Cava Flashcards
What are seven regions that can produce Cava?
- Catalonia
- La Rioja
- Navarra
- Pais Vasco
- Aragon
- Valencia
- Extremadura
What are two main styles produced in the Cava DO?
The two main styles produced in the Cava DO are:
- Vino espumoso blanco
- Vino espumoso rosado
What is the most important town for Cava production and where is it located?
The most important town for Cava production is San Sadurni d’Anoia and it is located in the sub-region of Alt-Penedes in the Penedes DO within Catalonia.
What are the aging requirements for Cava DO?
The aging requirements for Cava DO are the following:
Cava/Vintage - Minimum 9 months on the lees
Reserva - Minimum 15 months on the lees
Gran Reserva - Minimum 30 months on the lees [Brut Nature, Extra Brut, and Brut ONLY]
What are the white and red varietals allowed for Cava production?
The grape varietals allowed for Cava production are: White: 1. Xarel-lo 2. Macabeo 3. Parellada 4. Chardonnay 5. Subirat-Parent [Malvasia]
Red:
- Monastrell
- Garnacha Tinta
- Trepat
- Pinot Noir
What is the ABV range for the base wines of Cava?
The ABV range for the base wine of Cava production is 9.5% - 11.5%
What is the ABV range for Cava [final product]?
The ABV range for Cava is 10.8% - 12.8%
What does De Nit indicate on a bottle of Cava?
De Nit on a label of Cava indicated that the fruit was harvested during the cool nights.
Describe what contributes to Xare-lo’s long aging capacity
A side from its low PH which provides backbone and body, Xarel-lo’s long aging capacity derives from it’s slow oxidation due to particular high amount of resveratrol in the grapes; the highest of any other white varietal.
Can Cava Rose be produced by blending base white wine and base red wine?
NO, however the white and red varietals can be co-fermented.
Describe what is the major role of Dosage in quality Cava production?
The major role of dosage in quality Cava production is to balance the bitterness, unlike in Champagne where the major role is to balance the acidity.
Which Cava producer abandoned the Cava DO appellation in 2012?
Reventos I Blanc
Describe what character does Xarel-lo, Macabeo, and Parellada impart to Cava
Xarel-lo imparts acidity, strength, body, and aging capacity with it’s hight content of resveratrol.
Macabeo imparts fruit
Parellada imparts Softness and aroma; however it does have LOW acidity.
Parellada is also grown on higher altitudes in order to maintain some acidity.
In decending order, what are the planting percentages of the main varietals in Cava DO
Macabeo - 35% Xarel-lo - 24% Parellada - 22% Chardonnay - 9% Pinot Noir - 3% Trepat - 3% Garnacha - 3% Monastrell - 1 % Subirat Parent - 1%
What two firms dominate the production of Cava?
The two firms that dominate the production of Cava are
Freixenet at 10 million cases and followed by Codorniu at 3.6 million cases.
