Aqua to open London’s largest cava bar

Spanish restaurant Aqua Nueva in Oxford Circus is to open London’s largest cava bar next month.

Aqua Nueva

The Aqua Nueva Cava Bar, which opens on 4 March, will offer 15 different cavas by the glass and bottle, alongside a selection of tapas.

Inspired by the rising popularity of the aperitivo hour in London, the restaurant aims to educate guests about the sparkling wine style, made predominantly in Catalonia in northeastern Spain.

Among the sparklers in the line-up are Kripta Gran Reserva, made from old vine Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo from Penedès, and the certified organic Alta Alella Laieta.

Kripta Gran Reserva will be one of 15 cavas on sale at Aqua Nueva

Also headlining are Canals Nadal Brut Reserva, Augusti Torello Grand Reserva, Heredad Brut Reserva, Conde de Caralt Rosado and Privat Opus Evolutium.

In addition, the bar will serve Castillo Perelada flights, offering a trio of flutes: Castillo Perelada Brut Reserva, Brut Rosado and top blend Gran Claustro 2008, for £19.

To highlight cava’s food matching capabilities, head chef Alberto Hernandez will whip up a daily tapas menu featuring dishes like seafood tartar with ajo blanco, and grilled cuttlefish with squid ink and alioli.

Meanwhile. head Sommelier Zsolt Kismodi will host monthly Castillo Perelada masterclasses exploring the history of cava, the grapes involved in cava production and the ageing process for vintage cava.

The Cava Bar will be open Monday through Saturday from 6-11pm with a first come first served seating arrangement at the bar.

Aqua Neuva is part of Aqua London, the first project outside China for the Aqua restaurant group, which also includes Japanese restaurant Aqua Kyoto and cocktail bar Aqua Spirit.

Founded by former lawyer David Yeo, the Aqua group owns fourteen venues in China, including Agua in Beijing and the Michelin-starred Hutong in Hong Kong.