Cava
DO since 1986 · traditional method
Cava is a Spanish DO for sparkling wine made by the traditional method, mainly in Catalonia but also in the Ebro valley, Almendralejo and Requena zones.1,2 Cava de Guarda needs at least 9 months on lees; Guarda Superior wines need 18 to 36 months, organic vineyards and a vintage on the label.1
Status
According to its specification (pliego de condiciones), the Cava DO was consolidated in early 1986 and recognised at EU level in 1989.1 The latest normal amendment, published in the BOE on 20 January 2026, changed the wording on the location of Paraje Calificado sites and the rules for "Elaborador Integral" producers.3
Method
Cava is made by the traditional method (método tradicional), with the second fermentation in the bottle.1 See traditional method.
Zones
Cava is not one continuous area. After the 2020-21 reform it is organised into zones and subzones.1,2
| Zone | Subzones |
|---|---|
| Comtats de Barcelona | Valls d'Anoia-Foix, Serra de Mar, Conca del Gaià, Serra de Prades, Pla de Ponent |
| Valle del Ebro | Alto Ebro, Valle del Cierzo |
| Viñedos de Almendralejo | None |
| Requena | None |
The 2021 press release used "Levante" as a provisional name for the Requena zone.2
Ageing categories
Ageing is counted in the bottle, from tirage to disgorgement.1
| Category | Minimum on lees | Other key rules |
|---|---|---|
| Cava de Guarda | 9 months | |
| Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva | 18 months | Organic, vintage on label |
| Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva | 30 months | Organic, vintage; Brut Nature, Extra Brut or Brut only |
| Cava de Paraje Calificado | 36 months | Organic, vintage; max 8,000 kg/ha; hand harvest; Brut Nature, Extra Brut or Brut only |
Source for the table: pliego.1
All Guarda Superior wines (Reserva, Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado) must come from organic vineyards, certified from the 2025 harvest. Vines must be at least 10 years old, the yield is capped at 10,000 kg/ha, tirage may not start before 1 January after the harvest, and the vintage must appear on the label.1,2 Paraje Calificado adds a lower yield of 8,000 kg/ha and hand harvesting.1 See ageing on lees and vintage sparkling wine.
Grapes
| Colour | Authorised varieties |
|---|---|
| White | Macabeo (Viura), Xarel·lo, Parellada, Malvasía (Subirat Parent), Chardonnay |
| Red | Garnacha tinta, Monastrell, Pinot Noir, Trepat |
The base wine for rosé Cava must contain at least 25% red grapes.1 See rosé sparkling wine.
Sweetness
Permitted terms are Brut Nature, Extra brut, Brut, Extra seco, Seco, Semiseco and Dulce. Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado are limited to Brut Nature, Extra Brut and Brut.1 See sugar scale.
Yield
The general maximum is 12,000 kg/ha, equal to 80 hl/ha.1
Production in 2025
The Consejo Regulador reported 190,010,000 bottles sold in 2025, 12.88% fewer than in 2024. By category: Guarda 88.05%, Reserva 9.72%, Gran Reserva 2.22% and Paraje Calificado 0.02% (31,000 bottles).4 The DO had 37,299 ha of registered vineyards and 330 wineries: 191 producers and 139 integral producers.4
See also
Sources
- Ministerio de Agricultura, Pesca y Alimentación (MAPA). Pliego de condiciones DOP Cava
- Consejo Regulador DO Cava. The BOE certifies the strict new zoning and segmentation of the Cava DO (press release) (2021-06-15)
- Resolución de 9 de enero de 2026 ... modificación normal del pliego de condiciones de la DOP Cava (BOE núm. 18) (2026-01-20)
- Consejo Regulador DO Cava. Resumen datos económicos 2025 DO Cava (2026)
Facts checked on 2026-10-19