Is cava like cheap Champagne?

It's made the same way and often has a similar dry, toasty style for a lot less money. The grapes are different, so it tastes a bit earthier and less rich.

Which is better for a mimosa?

Either works. Prosecco makes a softer, fruitier mimosa; dry cava keeps it crisper. Plenty of brunch spots use cava because it's dry and affordable.

Cava vs Prosecco: what's the difference?

Cava is Spanish sparkling wine made the same way as Champagne, so it's drier and a bit toasty, while Prosecco is Italian, fruitier and softer, with lighter bubbles.

Cava

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Dry, crisp and a little toasty, Champagne's thrifty Spanish cousin.

Prosecco

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Fruity, floral and frothy, soft and easy.

The real difference

Cava comes mostly from Catalonia, made from Spanish grapes, and gets its bubbles from a second fermentation in the bottle, like Champagne. Prosecco is made from the Glera grape in northeast Italy and fermented in big tanks, which keeps it fresh and fruity. Cava tends to be drier and earthier.

Side by side

CavaProsecco

FromSpain, mostly CataloniaNortheast Italy

Bubbles madeIn each bottleIn big tanks

TastesDry, citrusy, a little toastyFruity, floral, softer

Which to order

Order cava if you want dry, Champagne-style bubbles for less money.
Order Prosecco if you want fruity, gentle bubbles that go down easy.

Quick questions

Is cava like cheap Champagne?: It's made the same way and often has a similar dry, toasty style for a lot less money. The grapes are different, so it tastes a bit earthier and less rich.
Which is better for a mimosa?: Either works. Prosecco makes a softer, fruitier mimosa; dry cava keeps it crisper. Plenty of brunch spots use cava because it's dry and affordable.