Cava
Spanish Sparkling Wine
Cava, a Spanish "sparkling wine", is a centuries-old tradition carried on in the northern areas of Spain. A Cava is created in
the same manner as French Champagne is. For example, Jaume Serra makes their Cavas in the traditional methode champenois, and they are aged for a minimum of 18 to 24 months prior to releasing.
Ninety-nine percent of Cava in Spain is made in the northwest region - in the Penedès area of Catalonia. The other 1% is scattered randomly amongst small producers in the rest of the country. One of the most popular sparkling wines in the United States, Freixenet, is a Spanish Cava. Out of the 130 million bottles of Cava produced each year, Freixenet accounts for over 60% of the volume.
The grapes traditionally used for Cava - macabeo, xarello, and parellada - make Cava a light, white, fruity, perfumed wine. There are currently around 250 Cava producers in operation in Spain, with most falling into the defined region and therefore legally able to use the Cava designation on their labels. The Spanish wine term for this is the 'denomination of origin'.
You would want to drink cava from a tall, thin wine glass, called a flute, so that the bubbles are preserved as long as possible.
Cava is traditionally a drink-now wine. When the wine is on the shelves at the store, it is ready to drink.
Buy the Riedel Cava / Champagne glass from Amazon.com
Wine Types Main Listing
Champagne (and Cava) Cocktail Recipes
All content on the WineIntro website is personally written by author and wine enthusiast Lisa Shea. WineIntro explores the delicious variety and beautiful history which makes up our world of wine! Lisa loves supporting local wineries and encouraging people to drink whatever they like. We all have different taste buds, and that makes our world wonderful. Always drink responsibly.
Ninety-nine percent of Cava in Spain is made in the northwest region - in the Penedès area of Catalonia. The other 1% is scattered randomly amongst small producers in the rest of the country. One of the most popular sparkling wines in the United States, Freixenet, is a Spanish Cava. Out of the 130 million bottles of Cava produced each year, Freixenet accounts for over 60% of the volume.
The grapes traditionally used for Cava - macabeo, xarello, and parellada - make Cava a light, white, fruity, perfumed wine. There are currently around 250 Cava producers in operation in Spain, with most falling into the defined region and therefore legally able to use the Cava designation on their labels. The Spanish wine term for this is the 'denomination of origin'.
Allowable Grapes for Cava
White | Red |
|
Macabeo Xarello Parellada Subirat Chardonnay |
red Garnacha Monastrell |
You would want to drink cava from a tall, thin wine glass, called a flute, so that the bubbles are preserved as long as possible.
Cava is traditionally a drink-now wine. When the wine is on the shelves at the store, it is ready to drink.
Buy the Riedel Cava / Champagne glass from Amazon.com
Wine Types Main Listing
Champagne (and Cava) Cocktail Recipes
All content on the WineIntro website is personally written by author and wine enthusiast Lisa Shea. WineIntro explores the delicious variety and beautiful history which makes up our world of wine! Lisa loves supporting local wineries and encouraging people to drink whatever they like. We all have different taste buds, and that makes our world wonderful. Always drink responsibly.