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In case 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 a large 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 because the second half of the nineteenth century. Since its invention within the San Sadurní d’Anoia, it’s rapidly grow to be a cornerstone of Catalan tradition, and sampling some is a can’t-miss Barcelona meals expertise.

All through this information to the town’s cava choices, I’ll run by way of my high journey ideas for visiting cava bars, the totally different varieties to strive, and probably the most iconic cava bars in Barcelona you need to go to!

What Is Cava? Catalonia’s Glowing Star

Cava is the glowing wine of selection 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 standard 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 grow to be an on a regular basis staple in each swanky and informal bars in Barcelona.

Forms 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. Under, you’ll discover a rundown of cava kinds.

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 recent, 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): Any such 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 staff nicely with complicated, spicy, and deep flavors. The sweetest sorts of cava are greatest paired with fruit-based desserts or punchy cheeses.

The 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 normally loved chilled in a fragile tulip-shaped glass.
• In some bars, it’s possible you’ll be supplied 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 case you’re in a gaggle, it’s frequent to lift your glass and exclaim ‘salud’ earlier than taking the primary sip.

Cava and Tapas: The Good Pairings

For the entire cava expertise, mix your glass of glowing wine with an acceptable tapas dish. Some tasty pairings embody:

• 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 great 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: Reduce by way of the brininess of olives with a dry cava.

When you can pair your cava with any meals of your selection, the final rule of thumb is to staff salty or creamy dishes with a dry cava, reserving the upper sugar varieties for desserts, delicate cheeses, and different candy treats. 

The place to Discover Nice Cava Bars in Barcelona

Picture credit score: La Vinateria del Name

Cava bars in Barcelona are open for enterprise just about on daily basis of the weekend, and lots of welcome patrons at any time of day. Nonetheless, in the event 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 can even have an excellent alternative for a conventional cava outing.

Most of the hottest cava bars in Barcelona are scattered all through full of life neighborhoods like El Born, the Gothic Quarter, Sant Antoni, and Eixample. 

In my expertise, one of the simplest ways to soak within the distinctive traits of every cava bar is to embark on a bar crawl of kinds. That manner, you’ll get pleasure from a various mixture of cavas and tapas whereas taking within the environment of those charming districts.

In case you’d slightly keep away from tourist-laden venues and follow extra genuine institutions, I counsel including these cava bars in Barcelona to your checklist.

• El Born: La Vinya del Senyor has an in depth 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 an elegant 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: Rejoice 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. Get pleasure from 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 Might 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/barcelona/

Consuming Europe. (2022, December 12). Barcelona meals information: The 20 greatest dishes and drinks to strive. Consuming Europe. Retrieved Might 8, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/weblog/barcelona-food/

La Vinya del Senyor. (n.d.). La Vinya del Senyor. Retrieved Might 8, 2025, from https://lavinyadelsenyor.es/en

La Vinatería del Name. (n.d.). La Vinatería del Name. Retrieved Might 8, 2025, from https://lavinateriadelcall.com/en/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). Celler Florida – Restaurant opinions. Tripadvisor. Retrieved Might 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 Might 8, 2025, from https://www.canpaixano.com/