Cava

Cava Sparkling Wine from Spain - Fermented in the Bottle, Tastes in the Glass

Not far from Barcelona, in the wine-growing region of Penedés, you will find numerous bodegas and even more cavas, the underground variant of a Spanish winery. Underground, nearly 96% of all Cava sparkling wines are created. The quality seal Denominació d’Origen Cava guarantees consistently high quality of the products, but it is not essentially a location-based indication. Additional production sites can be found in Valencia, Rioja, and Navarra. However, the homeland of Cava remains the Penedés region, around the little town of Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. Following the original French model, the winemakers produce Cava through bottle fermentation. The result need not shy away from comparisons with Champagne, as Cava is light, sparkling, and full of delicate aromas, making the Spanish sparkling wine a fine companion for various occasions.

Cava Sparkling Wine Flavors

Cavas are expressive and harmonious sparkling wines with ripe fruit and vibrant acidity. Depending on the flavor profile, a Cava can be dry or sweet. To avoid surprises in the glass, here is a brief overview of the flavors of Cava sparkling wines:

• brut: dry with a maximum residual sugar of 15 grams per liter
• extra brut: extra dry with a maximum of 6 g/l residual sugar
• brut nature: very dry with a maximum of 3 g/l
• extra seco: less dry than brut, with a residual sugar content between 12 and 20 g/l
• seco: dry with a residual sugar of 17-35 g/l
• semi seco: semi-dry Cavas with 33-55 g/l residual sugar

Production of Cava

Since Josep Raventós brought his knowledge of Champagne enriched in France to Spain in 1872, the Méthode traditionelle, the typical Champagne method, has been the way a wine must go to later bring sparkling joy to the people as Cava.

• It starts with the base wine. Approved grape varieties are Xarel·lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Garnatxa, Monastrell, Trepat, and Pinot Noir. Traditionally, the base wine consists of Xarel·lo for the body, Parellada for elegance, and Macabeo for freshness. The cuvée is then supplemented with the dosage, consisting of cultured yeast and crystal sugar.
• Now the mixture is bottled and sealed. Fermentation begins lying down in the cellar. The yeast converts the sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The longer this second fermentation lasts, the higher the quality of the finished Cava.
• To later get the yeast extract out of the bottle, riddling is started. The bottles are placed on riddling racks upside down and at an angle. Gradually, the bottles are shaken a little, turned slightly, and inserted more vertical into the riddling racks. This way, the extract moves step by step into the neck of the bottle.
• After months of aging, the bottles are dipped upside down into -20°C cold brine so that the bottle neck, and thus the yeast there, is frozen. When the bottle is opened now, the carbonation shoots the frozen yeast out.
• Before the Cava is finished, the bottle is topped up with the shipping dosage. This consists of a mixture of the same cuvée and cane sugar. Depending on the dosage, the flavor profile of the Cava is decided here.
• Finally, the bottle is corked again and securely sealed with a wire. The Cava is ready.

Our VINELLO Cava Recommendation

Reserva Brut DO - Segura Viudas
A Cava produced using traditional methods and typical grape varieties. Wonderfully fruity and refreshing, the Reserva Brut D.O. presents itself straw-yellow in the glass. The elegant bubbles enhance the floral nuances and open a rounded finish. Carefully handpicked and fermented for months, the Cava from the Segura Viudas estate promises a unique and stimulating experience for holidays, everyday life, and Mediterranean festive meals. 

Buy Cava Sparkling Wine Online at a Great Price

Enjoy the sparkling specialty from Catalonia and a few scattered corners of Spain and treat yourself to bubbly, fruity Cavas at a great price. Celebrate special moments with Spanish ease. At VINELLO, you will find a selected range of top-quality Cavas. Buy your favorites and benefit from our fast and insured delivery. Order Cavas online easily, chill them, and enjoy the sparkling wine with friends, as a couple, or lost in thought. Cava at VINELLO - savor the sparkling zest for life.