CRUSHING HARD ON CAVA: CHECK OUT THURSTQUEEN'S TELL-ALL GUIDE FEATURING SPAIN'S ANSWER TO CHAMPAGNE & WHY IT SHOULD BE YOUR MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY BUBBLY

Stock photography is great, isn’t it?

But in all seriousness, if there ever was an image that perfectly captured a great way to enjoy Cava, this would be it.

Cava is the ultimate casual beachside bubbly. It’s inexpensive, so you can enjoy it while wearing your swimsuit in a cave while channeling main character energy and feeling like the classiest bitch that ever lived. And the best news? Cava is cheap.

Cava is Spain’s bargain-priced answer to Champagne, and chances are if you’ve ever had a bottle of bubbles under $20.00 at a restaurant or what have you, it was highly likely Cava.

HOW IS CAVA MADE?

Cava is made in the Penedes region of Spain, and if you’re looking for a Spanish Cava, chances are it will be classified within the Cava DO (denomination de origen.) Spain has a very specific, highly regulated area devoted to Cava production.

Unlike Prosecco, which is another inexpensive sparkling wine from Italy that is made in a tank, Cava is made in the exact same way as Champagne. For Cava, there is a primary fermentation process that occurs, and a secondary fermentation process that happens in the bottle.

After that fermentation process, the bottles are then tilted on a pupitre - or what is known as a gyropalate. The pupitre ensures that all the sediment goes down to the neck of the bottle, so it can be dosed with a special liquor just like the Champagne making process.

This is an old school riddling rack in Champagne (or a Pupitre.)

What grapes go into Cava?

Cava can be made from both white and red grapes, and is made in sparkling white or rosé styles. The most popular Cava grapes are Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Chardonnay. Macabeo and Xarel-lo are typically high acid, mineral-driven grapes and the Chardonnay adds a bit of a creamier texture. For rosé Cavas, expect to see Pinot Noir, Garnacha and Monastrell - or Mourvèdre.

What’s the flavor difference between Cava & Champagne?

If we’re talking entry level Cava versus entry level Champagne, consider Cava to be Champagne’s more chilled out cousin. Champagne typically has a lot of bread-y, yeasty flavors and Cava has more creamy, citrus qualities.

Lots of Champagnes tend to be weightier, and have longer finishes at entry level price points. Yet what they lack is the refreshing, bracing quality of Cava. If Champagne is too heavy for you, give Cava a shot — those bubbles are delightfully crushable.

How to find a good bottle of Cava?

If you’re looking for some quality Cava, here’s a little tip: check out the color of the foil on the top of the bottle. The foil can be a great indicator as to how long the Cava has been aged.

White Foil = Cava de Guarda (aka Baby Cava)

If your bottle of Cava has a white foil top and a label that reads “Cava de Guarda,” that means it’s young Cava. This is not necessarily a bad thing, it just means it’s going to be ultra zesty and refreshing. Cava de Guarda must have a minimum of 9 month’s aging before it is released. These Cavas are great to enjoy on their own, or in Mimosas and Spritzes.

Green Foil = Reserva

If your bottle of Cava has a green foil top and is labeled as a Reserva, that means the Cava has been aged for a minimum of 15 months prior to release. These Cavas are a bit more complex, and channel major non vintage Champagne vibes.

Black Foil = Gran Reserva

These Cavas have been aged for a minimum of 30 months on the lees for a yeasty texture. These Gran Reservas come in Brut Nature, Extra Brut, and Brut. They are effectively dry cavas with no noticeable added sugars. Gran Reserva Cavas are great on their own, and have an element of sophistication to them. Basically, they’re black tie Cava.

Gold Foil = Cava Paraje Calificado (AKA The Good Shit)

Cava Paraje Calificado is vintage dated, and bottled from a single vineyard with vines that have to legally be older than ten years - very special indeed! These Cavas, like the Gran Reservas, must be Brut Nature, Extra Brut or Brut. If you’re unsure of what these categorizations mean, the term Brut simply refers to the sugar level (aka grams per liter) in the Cava. Check out this infographic below for a refresher:

You can find some fantastic Gran Reserva Cavas and even Cava Paraje Calificados that are priced at a steal, and in terms of taste just might kick Champagne’s ass and take its lunch money, so be sure to be on the look out for those higher tier Cavas the next time your out and about at your local wine shop.

What to pair Cava with?

Remember, bubbly wines of all kinds are some of the most versatile, food friendly wines around. They aren’t just for special occasions!

Cava goes amazing with French fries and fried chicken if you’re looking for an alcoholic companion for all that artery clogging goodness. This Spanish sparkler is also spectacular with salads, which are notoriously difficult to pair wines with, as those bubbles really complement all that crispy lettuce. Some of my favorite Cava pairings are pretty simple, however, as I love to bust out some Cava and have it with cheese popcorn during movie night. And now let’s get into the—

PICK OF THE WEEK: 2017 Castell d’Age “Aurèlia” Brut Nature Gran Reserva Cava $25.00

The Aurèlia Cava is a delicious, mouthwateringly acidic, and complicated blend of Xarel-lo, Macabeau, Chardonnay and Parellada that channels major vintage Champagne vibes. It’s yeasty, toasty, and opulent. You could probably bring a bottle of this to some fancy party and folks would think you paid at least double for this stuff.

Castell d’Age is a property that’s female-owned and run, situated within Catalunya, Spain. All of the Cavas made there are done the old school way, which means the grapes are harvested and the wines are riddled by hand. This beauty of a bubbly was aged for thirty months on its lees, which explains all that complexity.

Vintage Champagne is my love language, so the second I was able to get my hands on a bottle of this stuff it was love at first sip. This is not a Cava you just throw back with orange juice at a mimosa brunch. It’s serious. You want to take it out on several dates, ask it to marry you and make sweet love to it if you get my vibe.

Bust out a bottle of this for that person you really want to impress. You could easily enjoy it on its own, or give it a go with a roast chicken. A bottle that’s stunning in every way.