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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