Cava

Question 1

Why CAVA is an unusual DO ?

Answer 1

It doesn’t refer to just one geographical location. Although the vast majority of Cava is produced in Cataluña, it is also permitted to be produced in a number of other provinces spreading across one third of Spain.

Question 2

What is the location of Cava DO ?

Answer 2

• Mainly Catalunya

* Parts of Rioja, Aragon and Valencia

Question 3

What is the climate of Cava DO ?

Answer 3

Warm Mediterranean

Question 4

What are the white grapes for Cava DO ?

Answer 4

• Macabeo: most widely planted, ripens early. Green apple aromas. In Cataluña, planted on plains at low altitude.
• Xarel-lo: greengage, gooseberry notes, but these flavors become earthy when grapes are over ripe. In Cataluña, planted on low-mid altitude.
• Paralleda: adds finesse and floral notes. In Cataluña, planted on highest altitudes.
• Chardonnay: adds body, finesse and peachy flavors. Ripens very early, choice of clone and rootstock is very important.

Question 5

What are the red grapes for Cava DO ?

Answer 5

• Trepat: raspberry flavors with refreshing acidity. Can only be used in Rosado production.
• Garnacha: strawberry flavors with low acidity. Tendency to oxidize easily.
• Pinot Noir: adds delicacy and perfume, but choice of clone and rootstock very important.

Question 6

Explain vineyard of Cava DO.

Answer 6

• Greater research on clones + focus on more natural ways of working the vineyard (pest management, etc.) = improvement in grape quality over recent years.
• Earlier harvesting and greater attention on canopy management have also helped.

Question 7

Explain winemaking of Cava DO.

Answer 7

• Must be made using the traditional method.
• A maximum juice yield is set very similar to Champagne.
• Minimum lees ageing: 6 months.
• Recent areas of development: research of different yeast strains which flocculate easily.

Question 8

Explain the classifications of Cava.

Answer 8

1) Non-vintage: minimum lees ageing 9 months.
2) Vintage: minimum lees ageing 9 months.

3) Reserva: minimum lees ageing 15 months.
4) Gran Reserva: minimum lees ageing 30 months.

5) Rosado: must be made by the Sangrado method (Saignée. Drawing off), not by blending.
6) Cava del Paraje Calificado: recently introduced qualification for wines made from grapes from a single vineyard, minimum lees ageing 36 months.

Question 9

What are the important trade structures of Cava DO ?

Answer 9

• The whole industry is controlled by the Consejo Regulador del Cava.

• There are 4 separate business sectors, each has its own register:
– Growers
– Businesses that create base wine for Cava
– Businesses that store base wine for Cava
– Cava producers

• A business can be registered under more than one register. Many of the large companies are registered under all four.