Cava winemaking Flashcards
What vinicultural method gives Cava its primary characteristics?
The traditional method [with aging for a minimum of 9 months. - Cava dogma]
When and how does harvesting of Cava grapes occur?
The harvesting of the grapes for making Cava takes place mostly in August, and they may either be hand-picked or harvested by machine.
What is the maximum allowed yield of pressing for Cava?
The grapes are lightly pressed, in batches and separated by variety. The maximum yield is 60%.
In what vessels does the first fermentation of Cava take place?
Usually in stainless steel, although wood is permitted.
What is the meaning of coupage?
Blending; the combinations that winemakers make with base wines (those that have already undergone the first fermentation) to achieve the expected flavors and aromas in cava
What is the difference between assemblage and coupage?
The terms are used interchangeably, with assemblage being more common. Splitting hairs, coupage has an ever so slight negative connotation, since it translates literally into something like “to cut” and can indicate stretching out a good wine by cutting it with lesser-quality wine, while assemblage sounds more like creating a fine bottle of wine by putting all the pieces together. [Wine Spectator]
What is triage?
The blend of base wines is bottled, and the tirage liqueur is added. This is the mix of yeast and sugar that triggers the second fermentation in the bottle.
What is ‘en rima’?
The stacking of bottles in a horizontal position for the second fermentation
What are pupitres?
Pupitres are traditional wooden frames with tapering angled holes are for the process of manual riddling (remuage).
What is disgorgement?
Removal of the yeast sediment, either manually or by mechanical means after the second fermentation.
What is dosage?
The addition of wine +/- sugar (expedition liqueur) is added to replace the liquid lost during disgorgement.
What time of day is hand harvesting done for Cava?
daytime
What time of day is mechanical harvesting done for Cava?
nighttime
What is the maximum regulated harvest amount by weight for the tractor trailer holding hand harvested grapes?
10000 kg
What are the D.O. regulated maximum yields for the production of grapes for different classes of Cava?
+/-12,000 kg/ha for Cavas de Guarda;
+/-10,000 kg/ha for Cavas de Guarda Superior Reserva and Gran Reserva;
8,000 kg/ha for Paraje Calificado. **
What is the approximate sugar content at the time of harvesting for Cava grapes?
approximately 170 gr/liter (~17 Brix) [traditionally was 150 g/l in Champagne]
How is the sensory analysis of Cava grapes done?
by a visual and tactile examination of the grapes and a taste test
What is the most important aspect of tasting the grape skin?
the tannic intensity
What is the first red Cava grape to be harvested?
Pinot Noir **
What is the first white Cava grape to be harvested?
Chardonnay **
What are the last red Cava grapes to be harvested?
Garnacha, Monastrell, Trepat
What are the last white Cava grapes to be harvested?
Parelleda and Xarello **
What is the D.O. Cava maximum pressing yield for making different categories of Cava?
For most categories of Cava, 0.66 litres of base wine may be obtained per kg of grapes and only 0.60 liters per kg for Cava de Paraje Calificado.
Is base wine fermented with its marc?
The base wine is never fermented with its marc. **
For Cava to be designated as rosé it must be made with what minimum % of red grape varieties?
a minimum of 25% red grape varieties **
What is marc?
Pomace or marc is the solid remains of grapes after pressing for juice. **
What is the regulated alcohol content of Cava?
For the base wine the abv is between 9.5% vol. and 11.5%. For the final product the abv is between 10.8% vol. and 12.8%. **
What is the regulated total acidity of the base wine for Cava?
minimum tartaric acid content of 5 gr/l
What is the regulated real volatile acidity of Cava base wine?
Below 0.6 g/l acetic acid **
What is the regulated total sulphur dioxide of base wine Cava?
Less than 140 mg/l **
What is the regulated pH for the base wine of Cava?
Mín. 2.8 - Max. 3.4
What contribution does Xarello make to Cava?
body, acidity and singulair flavor
What contribution does Parellada make to Cava?
delicacy, elegance and moderate acidity
[parEllADa]
What contribution does Garnacha make to Cava?
moderate acidity, high alcohol content and aromatic intensity
[gArnAchA]
What contribution does Chardonnay make to Cava?
aromatic wines with body and acidity
[chArDOnAy]
What contribution does Pinot Noir make to Cava?
highly aromatic wines with body, rich in color
[ABC]