What Is Cava Wine?

We’re going to take a look at what grapes make Cava wine and the taste and flavor profiles you can expect when drinking Cava.

What Is Cava Wine?

You may not be familiar with Cava, but it’s a traditional sparkling Spanish wine typically produced in the Penedes region of Catalonia, located on the northeast side of Spain. It’s made in the “traditional method,” the same way Champagne is made, resulting in a richer and more complex sparkling wine with intense citrus notes and a distinct nuttiness. The bubbles in Cava are fine with a smooth and creamy mouth feel. It was originally known as the Spanish Champagne. There are three main grapes used to create Cava: Macabeu, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. There are other grapes that will contribute as well: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Garnacha, and Monastrell.

What Does Cava Taste Like?

It’s typically a dry sparkling wine that’s light- to medium-bodied. It’s filled with zesty citrus flavors that are sure to delight the taste buds. If the Cava has been aged, it will have a distinct nuttiness to it and sweet notes resembling baked apple. It develops a smooth and creamy mouth feel with the soft and fine bubbles. The dominant flavors are usually lemon, lime, tart apple, quince, and almond. You’ll also find floral aromas with wonderfully fruity pear notes. Cava is less nutty than Champagne, but it’s less sweet than Prosecco.

What Color Is Cava?

You’ll find Cava in two varieties: white and rose. The coloring depends on which grape variety is used to make the Cava.

What To Pair With Cava

The best thing to pair with Cava sparkling wine is tapas! Tapas and Cava are a match made in heaven. But it’s also an extremely versatile wine. The acidity levels in Cava make it the best palate cleanser between bites, so it’s the perfect match with a charcuterie board. Cava can also make best friends with barbeque, salmon, fried fish, Chinese-style stir-fry, and other noodle dishes.

Now that you know what Cava is, you can impress your friends with your extensive knowledge.