8. Cava Flashcards
What is the name of the industry body that oversees Cava production?
Consejo Regulador del Cava
What are the three traditional varieties used in Cava production?
1) Macabeo
2) Xarel-lo
3) Parellada
What international variety is increasingly used?
Chardonnay
In which region is most fruit for Cava grown and most Cava produced?
Penedes, Cataluna
What is the climate of Penedes?
Mediterranean
Up to what altitude are vines planted in Penedes?
200-300m and as high as 700-800m
What are the two general soil types of Penedes?
1) Alluvial soils and clay at lower altitudes
2) Stony clay and granite at higher altitudes
What makes Penedes soil types suitable for viticulture? (3)
Low in nutrients
Good drainage
Adequate water retention
What is the climate of Lleida/Lerida?
Mediterranean near the coast with continental influences inland.
What has allowed the former semi-desert region of Lleide/Lerida to grown grapes?
An irrigation system with water from the Pyrenees.
What is the climate of Tarragona?
Mediterranean
What is the main grape variety planted in Tarragona?
Macabeo.
What are the four black grape varieties used in Cava production?
1) Garnacha Tinta
2) Trepat
3) Pinot Noir
4) Monastrell
At what altitude is Macabeo typically planted?
100-300m
When does Macabeo bud?
Late
Which of the local varieties is picked first?
Macabeo
What is Macabeo susceptible to? (2)
1) Botrytis
2) Bacterial blight
What is the most widely planted grape variety for Cava?
Macabeo
At what altitude is Xarel-lo typically planted?
0-400m
When does Xarel-lo bud and ripen?
Mid-budding & mid-ripening
What is Xarel-lo susceptible to? (2)
1) Powdery mildew
2) Downy mildew
At what altitude is Parellada typically planted?
~500m
What is the latest ripening local variety?
Parellada
What is the lowest yielding local variety?
Parellada
When does Parellada bud?
Early
When does Parellada ripen?
Late