Cava Viticulture

Question 1

What DO is most densely planted for DO Cava?

Answer 1

Penedés

Question 2

What percentage of Cava production takes place in Penedès?

Answer 2

97%

Question 3

What altitude are grapes for Cava planted at in Penedès?

Answer 3

650-2,300 ft

Question 4

What topographical features bookend Penedès?

Answer 4

Mediterranean Sea and Monserrat Mountains

Question 5

What is the most planted grape for Cava?

Answer 5

Macabeu 36.5%

Question 6

What are the 2nd and 3rd most planted grapes for Cava?

Answer 6

Xarel.lo (25.3%) and Parellada (19.7%)

Question 7

Subirat Parent is the same as what grape?

Answer 7

Malvasia

Question 8

What are the red grapes authorized for Cava production?

Answer 8

Garnatxa Negra, Trepat, Pinot Noir, Monastrell

Question 9

How many grapes are authorized for Cava?

Answer 9

9 (5 white, 4 red)

Question 10

What percentage of Cava acreage is planted to the classic grapes?

Answer 10

82%

Question 11

Macabeo Viti Characteristics

Answer 11

Large compact bunches, thin, delicate skins, frost resistant, late budding

Question 12

Macabeo wine characteristics

Answer 12

Balanced acidity, delicate aroma, elegant. Structure and mouthfeel

Question 13

Why is Macabeo less susceptible to oxidation?

Answer 13

High level of antioxidants in grape

Question 14

Xarel.lo Viti Characteristics

Answer 14

Med sized, loose bunches. Thick skin, disease resistant, doesn’t grow well at high altitudes, buds early, ripens late, flowers irregularly (low yields)

Question 15

Xarel.lo is best planted at what altitude?

Answer 15

Less than 400 m (challenging in vineyard and not conducive to high altitude plantings)

Question 16

Xarel.lo wine charatcteristics

Answer 16

Major structure, acid, personality, suited for long aging, gives Cava full body, earthy herbal/fennel flavors

Question 17

What Cava grape has the highest levels of resveratrol measured in a white grape?

Answer 17

Xarel.lo

Question 18

Which classic grape is notable for giving Cava its full body?

Answer 18

Xarel.lo

Question 19

Parellada viti characteristics

Answer 19

Good-sized bunches, large berries, last to be harvested. Grows well in high altitude areas. Sensitive to heat

Question 20

Which classic grape grows best at high altitudes?

Answer 20

Parellada, but fruit from vineyards 500-800m

Question 21

Parellada wine characteristics

Answer 21

Adds floral, apple/quince aromas. Lower acidity, moderate abv, high pH. Delicate flavors, doesn’t do well on own. ‘Refreshes’ more powerful Xarel.lo brings abv down

Question 22

Which classic grape adds subtle floral aromas and apple/quince flavors?

Answer 22

Parellada

Question 23

What international grape is harvested first for Cava?

Answer 23

Chardonnay. Difficult to grow, early budding, sensitive to frost. Adds aromatics, body, acidity

Question 24

What will Subirat Parent add to the blend?

Answer 24

Structure, freshness, age-ability, aroma and complexity

Question 25

What type of Cava will Pinot Noir craft?

Answer 25

Expressive wines with body. Delicate, needs high altitudes and cool climate

Question 26

Trepat Cava

Answer 26

Rosé based Cava's w/ med abv and balanced acid.

Question 27

Trepat Viti

Answer 27

Buds early, harvested late, vigorous, large, thick skinned berries

Question 28

Garnatxa Cava

Answer 28

Balanced, aromatic wines w/ med acidity

Question 29

Monastrell Cava

Answer 29

Wines w/ weight, moderately high abv

Question 30

Monastrell viti

Answer 30

Small compact bunches, deep blueish

Question 31

Required planting density for Cava grapes?

Answer 31

1500-3500 vines per ha

Question 32

How to optimize viti quality?

Answer 32

Mandated planting density, pruning, sensible irrigation, varietal selection, rootstock

Question 33

What are the permitted Cava pruning systems?

Answer 33

Traditional gobelet, Espalier

Question 34

Why prune?

Answer 34

Revitalizes vine for the year, manages and balances canes for structure and sap flow

Question 35

Cava may not be produced until what vine age?

Answer 35

3rd leaf (2 years after vine has been planted)

Question 36

Cava yields

Answer 36

12 tons/ha or 100 l/150kg

Question 37

Cava de Paraje Calificado yields?

Answer 37

8.8 tons/ha

Question 38

When is irrigation permitted for Cava grapes?

Answer 38

Pre-veraison only

Question 39

When is machine harvesting typically done?

Answer 39

At night

Question 40

When is the typical Cava harvest?

Answer 40

Late August, early September

Question 41

What are the 2 important area of Penedès?

Answer 41

Baix Penedès, Alt Penedès

Question 42

Baix Penedès

Answer 42

Coastal areas, sandy clay soils, milder climate

Question 43

Alt Penedès

Answer 43

Continental, higher altitude, rocky Miocene era seabed soils, larger diurnal swings

Question 44

Altitude of Alt Penedès?

Answer 44

1,300-2,300 ft

Question 45

Is Alt Penedès or Baix Penedès known for higher quality grapes?

Answer 45

Alt Penedès

Question 46

Penedès soils

Answer 46

Limestone, slate, sauló

Question 47

What is Sauló?

Answer 47

Granitic sand

Question 48

How many hours of sunshine/year does Penedès receive?

Answer 48

2,500 (Epernay 1,670, Brescia 2,100)