Comparison
Prosecco vs Cava
Two affordable sparkling wines — which is drier, and which is fruitier?
The short answer
The main differences: Cava has more savoury character; Prosecco has more floral character; Cava has more earthy character.
Where they genuinely differ
Only differences large enough to notice in the glass are listed here. A gap of half a point on a five-point scale is noise, and WineHQ does not dress it up as a finding.
Savoury character
Clear differenceNon-fruit, umami-adjacent character: meat, leather, olive, soy, broth, cured notes. Often increases with age.
Cava is more savoury: medium-plus against low.
Floral character
Clear differenceBlossom, rose, violet, elderflower, acacia and related aromatic notes.
Prosecco is more floral: medium-plus against low.
Earthy character
Clear differenceForest floor, mushroom, wet stone, clay and undergrowth notes. Frequently, though not exclusively, associated with cooler and more traditional styles.
Cava is earthier: medium against low.
Acidity
Clear differenceTotal perceived acidity. Rises in cooler climates and with earlier picking; falls with heat and ripeness.
Cava is fresher and more acidic: medium-plus against medium.
Body
Clear differenceThe overall weight and viscosity of the wine in the mouth — a composite of alcohol, sugar, extract and glycerol.
Cava is fuller and richer: medium against low-medium.
Fruit intensity
Clear differenceHow loudly the fruit flavours speak, independent of whether they are ripe or tart.
Prosecco is fruitier: medium-plus against medium.
Where they are much the same
Just as useful: knowing which parts of the choice do not matter.
- Sweetness: Similar — both low-medium.
- Tannin: Similar — both low.
- Alcohol: Similar — both medium.
- Herbal / green character: Similar — both low.
- Spice: Similar — both low.
Full side by side
| Dimension | Prosecco | Cava |
|---|---|---|
| Savoury character | low (1/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) |
| Floral character | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | low (1/5) |
| Earthy character | low (1/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Acidity | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to high (4/5) |
| Body | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Fruit intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Aromatic intensity | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Oak influence | low (1/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to low-medium (2/5) |
| Carbonation | typically medium-plus, ranging from medium to medium-plus (4/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Texture | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium-plus (3/5) |
| Sweetness | typically low-medium, ranging from low to medium (2/5) | typically low-medium, ranging from low to low-medium (2/5) |
| Tannin | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Alcohol | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) | typically medium, ranging from low-medium to medium (3/5) |
| Herbal / green character | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Spice | low (1/5) | low (1/5) |
| Perceived freshness | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) | typically high, ranging from medium-plus to high (5/5) |
| Serve at | 6–8°C | 7–10°C |
| Typical flavours | green apple, white peach, pear, honeysuckle, melon | green apple, lemon, almond, bread dough, fennel |
Values are typical points within each wine’s range. Both wines vary — see the individual pages for how much.
Read more
Style
Prosecco
Tank-method sparkling wine from Glera: floral, pear-scented and fresh, with none of Champagne’s bready character — by design.
Style
Cava
Spain’s traditional-method sparkling wine: bottle-fermented and lees-aged like Champagne, at a fraction of the price.
Comparison
Champagne vs Prosecco
Why does Champagne taste of bread and Prosecco taste of pears?
Comparison
Champagne vs Cava
Same method, very different price — what are you actually paying for?
Comparison
Franciacorta vs Prosecco
Italy makes both. Why is one three times the price?