Champagne, Cava or Prosecco? Let's clear it up!

There’s nothing quite like the sound of a cork popping. But here’s a question we know is on many of your minds: what’s the difference between Champagne, Cava and Prosecco? They may all be sparkling wines, but the regions they come from, the way they’re made, and the flavours you’ll taste are surprisingly different.

Let’s start with Champagne. This can only be made in the Champagne region of France, and winemakers here have been perfecting the art of bubbles for centuries. Champagne is made by fermenting the wine twice – once to make the wine itself, and a second time it's fermented in the very same bottle you open. That second fermentation is what gives Champagne its famously tiny, elegant bubbles and its toasty, brioche-like flavours. It’s the gold standard of sparkling wine, and that’s reflected in the price.

A term you might hear about these days is “grower Champagne”. Instead of a big Champagne house buying grapes from lots of farmers, a grower Champagne comes directly from the winemaker’s own vineyards. It often means the wine has a stronger sense of place and personality – like a snapshot of a single village or family estate, rather than a carefully blended style. A brilliant example, and one of our all-time favourites is Champagne Jean Pol Hautbois, which combines citrus brightness with a delicate floral character – exactly what makes Champagne so special.

You might also notice the word "cuvée" on a Champagne label. At its simplest, it just means “blend.” A cuvée can be a mix of grapes, a mix of wines from different years, or even a special selection the winemaker is particularly proud of. In Champagne, most non-vintage bottles are cuvées, carefully crafted for balance and consistency year after year.

Now, if Champagne is France’s icon, Cava is Spain’s hidden treasure. Cava can only be made in certain regions of Spain (most famously Catalonia) and follows rules laid down under the Denominación de Origen (or DO) system – Spain’s way of protecting quality and authenticity. Like Champagne, Cava gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle, and it’s often made from local Spanish grapes like Macabeo and Xarel·lo. The style is fresh, citrusy and a little nutty, with smaller bubbles than Prosecco and incredible value for money. A wonderful example is the Avinyó Reserva Brut Cava, aged longer than most for extra depth, yet still wonderfully crisp and refreshing. This cava really is something special, after winning a Gold Medal and 95 points in the 2025 Decanter World Wine Awards, it's not just us who thinks it!

Finally, there’s Prosecco, Italy’s sparkling star. Most Prosecco comes from the Veneto and Friuli regions in the northeast, and like Spain’s DO system, Italy has its own quality guarantees: DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) and DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita). DOC covers a wider production area and ensures a good level of quality, while DOCG is reserved for the very best hillside vineyards in Prosecco’s historical heartland.

Unlike Champagne and Cava, Prosecco’s bubbles are created in large stainless-steel tanks. This method keeps the wine bright, fruity and floral, with flavours of pear, peach and white blossom. It’s lighter and more playful, and it’s also the most affordable of the three – which is why it’s a favourite for parties and aperitifs.

Prosecco, Cava and Champagne are all protected names and can only be produced in certain regions. But some producers outside the DOC region make sparkling wines or 'Spumante' under the broader DOC rules. The Di Camillo Thair Valdo Spumante comes from Abruzzo, on Italy’s Adriatic coast. It’s proof that really great Prosecco or Prosecco-Style sparkling wine isn’t limited to the north – with juicy fruit, lively fizz, and a fresh, easy-drinking style that makes it instantly likeable.

So which should you choose? If you want luxury and complexity, Champagne will never let you down. If you want outstanding value with a touch of Spanish flair, Cava is your bottle. And if you want something light-hearted and fruity, Prosecco will always deliver. At the end of the day, sparkling wine is about joy – whether that joy comes with fine French bubbles or a fun Italian fizz is up to you.