Cava and gastronomy: classic Spanish and international pairings that work beautifully all around the world

You’re probably well aware that Cava is much more than just a wine for celebrations. The true magic happens when you are enjoying a meal: as an accompaniment to traditional dishes or, indeed, recipes from around the world, this Spanish sparkling wine enhances any flavour with its crisp freshness. Cava’s bubbles cleanse the palate, while its versatility makes it the ideal companion for both paella and sushi. Here are the keys to enjoying Cava beyond toasting – paired with a wide variety of gastronomic delights.

Cava - Mediterranean sparkle at the table

This quality sparkling wine from the Mediterranean, always made using the meticulous traditional method and boasting more than 150 years of history, is now an international benchmark, present in more than 100 countries. Its century-plus of excellence has made Cava one of the great sparkling wines of the world.

Although Cava is often associated with celebrations, its real allure shows when paired with food, when you drink it with an everyday meal. As food writer Fiona Beckett explains, the uniqueness of Cava lies in its "maturity and flavour": it comes from a warmer climate than other sparkling wines, requires little or no sugar dosage and, as a result, offers drier and more vibrant wines, capable of bringing freshness and lightness to every dish. Cava is the lustrous sparkle that transforms the everyday into the extraordinary and assimilates naturally into the gastronomy of any culture.

Cava - the gastronomic wine par excellence

You don't need to be an expert to enjoy Cava. It is a natural companion for food at any time, enhancing everything from a simple appetiser to a full, complex menu. This versatility is the basis of its charm, which each style offering distinct nuances.

A good way to discover this wine is to start with a glass of Cava de Guarda. Aged for at least nine months, it is light, fruity and citrusy, with lively bubbles that refresh the palate. The best way to whet your appetite, paired with appetisers, salads or seafood.

Moving on, Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva (aged for at least 18 months) offers greater depth, with notes of ripe fruit, aniseed and toasted hints. It pairs perfectly with richer dishes and more intense flavours.

Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva, aged for over 30 months in the bottle, displays complex aromas and very fine bubbles. This wine can be matched with both haute cuisine and more everyday recipes, such as chicken or mushroom stew, or filled pasta. A surprising Cava, this is both elegant in a gastronomic menu and approachable with normal dishes.

The finest of the range, Cava de Guarda Superior Paraje Calificado, from a single vineyard and aged for over 36 months, represents the ultimate expression of the territory and the excellence of the D.O. Cava.

Furthermore, depending on its sugar content, Cava can range from a dry and vibrant Brut Nature to a sweet and smooth Dulce, further expanding its pairing possibilities.

Traditional Mediterranean dishes that shine with Cava

From the Mediterranean, the geographical origin of Cava and of many emblematic Spanish dishes, come gastronomic pairings that pay tribute to this shared identity.

Iberian ham

One of the greatest delicacies in Spanish cuisine, the oily, complex texture of jamón ibérico calls for a wine with structure, such as a Cava de Guarda Superior Gran Reserva, which provides the necessary finesse and enhances the cured meat’s nuances without masking them. A classic, accessible and always gratifying pairing. More details on matching Iberian ham with Cava here.

Spanish omelette

Humble and emblematic, the tortilla de patata (potato omelette) is transformed into a gastronomic delight paired with a Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva. The wine’s 18 months of ageing bring freshness and toasted notes that balance the sweetness of the caramelised onion and the smoothness of the egg.

Seafood paella

Seafood paella is one of the great icons of Spanish cuisine. Cava, with its freshness and structure, accompanies the seafood flavours and enhances the sofrito (sautéed vegetable base) and socarrat (crispy rice that has stuck to the pan). A Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva or Gran Reserva enhances your enjoyment of the paella from the first mouthful until the last. And, of course, you also can try the countless other rice dishes that form part of Spanish gastronomy: Cava will always enrich your dining experience.

Appetisers and tapas

Whether you call them tapas, pintxos or appetisers, Cava is the best accompaniment to whet your appetite. A Cava de Guarda brings aromas of white flowers and green apple, with lively bubbles that pair harmoniously with olives, anchovies in vinegar and grilled prawns alike. Whether it's an informal aperitif or a more sophisticated occasion, the crispness of the wine’s bubbles will make every bite even more enjoyable.

Cava and world cuisines: a universal wine

The superb qualities of Cava transcend borders and combine with cuisines from around the world as a model multicultural match.

Mexico: tacos al pastor

Tacos al pastor combine corn tortillas, marinated pork and a hint of spice that is perfectly balanced by a Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva, whose crisp acidity and fine bubbles enhance the dish’s nuances.

Peru: causa limeña

Chicken causa limeña is a cold dish made with potato, chilli, chicken and mayonnaise, which is exalted by a Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva: its crispness and bubbles contrast with the creaminess of the recipe and make it even more delicious.

Japan: sushi and tempura

A light, citrusy Cava de Guarda goes beautifully with sushi because it complements the freshness of the raw fish and enhances the delicacy of the rice. With tempura, the crisp bubbles accompany the fried food without overwhelming it. And if you want to go further, we can suggest other pairings with Japanese recipes designed for lovers of this cuisine.

Crab cake

Crab cake, very popular on the east coast of the United States, pairs extremely well with a Cava de Guarda Superior Reserva. The bubbles serve to cleanse the palate and heighten the marine intensity of the dish, creating a memorable contrast.

Origin and values present in every glass of Cava

The D.O. Cava is the only Spanish designation of origin exclusively dedicated to sparkling wines made using the traditional method. With more than 38,000 hectares of vineyards and 6,800 winegrowers, it exports 70% of its production to more than 100 countries, ranking among the world's great sparkling wines.

Su éxito descansa en el concepto de lujo accesible: calidad y elegancia sin elitismo, respeto por su origen mediterráneo y gran vocación internacional. El método tradicional, con segunda fermentación en botella, aporta una burbuja integrada y complejidad aromática que distinguen al Cava en cualquiera de sus categorías.

El compromiso con la sostenibilidad también forma parte de su identidad. La Denominación de origen impulsa la viticultura ecológica, la gestión responsable de los recursos y el uso de materiales reciclables. Desde 2025, todos los Cavas de Guarda Superior ya son 100 % orgánicos, un hito histórico que refuerza la visión de un vino que honra su tradición y cuida el futuro.

Cava: más que un brindis

El Cava es la chispa que conecta pasado y presente, Mediterráneo y mundo. Versátil y cercano, acompaña con la misma gracia una tortilla de patatas que unos tacos al pastor, siempre realzando los sabores y sumando frescura.

Abrir una botella de Cava es redescubrir, viajar, compartir y multiplicar el placer de la mesa. Y lo más importante: no hace falta esperar a la ocasión perfecta para disfrutarlo. Tampoco existe una única manera correcta de hacerlo: lo esencial es servirlo a la temperatura adecuada y en la copa apropiada. Para que cada sorbo exprese todo su carácter, puedes consultar cómo servir una copa de Cava. ¡Salud!