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In the event you’re a lover of glowing wines, stopping by some cava bars in Barcelona is a should. Catalonia’s reply to champagne is all the time an enormous hit on my Barcelona meals excursions, and there’s nothing fairly just like the sound of bottles popping, bubbles fizzing in chilled glasses, and bustling bars.
Cava has been round for the reason that second half of the nineteenth century. Since its invention within the San Sadurní d’Anoia, it’s shortly develop into a cornerstone of Catalan tradition, and sampling some is a can’t-miss Barcelona meals expertise.
All through this information to town’s cava choices, I’ll run by my high journey suggestions for visiting cava bars, the totally different varieties to attempt, and probably the most iconic cava bars in Barcelona you must go to!
What Is Cava? Catalonia’s Glowing Star
Cava is the glowing wine of alternative for Catalan natives. Though it tends to be fairly inexpensive, it’s made utilizing the identical wine-making technique utilized in champagne manufacturing.
A mix of Macabeo, Xarel·lo, and Parellada grapes is used as a part of the normal technique, or ‘método tradicional.’ Through the preliminary fermentation course of, the grapes are separated by selection. They’re then fused collectively, bottled, and blended with yeast and sugar, as a part of the second fermentation.
Whereas usually thought-about a celebratory beverage for weddings, birthdays, and different get-togethers, it’s develop into an on a regular basis staple in each swanky and informal bars in Barcelona.
Varieties of Cava: Know What You’re Sipping
Cava is available in various ranges of sweetness and age, which might have an effect on the style and suitability of meals pairings. Beneath, you’ll discover a rundown of cava types.
Brut Nature: The driest type of cava that solely boasts residual sugar.
Brut: A dry selection with lower than 12 grams of sugar per liter.
Semi Seco: This semi-dry wine balances candy and dry flavors.
Dulce: The sweetest kind of cava with 50 grams of sugar or extra per liter.
Cava (9+ months): Younger cava has a contemporary, citrusy taste profile and a crisp end.
Reserva (15+): A barely tart, acidic wine with notes of peach, apricot, and almond.
Gran Reserva (30+): A extra intense cava with hints of dried fruit and smoky, toasted tones.
Paraje Calificado (premium single property): This kind of cava comes from specified vineyards identified for his or her high quality manufacturing.
Younger and dry cavas complement mild bites, seafood, and delicate cheeses, whereas aged varieties group nicely with advanced, spicy, and deep flavors. The sweetest sorts of cava are greatest paired with fruit-based desserts or punchy cheeses.
The best way to Drink Cava Like a Native: Bar Tradition & Etiquette
- Make sure you select a cava bar in Barcelona to fit your tastes, as you’ll discover a mixture of easygoing, standing-only spots and refined, ambient venues.
- Cava is often loved chilled in a fragile tulip-shaped glass.
- In some bars, you could be provided some snack plates to accompany your cava.
- Although there are only a few occasions of day when cava isn’t available, many locals select cava to drink as a pre-lunch and dinner beverage or at weekends.
- In the event you’re in a bunch, it’s widespread to boost your glass and exclaim ‘salud’ earlier than taking the primary sip.
Cava and Tapas: The Excellent Pairings
For the whole cava expertise, mix your glass of glowing wine with an appropriate tapas dish. Some tasty pairings embrace:
- Jamón Ibérico: The wealthy, nutty style of jamón Ibérico goes completely with the clear flavors of a dry cava.
- Manchego: A younger cava is a wonderful match for this buttery cheese.
- Anchovies: Anchovies’ salty flavors are greatest accentuated by a dry cava.
- Pan con Tomate: The refreshing, zingy nature of a dry or semi-sweet cava makes it a really perfect pairing for pan con tomate.
- Marinated Seafood: Dry cava fits the savory however acidic tones of marinated seafood.
- Parmesan: Aged cava goes down a deal with with sharp Parmesan and different tangy cheeses.
- Olives: Minimize by the brininess of olives with a dry cava.
When you can pair your cava with any meals of your alternative, the final rule of thumb is to group salty or creamy dishes with a dry cava, reserving the upper sugar varieties for desserts, gentle cheeses, and different candy treats.
The place to Discover Nice Cava Bars in Barcelona
Photograph credit score: La Vinateria del Name
Cava bars in Barcelona are open for enterprise just about daily of the weekend, and plenty of welcome patrons at any time of day. Nonetheless, in case you’re on the hunt for a extra native cava bar expertise and ambiance, plan for a night or weekend go to. These on the town throughout a vacation may even have an excellent alternative for a standard cava outing.
Lots of the hottest cava bars in Barcelona are scattered all through energetic neighborhoods like El Born, the Gothic Quarter, Sant Antoni, and Eixample.
In my expertise, the easiest way to soak within the distinctive traits of every cava bar is to embark on a bar crawl of types. That approach, you’ll get pleasure from a various mixture of cavas and tapas whereas taking within the environment of those charming districts.
In the event you’d moderately keep away from tourist-laden venues and stick with extra genuine institutions, I counsel including these cava bars in Barcelona to your checklist.
- El Born: La Vinya del Senyor has an intensive cava menu and is ignored by the beautiful Basílica de Santa Maria del Mar.
- Gothic Quarter: La Vinateria del Name needs to be one of many coziest cava bars in Barcelona, with a brick-covered inside and sizable wine cellar.
- Sant Antoni: Cellar Florida is a classy however inviting wine bar serving some sensational cava and tapas plates.
- Eixample: Can Paixano is a legendary spot for high quality cava at inexpensive costs.
Remaining Ideas: Have a good time the Glowing Facet of Barcelona
The stellar line-up of cava bars in Barcelona is an immense supply of delight for Catalans. As such, I like to recommend sipping cava just like the locals do. Take pleasure in neighborhood, dialog, and the slower tempo of life whereas savoring a glass of this treasured glowing wine. In Barcelona, each bubbly sip is a celebration!
Sources:
Consuming Europe. (n.d.). Barcelona meals excursions. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/
Consuming Europe. (2022, December 12). Barcelona meals information: The 20 greatest dishes and drinks to attempt. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/
La Vinya del Senyor. (n.d.). La Vinya del Senyor. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://lavinyadelsenyor.es/en
La Vinatería del Name. (n.d.). La Vinatería del Name. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://lavinateriadelcall.com/en/
Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Celler Florida – Restaurant evaluations. Tripadvisor. Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187497-d10488916-Critiques-Celler_Florida-Barcelona_Catalonia.html
Can Paixano. (n.d.). Can Paixano (La Xampanyeria). Retrieved Could 8, 2025, from https://www.canpaixano.com/
