What are the different types of Cava wine?
Cava types are defined two ways: sweetness, from Brut Nature (up to 3 g/L sugar) to Semi Seco (32 to 50 g/L), and aging, from Cava de Guarda (9 months) to Reserva (18), Gran Reserva (30) and Paraje Calificado (36). Brut is the most common dry style.
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In this article
What are the sweetness levels of Cava?
| Style | Sugar (g/L) |
|---|---|
| Brut Nature | No added sugar; up to 3 |
| Extra Brut | Up to 6 |
| Brut | Up to 12 |
| Extra Seco | 12 to 17 |
| Seco | 17 to 32 |
| Semi Seco | 32 to 50 |
Dulce is the sweetest style; the official page we opened gives no range for it. Brut Nature is the driest.
What are the aging categories?
| Category | Minimum aging |
|---|---|
| Cava de Guarda | 9 months |
| Cava Reserva | 18 months |
| Cava Gran Reserva | 30 months |
| Cava de Paraje Calificado | 36 months |
Cava de Guarda Superior covers Reserva, Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado, with more than 18 months of aging.
What is Cava de Paraje Calificado?
A category approved in 2017 for singular Cavas from a terroir with exceptional characteristics. It requires at least 36 months of aging, manual harvesting, vines at least 10 years old and a maximum yield of 8,000 kg per hectare. Only about a dozen Cavas hold it.
Which grapes are used?
Nine are authorised. White: Chardonnay, Malvasia, Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo. Red: Trepat, Red Grenache, Pinot Noir and Monastrell.
How do you choose a Cava?
- For food and everyday drinking, choose Brut.
- For a very dry, crisp wine, choose Brut Nature or Extra Brut.
- For dessert, choose Semi Seco.
- For more depth and a toasty character, look for Reserva or Gran Reserva.
Check the label for the sweetness word, the aging category and the producer.
Do sweetness and aging go together?
They are separate labels. A Cava can be Brut and Reserva at once, which means dry and aged at least 18 months. Check both words on the bottle before you buy, and ask the shop if you are unsure.
People also ask
What is the driest type of Cava?
Brut Nature, with no added sugar and up to 3 g/L natural sugar.
How long is Cava Reserva aged?
At least 18 months. Gran Reserva needs 30 and Paraje Calificado 36.
Which grapes make Cava?
Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo are among nine authorised varieties, which also include Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
Sources
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