7. Cava Flashcards
What 2 companies are the biggest producers of Cava today?
Freixenet and Codorniu
What are key years in the development of Cava?
1972 - Cava becomes a protected denomination for sparkling wines made by traditional method
1986 - Spain joins EU and Cava recognized as a quality sparkling wine produced in specific regions
1989 - EU gives Cava a PDO status named after a wine instead of a place.
What are the 3 traditional varietals used to make Cava? What 4th varietal is increasingly being used?
Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada.
Chardonnay
What is unusual about the Cava PDO compared to other PDOs?
Grapes can be sourced from 10 different unconnected regions.
Where are most grapes for Cava grown and produced?
Penedes in Cataluna - more than 95%
What are the 3 most important geographic areas for Cava production in Cataluna?
- Penedes (>95% of Cava grown/produced)
- Lleida
- Tarragona
Describe the climate of Penedes and explain how it influences the wines made from this region?
- Predominately Mediterranean climate
- bright, sunny summers, mild winters, moderate rainfall spread through the year.
- Vineyards range from the coast to higher altitudes inland (mainly 200-300m, but a minority up to 700-800m)
- Summer nights chilly - produce grapes with more intense flavors and higher acidity than grapes grown at lower altitudes.
What type of soils are found in Penedes?
Vary from alluvial and clay at lower altitudes to stony clay and granite sub-soils at higher altitudes. All relatively poor in nutrients w/ adequate drainage and water retention - suitable for viticulture.
How do wines made from grapes grown in higher altitude vineyards compare to those grown closer to sea level?
They have more flavor and higher acidity than grapes grown closer to sea level - gives them the ability to age well in bottle.
Discuss the terrain and climate of Lleida province and how it influences wines from this region
- The land in this province rises up into the mountains, including both slopes and a high plain (100-700m).
- Mediterranean climate at lower levels w/ continental influences as altitude increases.
- Irrigation system w/ water from Pyrenees has turned former desert into productive vineyard land. Also protects from spring frosts.
- Riper fruit flavors from grapes at lower altitude; fresher flavors & high acidity - grapes from high altitude
Why is Lleida Province important?
For Raimat Estate - produces mainly still wines. Largest single-vineyard estate owned by 1 family in Spain - the Raventos, who also own Cordorniu.
What type of grapes/wines are typically grown/made in Tarragona province?
Simple wines, Macabeo-dominated, for early drinking. Within Conca de Barbera province is Trepat, the black varietal increasingly valued for Cava Rosado.
Why is Rioja well-suited for sparkling wines? What are the primary varietals grown that are used for sparkling wines here?
Grapes grown at higher altitudes (e.g. Rioja Alta, 425m) can have higher acidity.
Macabeo (Viura locally) and Chardonnay. Macabeo ripens much later here than in Penedes, where typically grown at lower altitude.
Discuss the characteristics of Macabeo and what it contributes to Cava wines.
- Makes up 36% of vineyards registered for Cava.
- Typically planted at 100-300 m in Penedes, higher in Rioja and Lleida.
- Late budding (less risk of spring frost), high yielding, picked 1st of local varieties.
- Susceptible to botrytis bunch rot, bacterial blight (latter- reduces yields, no cure).
- Light intensity apple and lemon.
- In areas other than Cataluna, Macabeo (Viura in Rioja) is only Spanish indigenous white grape planted.
- Occasionally used for single variety Cava, but more often blended with Chardonnay.
Discuss the characteristics of Xarel-lo and what it contributes to Cava wines.
- 25% of vineyards
- planted from 0-400m in Penedes.
- Indigenous to Cataluna.
- Mid-budding (prone to spring frosts) and ripening.
- Susceptible to powdery/downy mildew, otherwise good disease resistance.
- Gives greengage and gooseberry notes; herbal (fennel) - set it apart from other varieties.
- Can be earthy when overripe.
- Reasonable affinity with oak.
Discuss the characteristics of Parellada and what it contributes to Cava wines.
- 21% of vineyards;
- planted on higher (e.g. 500m) sites in Penedes.
- Indigenous to Cataluna.
- Lowest yielding but latest ripening of 3 local varieties.
- Best vineyards planted at high altitudes - necessary to give long ripening season to reach flavor maturity without excessive potential alcohol.
- Adds finesse and floral notes.
- Early budding - prone to spring frosts.
- Susceptible to powdery mildew.
What are the 3 primary varieties used for Cava Rosado and what does each contribute to the wine?
- Garnacha Tinto - contributes ripe red fruit and spicy notes; used less and less because of tendency to oxidize.
- Trepat - strawberry flavors, high acidity
- Pinot Noir - often also made into Blanc de Noirs
What 2 common Spanish red varieties are rarely used or not permitted for Cava production
- Monastrell
2. Tempranillo
