After just a few years within the doldrums, cava is again! British gross sales rose by over 17% from 2021 to 2022, making the UK the fourth largest marketplace for cava on the planet. This makes excellent sense because the British love champagne and one of the best cava has a flavour that’s not that completely different however at a a lot lower cost. If I used to be having a celebration and needed one thing to please my company with out worrying about a formidable label, I might significantly take a look at cava slightly than champagne or new world sparklers.
In contrast to prosecco, which will get its bubbles from in a pressurised tank, cava is made in precisely the identical method as champagne, by bottle fermentation after which aged for a minimum of a 12 months so that you get related biscuity flavours. The distinction is that Cava is often produced from Catalan grape varieties xarel-lo, macabeo and parellada although some producers use chardonnay and pinot noir.
I attempted a choice of extensively out there wines from supermarkets, wine retailers, on-line retailers and large manufacturers. I’ve to say that high quality was significantly better than I anticipated, increased than after I did this take a look at 5 years in the past and far significantly better than the usual 10 or 15 years in the past. A budget ones had been all very nice and there have been some excellent wines should you’re ready to pay a bit extra.
Wine professional Henry Jeffreys has beforehand written drinks guides for BBC Good Meals overlaying all types of fizz, together with the finest prosecco, finest English glowing wines and finest champagne. Learn on to find which cava is finest. For extra, go to our opinions part and discover over 400 sensible purchaser’s guides, together with style exams of rosé wine, gin, vodka and extra.
The perfect cava to purchase at a look
- Greatest single varietal cava: Juvé y Camps cava singular gran reserva brut nature 2016, £21
- Greatest massive model cava: Freixenet Cordón Negro brut cava, £10
- Greatest finances cava: Tesco cava brut non-vintage, £5.85
- Greatest cava to have with seafood: Waitrose No.1 Castillo Perelada cava brut 2020, £8.99
- Greatest grocery store personal model cava: Asda Additional Particular Mas Miralda cava brut, £8
- Greatest classic cava: Conde de Haro brut reserva 2019, £13.95
- Greatest cava for entertaining: Cune cava brut, Penedès, £16.99
- Greatest rosé cava: Roger Goulart Cava Coral rosé brut 2018, £18
- Greatest for the prettiest bottle: Vilarnau cava rosé delicat brut reserva NV, £12
The perfect cava to purchase, style examined 2023
Juvé y Camps cava singular gran reserva brut nature 2016
Greatest single varietal cava
That is made completely from xarel-lo (don’t be alarmed, the ‘x’ is pronounced like a ‘ch’). With its floral, even peppery, flavour, that is scrumptious in addition to extremely distinctive. In contrast to most glowing wines, it’s not making an attempt to be champagne and it’s all the higher for it.
Out there from:
Harvey Nichols (£21)
Freixenet Cordón Negro brut cava
Greatest massive model cava
That matte black bottle is such a fixture on the excessive road that it’s straightforward to miss Freixenet however that will be a mistake. That is a lot significantly better than it was, filled with lemon sherbet fruit with a shocking weight and richness to it.
Out there from:
Tesco (£10)
Morrisons (£11)
Asda (£10)
Amazon (£10)
Tesco cava brut non-vintage
Greatest finances cava
Actually foolish cash for a wine made utilizing the identical methodology as champagne and aged for a 12 months earlier than promoting. That is made by a producer referred to as La Vuelta and is healthier than any cava at this value needs to be, with its clear citrus flavour and contact of biscuity richness.
Extra like this
Out there from:
Tesco (£5.85)
Waitrose No.1 Castillo Perelada cava brut 2020
Greatest cava to have with seafood
That is made for Waitrose by Castillo Perelada, a vineyard primarily based in Girona. I discovered it deliciously crisp with inexperienced apple and a bit of toastiness and nuttiness on the end. Its unpretentious charms can be nice with a giant pile of spicy grilled prawns.
Out there from:
Waitrose (£8.99)
Greatest grocery store personal model cava
£8 for a wine that has been aged for 5 years – one other foolish value. Initially it’s fairly easy with a lemon peel freshness however then the mature notes like almond and pastry come by on the end. Actually pleasant and tastes way more costly than it’s.
Out there from:
Asda (£8)
Conde de Haro brut reserva 2019
Greatest classic cava
Muga is a Rioja Bodega however in addition they produce cava beneath the Conde de Haro label. I’ve been consuming this wine for years and each classic is great. If you happen to like a richer model, then this with its wealthy marzipan texture is the wine for you. Very superior cava.
Out there from:
The Wine Society (£13.95)
Cune cava brut, Penedès
Greatest cava for entertaining
CVNE, often known as Cune, are one other rioja home which produces cava. That is an absolute delight, with crisp inexperienced apple flavours and completely balanced maturity. The label appears very stylish too. This might be nice for events, particularly as the value comes down considerably should you purchase six bottles.
Out there from:
Majestic (£16.99)
Roger Goulart Cava Coral rosé brut 2018
Greatest rosé cava
No white grapes in right here in any respect, that is produced from a mix of pinot noir and garnacha, aka grenache. On the nostril it smells actually toasty and yeasty after which take a sip and you’ll actually style the crimson wine character. There’s lots of crimson cherry fruit. I can’t think about anybody not having fun with this.
Out there from:
Hic (£18)
Vilarnau cava rosé delicat brut reserva NV
Greatest for the prettiest bottle
The bottle is impressed by the structure of Barcelona’s most well-known son Antoni Gaudí. Fortunately the contents are as fairly as the surface. One other rosé produced from grenache and pinot noir. It tastes a bit like strawberry ice cream however with bubbles. If you happen to can think about such a factor.
Out there from:
Ocado (£12)
The perfect champagne
The perfect prosecco
The perfect rosé wine
The perfect rum
The perfect gin
The perfect non-alcoholic drinks
The perfect vodka
The perfect tequila
This overview was final up to date in February 2023. When you’ve got any questions, ideas for future opinions or spot something that has modified in value or availability please get in contact at goodfoodwebsite@fast.co.uk.
