We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Best cava to buy, according to our experts
Pick up a champagne dupe from just £5.49
Tested by JoJo AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
While champagne, prosecco, or even homegrown English sparkling wine are first to spring to mind when thinking fizz, this winter we’re championing cava as a top choice when entertaining.
The experts at the GHI have been busy trying a range of bottles to find the best for celebrating all of life's happy occasions. You'll find their top picks at a glance below but keep scrolling to read their reviews, along with everything you need to know about this often under-appreciated fizz.
Best cava 2024
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
What is cava?
Cava is made in the “traditional method”, whereby the second fermentation occurs in the bottle (the same way champagne is made). This results in more complex flavours developing, such as brioche, toast and nuts. Unlike champagne, grape varieties are a little more unique, made with the likes of Spain’s indigenous macabeo, xarel-lo, and parellada, setting cava apart from the crowd.
Looking to stock up ahead of a party or wedding? Cava is an excellent value alternative to champagne, with our expert-approved bottles starting at just £5.49 (or less if you’re looking to buy six or more). If you have a little more to spend, reserva and gran reserva bottles are aged for a little longer than standard (at least 15 and 30 months respectively, versus just nine months for a traditional bottle). This adds further depth and complexity to the palate, but even then, you’ll struggle to spend more than £15 a bottle.
How we test cava
The Good Housekeeping Institute tried 26 bottles of cava, from supermarkets and the leading brands. Each was chilled and served blind, to avoid brand bias. Testers were looking for crisp, clean well-balanced examples with notes of apple, citrus and brioche.
These are the bottles they'll be popping this barbecue season...
Score: 89/100
Our winning cava is as close as you’ll come to that just-landed-on-Spanish-soil feeling (minus the air miles). It’s incredibly aromatic, with tart gooseberries, lemon peel, and a hint of honeydew melon at the fore. Lingering acidity makes it perfect for pairing with buttery manchego and Manzanilla olives for your next picky tea.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 87/100
Made exclusively for Waitrose, this easy-drinking fizz comes from one of Spain’s most esteemed cava producers. It opens with delicate citrus, followed by toasted brioche and a hint of dried apricot sweetness, with light, lingering bubbles. A stellar aperitif for all seasons.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11% |
Score: 86/100
Lidl can always be relied upon for a bargain bottle of wine, and this cava is certainly no exception. Expect a crowd-pleasing combination of lemon drops, white blossom, and refreshing acidity that makes for effortlessly easy drinking – at that price, there's no reason not to pop another bottle.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 83/100
Strawberries and raspberries are unsurprisingly the standout element in this bright and fresh pink fizz, underscored by a touch of peach. Team with platters of jamon, tuna steak or fruity berry desserts.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 82/100
Scoring highly with our panel, Asda’s zingy cava excelled with aromatic lemon zest, peach and pear on the nose, moving towards light grapefruit and blossom on the palate. Full, frothy bubbles dissipate quickly, and overall testers found it refreshing and easy drinking.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 12% |
Score: 78/100
Made exclusively from the macabeo grape, Co-op's cava is deliciously rich and creamy. You can expect layers of toasted brioche alongside tropical fruit and lemon shortbread, and testers enjoyed the smooth, clean finish and gentle bubbles.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 77/100
Save the pennies with Aldi’s inexpensive, expert-approved fizz. While it’s not the most aromatic on test, the panel found the simple flavours — which include delicate blossom, lemon and stone fruit — refreshing and well-balanced.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 76/100
Sourdough bursts out of the glass here, with fruitier elements following on the palate — think fig, peach and orchard fruit. Made with the classic combination of xarel-lo, macabeo and parellada grapes, it has resulted in a well-rounded drop with plentiful bubbles.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 76/100
Freixenet is one of the most well-known brands in the world of cava, and its recognisable black bottle scored well with the panel. You can expect a crisp, fruity profile, with a saline edge and bright citrus. Those with a sweet tooth will also enjoy Freixenet’s Ice Cuvée Especial Semi Seco, which is designed to be enjoyed over ice.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 76/100
Although better known for its rioja, Cune is also a safe bet when it comes to a clean, crisp Spanish fizz. This one's exclusive to Majestic, with lemon sherbet dominating the palate, and a little supporting minerality that will cut through rich food.
Deal: Buy six or more and save £5, making this £10 a bottle
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 76/100
Oh-so-drinkable, Segura’s blush has an intense fruitiness courtesy of strawberries, gooseberry and red currants, with a touch of uplifting citrus to boot. It would make an excellent aperitif, while also pairing well with meaty fish and Mediterranean roasted veg.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 12% |
Score: 74/100
Our expert panel praised the “complex dried fruit flavour,” “lingering citrus,” and “toasted notes” on display in this Sainsbury’s cava. Serve chilled, or follow the ratio of three parts cava, two parts limoncello, and one part soda for a refreshing spritz.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Score: 72/100
Since 1872, Cordinui has continued its original blend of three traditional grape varieties – Macabeo, Xarel.lo and Parellada – to make its award-winning cava; as they say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Elegant and crisp, our testers loved the balance of ripe apricot, honey sweetness, and zippy sherbert lemon on the finish.
Key specifications
| Volume | 75cl |
|---|---|
| ABV | 11.5% |
Stacey looks after all food and drink reviews — from coffee pods and veg boxes, to natural wine and tequila. Stacey is also founder of Crummbs, where she’s written nearly 2,000 restaurant and hotel reviews since 2013. Prior to this, Stacey wrote hundreds of in-depth buying guides for the Independent, i newspaper and BBC Good Food, as well as reviewing restaurants and interviewing celebrities in her column at Balance Magazine. Stacey has also appeared in BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Blood, Sweat & Takeaways, where she investigated South East Asia's food production industry, appearing on both Newsnight and BBC World Service to share her findings. Regularly checking out the latest restaurants, bars and product launches, Stacey also loves experimenting with recipes at home, and is a WSET-certified wine and spirits expert, with over 10 years of experience in the business. You can follow Stacey on Instagram @crummbs_uk
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
16 best wine gifts to shop in 2025
9 best pink gins to try in 2025
Best gin gift sets for every occasion
12 best sakés for sipping this summer
