Cava Flashcards
When and where did traditional method sparkling wine production begin in Spain?
During the mid-nineteenth century in Catalunya, primarily around the town of Barcelona
Which families were the early pioneers of Cava production? What is their current status?
The Ferrer and Raventós families
The Ferrer family owns Freixenet
The Raventós family owns Codorníu
These are by far the largest Cava producing companies
When did the term ‘Cava’ emerge? When did it become a formalized name for the denomination?
Cava was used informally starting in the 1960s. It became more formalized as producers realized it would need a title to protect their products upon joining the EU. In 1972 Cava became part of Spanish law and, in 1989, was protected as a PDO by the EU.
True or False
Cava is allowed to be sourced from several different, noncontiguous areas.
True, which is unusual for PDO wines
What is the body that oversees Cava production?
Consejo Regulador de Cava
What are the three traditional varieties used to produce Cava?
Xarel-lo
Macabeo
Parellada
Where are most of the grapes used for Cava grown? Where is the majority of Cava produced?
Penedès, in Catalunya
More than 95% in both cases
True or False
Grapes for Cava may be grown outside of Penedès, but not outside Catalunya.
False. There are several approved Cava regions outside of Catalunya.
What are the three most important regions for Cava production?
Penedès
Lleida
Tarragona
What is the climate of Penedès?
Predominantly Mediterranean, with the majority of vineyards planted in the 200-300 meter range experiencing bright, sunny summers with mild winters and moderate rainfall throughout the year
What is the average annual rainfall in Penedès? When does it fall the most?
540mm
The rainfall is spread throughout the year
At what altitudes in Penedès would you find a minority of vineyards producing grapes with higher acidity and more concentrated flavors? Why?
700-800 meters.
The grapes experience a larger diurnal swing
What are the soil types found in Penedès? How do they affect viticulture?
At lower altitudes are alluvial and clay soils. Higher altitudes possess stony-clay and granite soils.
These soils are relatively poor in nutrients but offer good drainage and water retention, making them suitable for viticulture.
Is Penedès the best location for producers who seek to blend wines for Cava production? Why or why not?
Because of the range of grapes that are produced based on altitude and soil type, there is considerable complexity to be gained from blending grapes in this region
What are the important towns of Penedès?
San Sadurní d’Anoia
Vilafranca del Penedès
Where is the Consejo Regulador de Cava based?
Vilafranca del Penedès
What is an alternative name for the Lleida province? In what language are both names?
Lleida (Catalan)
Lérida (Spanish)
What is the general geography of Lleida? How does this affect its climate?
It is a large area comprising high plains that rise into the mountains. The altitude range is 100-700 meters, offering Mediterranean influences at lower altitudes but more continental influences higher up.
What makes the Lleida province suitable for viticulture?
An irrigation system that brings water from the Pyrenees that converted this land from a semi-desert into arable land
What benefits does the irrigation system of Lleida offer to grape growers?
It provides sufficient water to grow grapes in this dry area
It helps prevent frost in the spring
Why is the Lleida province important to Cava?
It holds the largest single-vineyard estate owned by one family. The 2,200 hectare Raimat estate is owned by the Raventós family and mainly produces still wines
What is the general topography of Tarragona? What is its climate?
Low lying or undulating hills with a Mediterranean climate
What types of Cava are typically produced in Tarragona?
Simple Macabeo dominant wines meant for early drinking
What area of Tarragona is important for the production of Trepat?
Conca de Barberà
True or False
Rioja is plays a role in Cava by growing Xarel-lo and Chardonnay that can be used in the wines.
False. Macabeo, also known as Viura, is grown in Rioja with Chardonnay that can be used for Cava.
The grapes in Rioja ripen later than in Penedès due to the cooler climate.
What varieties may be used for the production of Cava?
Macabeo Xarel-lo Parellada Chardonnay Garnacha Tinta Trepat Pinot Noir
What white varieties may be used for the production of Cava?
Macabeo
Xarel-lo
Parellada
Chardonnay
What black varieties may be used for the production of Cava?
Garnacha Tinta
Trepat
Pinot Noir
What percentage of Cava vineyards are planted to Macabeo?
36%
What percentage of Cava vineyards are planted to Xarel-lo?
26%
What percentage of Cava vineyards are planted to Parellada?
21%
What percentage of Cava vineyards are planted to Chardonnay?
9%
At what altitudes are Macabeo vineyards used for Cava typically planted at?
100-300 meters, though some are planted higher in Rioja and Lleida
What are the viticultural characteristics of Macabeo? Why is this important for Cava?
It is late budding, thus avoiding spring frosts
It is early ripening and the first to be picked of the three traditional Cava varieties
It is high yielding
What diseases and/or conditions is Macabeo sensitive to?
Botrytis
Bacterial blight, a disease associated with warm, moist conditions that reduces yields and for which there is no cure
What aromas does Macabeo offer to Cava?
Light intensity apple and lemon aromas
At what altitudes are Xarel-lo vineyards used for Cava typically planted at?
Sea level to 400 meters
What are the viticultural characteristics of Xarel-lo? Why is this important for Cava?
It is mid-budding, making it susceptible to spring frosts in some years
It is mid-ripening
