The cellar index

WineCollection 47

Cava

Bottle-fermented Spanish sparkling wine with fresh fruit and the possibility of long lees ageing.

Origin & traditionSpain

Character & context

Understanding Cava

Cava uses the traditional method, with the second fermentation in bottle. Familiar grapes include Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada, although others are authorised. Time on the lees can shift the wine from fresh apple and citrus toward toast and more savoury depth. Compare origin, ageing category and sweetness together.

Further reading: D.O. Cava

Read related observations