Spain’s Hugely Underrated Sparkling Wine

Introducing Cava, Spain’s incredible sparkling wine. Forget pricey bottles — Cava offers amazing quality at a fraction of the cost. Learn more at www.cava.wine.

International Cava Day is on July 12th. #CAVADAY, a worldwide celebration of Cava and its versatility.

What's In This Video?

Origins and Production

• Cava hails from the Comtats de Barcelona (same area as Penedès region) near Barcelona.
• Its production method, which mirrors Champagne's, was established in 1872. It involves a secondary fermentation inside the bottle.

Quality Attributes

• Cava features fine, mousse-like bubbles and rich aromas such as brioche, marzipan, and toasted nuts derived from extended bottle aging.

Unique Spanish Characteristics

• Cava primarily uses three native Spanish grapes — Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel·lo — contributing to its lean and savory fruit profile.
• The Comtats de Barcelona has a higher elevation and also ensures grapes with higher acidity, which is essential for excellent sparkling wine.

Classifications

Cava is categorized into four quality levels:

• Cava de Guarda: Common and typically brut (dry), these wines emphasize the fruitiness of the grapes and serve as great palate cleansers.
• Cava de Guarda Superior:
  • This includes Reserva and Gran Reserva wines, which spend more time aging and thus develop nuttier, brioche-like flavors and a creamy texture.
  • Paraje Calificado: The highest tier, these rare wines come from single vineyards aged for over three years on tirage, offering complex and unique profiles comparable to top-tier vintage Champagnes.

Tasting and Serving Tips

• Opening a Bottle: Keep the cage on the cork while loosening it to control the release and prevent accidents. Pour the wine at a 45° angle to preserve bubbles.
• Aging Potential: Cava can be aged to develop more complex flavors and a deeper golden color.

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