NET." The "x" in Catalan sounds like "sh."
- How long does Freixenet last unopened?
- It's made to drink young, so aim to open it within a year or two of buying it. Keep it somewhere cool and dark.
If you like this, try
- MionettoGlera · about $13Good buy
- La MarcaGlera · about $16Good buy
- KorbelSparkling blend · about $13It's fine
Where Moxie recommends it
- What wine goes with Chinese food?
- What's the best cheap wine?
- What is the best champagne for New Year's Eve?
- What's the best cheap champagne?
- What is the best wine for sangria?
- What is the best champagne for mimosas?
- What is sparkling wine?
- What is Cava?
- How many carbs are in wine?
- Brut vs Extra Dry: what's the difference?
- Cava vs Prosecco: what's the difference?
Last checked 2026-10-04. Moxie Vino isn’t affiliated with Freixenet; this is our honest take. Bottle photo: Freixenet.