Spanish Cava

Cava is Spain's sparkling wine, a Champagne-like wine but with its own unique style. It is made in the same manner as Champagne, but often uses different varietals such as Macabeo, Paralleda, and Xarello. Because the regions of Spain that make Cava usually get more sunshine than in the Champagne region, Cavas are often softer with riper fruit flavours. There is much less of that yeasty Champagne flavor. Plus, Cavas are often much less expensive than Champagnes. I am a big fan of Cavas.

"Cava" is the Catalan word for "cellar." But, I was a bit shocked this morning to find out that the meaning of "cava" is very different in Arabic.

I was reading "Dogs of God: Columbus, the Inquisition, and the Defeat of the Moors" by James Reston. (An excellent history BTW). And it mentioned that "cava" in Arabic means "whore."

So, I wonder how that affects sales of Cava in Arabic regions. Though there are restrictions on alcohol in general in Arabic countries, I would assume that "Cava", because of its meaning, might be especially out of favor. Plus, in Arabic communities in other regions, I would suspect that Cava sales are not especially high. It would be interesting to delve deeper into this subject, to see what effect the meaning of Cava does have.