ArtCava: A Boutique Wine-Tasting Experience Just Outside Barcelona
- Sarah Schoening
- Oct 3, 2024
- 3 min read
If you're looking for a truly unique wine-tasting experience near Barcelona, ArtCava should be at the top of your list. Just 30 minutes from the city by car, this small, boutique winery offers an intimate glimpse into the world of cava production, with hands-on activities that make it one of the most memorable wine experiences we’ve had. Not only is the cava delicious, but the team at Artcava makes you feel right at home, welcoming guests with warm hospitality and a personal touch that’s hard to find elsewhere.
What to Expect
ArtCava is run by a small, passionate team who are dedicated to creating high-quality cava. Producing only 18,000 bottles a year, it’s a boutique operation where every bottle receives hands-on care. It’s this personal touch that sets Artcava apart from larger, commercial wineries.
The experience begins with a tour of the winery, where we learned about the history of cava and the winery itself, followed by tastings of four different types of cava, aged between 10 months and 5 years. But the real highlight? We got to bottle our very own cava—complete with aprons and hairnets!
What even is Cava?
Cava is a sparkling wine that originates from Spain, primarily produced in the Catalonia region, where ArtCava is located. (Think the Spanish version of Champagne or Prosecco, but in our opinion, better.)
Cava comes in different styles, ranging from dry to sweet, depending on the level of sugar added during the production process. The bubbles in cava are fine and elegant, and the flavors can vary from fresh and fruity to rich and complex, depending on how long it's aged. It's an incredibly versatile drink that can be popped for special occasions or served alongside a casual meal. It's much more affordable than its French cousin, Champagne, with just as much quality and complexity.
How Cava is Made: From Grape to Bottle
Fermentation and Storage: After the first fermentation in stainless steel tanks, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. The bottles are stored horizontally at a constant temperature of 18°C for at least 9 months for basic cava and up to 30 months or more for Gran Reserva cava. The longer the aging, the more complex and refined the flavors become.
Riddling (Removing Sediment): After aging, the bottles are placed at an angle and rotated slightly every day in a process known as riddling. This helps sediment (dead yeast cells) settle in the neck of the bottle.
Freezing the Neck: Once the sediment has gathered in the neck of the bottle, it’s time for disgorging. The neck is submerged in a freezing solution, which causes the sediment to freeze into a solid plug.
Disgorging and Recorking: The frozen plug is then removed, and the bottle is quickly recorked to preserve the bubbles.
Cleaning and Labeling: Finally, the bottle is cleaned, inspected for clarity, and labeled, ready to be enjoyed. At Artcava, we were guided through each of these steps and even got to bottle, clean, and label our own personalized cava to take home!
Why Visit ArtCava?
For just €60 (or €95 with transportation), the Artcava experience offers incredible value for wine lovers and travelers alike. You get to tour the vineyard, taste four distinct cavas, and immerse yourself in the bottling process—something you won’t find at most wineries. The small, intimate nature of Artcava, combined with the kindness of the team, makes it feel like you're part of the family. Plus, there’s something really special about taking home a bottle of cava that you bottled yourself.
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