The Wine Reference🍷 SupportCava
Cava is a sparkling wine style known for apple, lemon, almond. Its best-known homes are Penedès, Spain.
Origin and history
Spain's traditional-method sparkling wine, first made in 1872 by Josep Raventós of Codorníu in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia; the Cava DO was formalised in 1986.
Where it grows
About 95% comes from Catalonia, centred on the Penedès; it may also be made in parts of Valencia (Requena), Aragón, Navarra, Rioja and Extremadura.
Structure
Light to medium body, fresh acidity and fine bubbles; from Brut Nature to Dulce, with Brut most common. Made by second fermentation in bottle.
Aromas, young and aged
Young: lemon, green apple, pear, white flowers and almond. With long lees ageing: toast, brioche, dried fruit and nutty, earthy notes.
Ageing
Non-vintage within 1–3 years; Gran Reserva can develop for 5–10 years.
Good to know
Lees-ageing minimums are 9 months, 18 months for Reserva, 30 for Gran Reserva and 36 for Cava de Paraje Calificado. Main grapes: Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada.
Cava wines to try
Real bottles from The Wine Library.
Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut
Crisp and lively: apple, citrus and light toasty notes.
Food: Tapas, fried calamari, party snacks
Similar styles
Explore all grapes in the interactive guide
The Wine Reference newsletter
New wines, stories and career guides, one email a week at most.
Over 18s only. Unsubscribe any time with one click. Your email is stored securely by Kit and never shared.
Support The Wine Reference
This guide is free, with no paywall. If it helped you choose a bottle, you can buy me a glass and keep it growing.
🍷 Buy me a glass