Continuing our search for the capital's best vino.
Background
This basement bodega-style wine bar in central London is a guaranteed ‘muy bien’. You can feel the fun and love from the Blackfriars pavement. Copa de Cava is a wine bar dedicated to the Spanish sparkling wine. If you thought Cava was just a cheap quaff, head down and get into the Spanish vibe with fizz and tapas. Cava is the ‘Metodo Tradicionel’ sparkling wine of the Penedés region and the fun fuel of Barcelona.
Owners
Señor cool, Richard Bigg, is a missionary for Spanish wine in London — first Sherry, now Cava. His slick yet relaxed Camino restaurants and bars manage to capture the spirit of Spain and bring it to London without crazy prices or any stiff edge.
Top wine pick
Thirty five Cavas should keep any wine geek happy. Vilarnau Rosado is a deep pink, appealing fizz at £5.50. Gramona Brut Vintage Gran Reserva is a superb quality sip at £8 a glass. There are Cava cocktails and Spanish beers as well as still wines.
Food
Superb tapas and typical Spanish dishes. Refined and evolved without being pretentious, the menu ranges from simple but delicious pa amb tomaqet at £3 — crunchy, garlicky tomato on bread — to an indulgent, Cava matching tasting menu at £60 per person.
Who to take
Fizz fiends. Spaniards in need of a taste of home. Inexpensive lunch after visiting St Paul’s Catherdral. Lawyers from Temple. Quick, inexpensive date.
The USP
Fantastic range of Cavas. Excellent, simple, delicious food.
Any downsides?
Open only in evenings and often booked up for parties (the main restaurant is open upstairs). Tucked away location — check the map.
Copa de Cava, 33 Blackfriars Lane, London EC4V 6EP, @CopadeCava, Facebook
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