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cava

cava; Spanish sparkling wine

noun KAH-bah Rare
Food & Drink Drinks

Origin: From Spanish cavar (to dig), referring to the underground cellars where it matures.

Also means

wine cellar

Usage Note

Cava primarily refers to Spanish sparkling wine made by the traditional method, produced mainly in Catalonia. As a wine term it is masculine (el cava), but the same word in its literal sense of 'cellar' or 'wine vault' is feminine (la cava). A learner asking for sparkling wine in Spain should say un cava, not champán (which implies French Champagne).

Examples

"Brindamos con cava en la celebración."

Natural Translation

We toasted with cava at the celebration.

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