Since the late nineteenth century Spain has been producing traditional method sparkling wines, and like Champagne, French Crémants or Italy’s Alta Langa, Franciacorta or Trentodoc, Spanish Cava is produced with this method, remaining on its lees for a minimum of nine months with secondary fermentation in the bottle.
What’s unique, however, is that Cava is often produced with a blend of indigenous white grape varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Several international varieties, including the more common varieties for sparkling wines, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, can also be used.
Scroll down to see the top 15 Cava wines of DWWA 2025
Cava has established a global reputation for making some of the best value sparkling wines produced by the traditional method. But it’s important to note the quality to be found across Cava’s categories and styles, with top expressions on par with some of the world’s best.
Styles of Cava
There are three main categories of Cava which produce different styles of sparkling wine.
When labelled Cava, the wine must undergo a minimum of nine months of lees aging, providing subtle notes of autolysis (the bready aromas and flavours found in traditional method sparkling wines). These Cavas typically have light apple, citrus and herbal notes with moderate acidity.
Cava Reserva must spend a minimum of 15 months on the lees – three months less than Champagne requires. Here, biscuit autolytic notes are more evident.
Aged a minimum of 30 months on the lees, Cava Gran Reserva wines can show pronounced autolytic characters including smoky and toasty notes. These Cavas can be premium in price but can show outstanding quality for value, especially when compared to traditional method sparkling wine counterparts.
To strengthen Cava’s notoriety as a world-class sparkling wine, estate produced and bottled Cava can qualify for a relatively new category, Cava de Paraje Calificado. These wines must age a minimum of 36 months, showing even more development and integration of flavours.
Quality rising
Cava’s quality continues to be recognised by leading experts at the 2025 DWWA with Catalonia’s celebrated sparkling wines earning eight Golds and one Platinum.
Awarded to just 0.81% of the total number of wines tasted, Cava’s Platinum medal (97 points) went to Can Sala, Vinyes De Can Sala Brut Nature 2015 which judges described as ‘impeccable’. Along with the top accolades, Cava was awarded an additional 48 Silver and 74 Bronze medals.
To celebrate International Cava Day this 12th July, we highlight the top 15 to celebrate with.
International Cava Day: 15 award-winning wines to try
Can Sala, Vinyes de Can Sala Brut Nature 2015
Platinum, 97 points
An unrivalled opulence of ripe mango, peach and nectarine enveloped in freshly baked bread crust and toasted almonds. The impeccable harmony of structure and acidity, topped-off by the striking pin cushion mousse captivates and endures. Alcohol 12.5%
Alta Alella, Mirgin Exeo Evolució+ Brut Nature 2007
Gold, 95 points
Gorgeous roasted hazelnuts, almonds, baked bread and biscuits set the tone with a permeating lemon and lime freshness besetting the mousse and a crunchy mineral finish. Alc 12%
Avinyó, Gran Reserva La Ticota Brut Nature 2017
Gold, 95 points
White flowers, apples, pears and quince bask in a honeyed saffron and egg custard haze, enveloped in lemon zest effervescence with fresh herbs nurturing the finish. Alc 11.5%
Bodegas Martinez Paiva, Brut Nature 2020
Value Gold, 95 points
Brimming with baked apple, yellow plum and honeysuckle aromas which swirl across the pastry cream richness of the palate and sweep towards the refreshing mineral finish. Alc 12%
Guilera, Agosarat Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2006
Gold, 95 points
Lavish aromas of ripe peach, apricot and apple encircle chalky, wet stone minerals. Bracingly fresh for its age with a stunning cashew and almond clarity to end. Alc 12%
Jaume Serra, Reserva Brut Nature 2021
Value Gold, 95 points
Abundant notes of baked apple and honeyed toast immerse the nose and palate, with a soothing freshness to moderate and lift. The bubbles continue into the long finish. Alc 11.5%
Rovellats, Col·lecció Gran Reserva Extra Brut 2018
Gold, 95 points
Attractive green apple, melon and smoky citrus aromas lap gently at the silky texture and gliding mousse with an enriching bitter herb twist at the end. Alc 11.5%
Vilarnau, Reserva Organic Brut 2022
Value Gold, 95 points
Unmistakably Cava, complete with Golden Delicious apples, honeyed flowers, warming almonds and an enticing citrus acidity. The fine-grained, creamy mousse lingers beyond the finish. Alc 11.5%
Vilarnau, Gran Reserva Organic Brut Nature 2018
Gold, 95 points
Glistening with green apple, lemon and honeydew fruit with a shapely baked brioche warmth to underpin and a cascading ceremony of bubbles to shimmer and endure. Alc 11.5%
Jovani, Gran Rupestre Gran Reserva Extra Brut 2017
Silver, 94 points
Bready notes with aromas of toast, dried fruit and candied apples on the nose. Nicely textured on the palate. Alc 11.5%
Celler Vell, Estruch Inici Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2018
Silver, 93 points
Toasty nose with aromas of baked apple and dried red berries. Creamy and savoury palate, with a silky texture. Alc 11.5%
Joan Segura Pujadas, Gran Reserva Laia Brut Nature 2012
Silver, 93 points
Smoky and earthy nuances on the nose, with a nutty character and touches of chamomile. Creamy and buttery palate. Alc 12.5%
Pere Ventura, Gran Reserva Brut 2017
Silver, 93 points
Gentle floral nose with aromas of lemon zest, crunchy green apple, pear skin and mineral hints. Fine and smooth mousse. Alc 12%
U Mes U, 1 + 1 = 3 Reserva Organic Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature 2020
Silver, 93 points
Ripe and fresh on the nose, with notes of red apple, cream, strawberry yogurt and citrus fruit. Well structured palate. Alc 12%
Kripta, Gran Anyada Brut Nature 2013
Silver, 92 points
Truffle and mushroom aromas with notes of baked apple, curry and cream. Delicate mousse, with a spicy long finish. Alc 11.5%
