Spanish word

cava

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈkaβa/

Meaning

  • masculine nounsparkling wine

Example

Hoy abrimos una botella de cava.

Today we opened a bottle of sparkling wine.

Illustration for cava (sparkling wine)

More examples

¿Quieres una copa de cava para celebrar?

Do you want a glass of sparkling wine to celebrate?

Core concept

Rows of bottles resting in underground cellar racks.

Common phrases

  • una botella de cava

    a bottle of sparkling wine

  • una copa de cava

    a glass of sparkling wine

  • brindar con cava

    toast with sparkling wine

Similar words

vino espumoso: Any wine that displays effervescence and noticeable bubbles, irrespective of origin.
champán: Prestigious sparkling wine made in France's Champagne region following strict traditional methods.
vino espumante: Wine with effervescence from natural or added carbonation, producing a distinctly fizzy character.

Definition in Spanish

Se usa para el vino espumoso originario de España, frecuentemente elaborado en la región catalana y comercializado bajo la denominación Cava.

Word origin

The word comes from Catalan cava 'cellar' (from Latin cavea 'hollow') and names the sparkling wine produced and matured in those storage caves in Catalonia.

Usage tips

  • Bottles typically display the denomination Cava and often the producing region, which helps identify Spanish origin and distinguish it from Champagne in English conversation.

Other meanings

  • cavanoun

Opposites

  • vino tranquilostill winenoun

Word lists with this word