Cava Flashcards
How long have traditional method sparkling wines been made in Spain?
since the late 19th C
Where in Spain have sparkling wines been prinicpally made?
in or close to the city of Barcelona, in Cataluna in north-east Spain
Who are the two biggest producers of Cava today?
Freixenet and Codorniu groups of companies
When and why was the term Cava started to be informally used?
1960s as the industry recognized it would need a generic term for traditional method sparkling wine on the journey to Spain’s eventual membership to the EU
When did the term Cava become a legal term?
1972
When did EU authorities give Cava a PDO status named for a wine rather than a place?
1989
What is different about Cava PDO
unusually for a PDO grapes can be sourced from a number of unconnected areas
Who regulates and oversees wine production in Cava?
Consejo regulador del cava
What varieties are Cava traditionally made from?
local varieties: Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parrellada
chardonnay is increasingly used in blends, but quality producers are putting emphasis on local varieties
Where are most grapes grown for Cava and most Cava produced
Penedes Cataluna - more than 95% in both cases
What other areas can Cava be produced and grown?
part of Rioja or Valencia
What are the most important areas where Cava is made?
Penedes, Lleida, and Tarragona
What is the main area of production for Cava?
Penedes region in Cataluna
what is the climate in Penedes
predominately Mediterranean - bright sunny mild winters, moderate rainfall (540mm) spread throughout the year
What is the range of the vineyards in Penedes?
from the coast to higher altitudes inland with largest extent being 200-300 meters
How high can a minority of the vineyards reach in altitude?
700-800 m above sea level
Describe the summer nights at the higher altitudes in Penedes
can get distinctly cool producing fruit with more intense flavors and high acidity than grapes that are grown in lower altitudes
Describe the soils found in Penedes
they can vary from alluvial and clay at lower altitudes to stony clay and granite sub soils at higher altitudes
all soil types are relatively poor in nutrients, with adequate drainage and water retention making them suitable for viticulture
Describe the difference between Macabeo based wines made from grapes grown in higher altitude vineyards vs closer to sea level
higher altitudes = more flavor and higher acidity giving them the ability to age well in the bottle
What are the two principal towns for Cava
Sant Sadurni d’anoia - in and around which principal Cava producers are located
Vilafranca del Penedes where the Consejo has its headquarters
What is the Lleida province called in Spanish?
Lerida - Lleida is the Catalan name
Describe the land in Lleida?
rises up into the mountains including both slopes in a high plain (100-700 m)
What is the climate in Lleida?
Mediterranean nearer the coast with increasing continental influences further inland
What has turned the former semi desert area of Lleida into a productive vineyard land?
irrigation system with water from the Pyrenees
Besides for irrigation, what else can the system from the Pyrennes be used for in lleida?
protection from spring frosts
Describe the difference in the wines of grapes grown at lower vs high altitudes in Lleida
lower altitudes = fresher flavors and higher acidity
high altitudes = riper fruit flavors
What is the largest single vineyard estate owned by one family in Spain
Raimat estate - 2,200 ha
producing mainly still wines
Where are the grape growing areas mainly for Tarragona province?
low lying or undulating hills
what is the climate in Tarragona province?
Mediterranean
Describe the wines from tarragona province
quite simple, Macabeo dominated meant for early drinking
what is Trepat and where is it found?
black varietal increasing in value for Cava Rosado (rose wines)
found in the Conca de Barbera area within the Tarragona province
What is another area in Spain that is important for Cava wines
Rioja
What protects Rioja from excessive rainfall coming from the Atlantic
Cantabrian Mountains
In Rioja describe grapes grown at higher altitudes
Rioja Alta (425m above sea level) can have higher acidity than fruit at lower altitudes which makes them well suited for quality sparkling wines
What are the only varieties used in Rioja for Cava
Macabeo (locally known as Viura) and Chardonnay
Compared to Penedes how does Macabeo ripen in Rioja
Macabeo ripens much later in Rioja than in Penedes where it grows at a lower altitude
What varieties make up the vast majority of plantings in Cava?
Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada
What variety has smaller plantings, but still significant in Cava?
Chardonnay
Describe how the varieties of Cava are harvested
picked at different times and over a 1-2 week period to gain different characteristics and different base wines for blending
How much of the registered vineyards does Macabeo make up
37%
Where is Macabeo typically planted
100-300 m above sea level in Penedes, but some is also planted in Rioja and Lleida
Describe budding and picking of Macabeo
late budding = less risk from spring frosts
picked first of local varieties
high yielding
What is Macabeo susceptible to?
botrytis bunch rot, and bacterial blight
What are the general aromas and flavors for Macabeo
light intensity apple and lemon aromas
What kind of wine is made where Macabeo is the only Spanish indigenous white grape planted
single variety
Most typically what is Macabeo blended with?
Chardonnay
How much of the registered vineyards does Xarel-lo make up
26%
Where is Xarel-lo typically planted
at sea level and as high as 400 m in Penedes
Where is Xarel-lo indigenous to?
Cataluna
Describe budding and ripening for Xarel-lo
mid budding - prone to spring frosts in some years
mid ripening
What is Xarel-lo susceptible to?
powdery and downy mildew, but otherwise has good disease resistance
Describe the flavor/aroma profile for Xarel -lo
greenage, gooseberry notes, herbal (fennel) notes that set it apart from other varietals, can become earthy when fruit is over ripe; reasonable affinity with oak
How much of the registered vineyards does Parellada make up
19%
Where is Parellada typically planted?
higher sites 500m in Penedes
Where is Parellada indigenous to?
Cataluna
Describe ripening and yields of Parellada
lowest yielding and latest ripening