Cava Flashcards
Word “Cava” introduced informally when
1960s
Cava enshrined in Spanish law when
1972
95% of grapes for Cava grown where
Penedes in Cataluna
Other areas for Cava grapes
parts of Rioja
Valencia
Climate in Penedes
Mediterranean
Bright sunny summer
Mild winter
Moderate rainfall
Altitude in Penedes
200-300m
Minority are at 700-800m
High-altitude vineyards in Penedes
in the minority
700-800m
summer nights are chilly
grapes w/ intense flavour and higher acid than at lower altitudes
Macabeo at altitude vs lower altitude
Higher altitude: more flavour, higher acid, ageworthy
Lower altitude: less of those things
Principal towns (2) for Cava in Penedes
San Sadurni d’Anoia (key producers here)
Vilafranca del Penedes (Consejo HQ)
What is Raimat estate?
2,200ha vyd
Owned by Raventos family, Codorniu
Chardonnay
It’s in Lleida province
Climate in Lleida province
Medietrranean at lower levels
Contenintal at high altitudes
100-700m altitude
Big important estate in Lleida province?
Raimat estate
Owned by Raventos family (Codorniu)
Tarragona province
Low-lying, undulating hills
Mediterranean climate
Simply wines, Macabeo, early drinking
Where is the home of Trepat?
Conca de Barbera (within Tarragona province)
Trepat used for Cava Rosado
What is Trepat used for?
Cava Rosado
Rioja: what role do the Cantabrian mountains play?
Protect region from excessive rainfall from Atlantic
Rioja sparkling: better high or low altitude?
Higher altitude is better = higher acidity
Rioja Alta 425m
Grapes used for Cava in Rioja
Macabeo (known here as Viura)
Chardonnay
Why are Cava grapes (even same variety) picked over a 1-2 week period
Different levels of ripeness, different characteristics
Complexity for base wine
Most planted variety for Cava?
Macabeo
36%
Macabeo
Late budding (less frost risk)
Picked first
High yielding
Botyrtis and bacterial blight
Macabeo wine style
Light intensity apple lemon
What % of Cava planted to Xarel-lo
25%
Xarel-lo indigenous to what region?
Catalunya
Xarel-lo
Mid-budding (frost risk)
Mid ripen
Powdery and downy
Xarel-lo wine style
Greengage, gooseberry, herbal (fennel)
Earthy when over-ripe
Does well with oak
Parellada what % of Cava plantings
20%
Parellada typically planted on higher or lower sites?
Higher (500m) in Penedes
High altitude = long ripening season = full flavour maturity w/o excess alcohol
Parellada wine style
Floral notes, finnesse
Parellada buds when
Early budding (spring forst)