Sparkling Wine Spain, Germany Flashcards
Who is Jose Raventos?
Jose Raventos began making sparkling wine by traditional method in Cataluna region in early 1870s in Sant Sadurni d’Anoia
Founded the Codorniue firm
Promoted the Cava region
What is Codorniu?
One of world’s largest producers of traditional method sparkling wine
Incorporates Spanish Cava brand Codorniu and Masia Bach and Raimat
Claims to have established Cava industry
First to use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir
Where is cava produced?
Mainly in Cataluna, but also parts of Rioja, Aragon and Valencia
What is the climate for where cava is produced?
Warm Mediterranean
What white grape varieties are used to make cava?
Macabeo
Xarel-lo
Parellada
Chardonnay
What red grape varieties are used to make cava?
Trepat
Garnacha
Pinot Noir
Describe Macabeo used in cava
Most widely planted; on plains and at low altitude in Cataluna
Late budding, early ripening
Green apple aromas
Typically 50% of blend
Describe Xarel-lo used in cava
Green, gooseberry flavours–become earthy when grapes are over ripe
Planted at low-mid altitude in Cataluna
* Vegetal smell of Xarel-lo can help distinguish cava from other traditional method sparkling wines
Describe Parellada used in cava
Adds finesse and floral aromas
Planted at highest altitude in Cataluna
Low body
Grown almost exclusively around San Sadurn’I d’Anoia
Least planted in Penedes of three cava varieties
Large, loose bunches
Early budding, late ripening
Describe Chardonnay used in cava
Adds body, finesse and peachy flavours
Ripens early
Choice of clone and rootstock is important
Describe Trepat used in cava
Raspberry flavours, refreshing acidity
Can only be used in rose
Describe Garnacha used in cava
Strawberry flavours; low acidity
Can oxidise quickly
Describe Pinot Noir used in cava
Adds delicacy and perfume
Choice of clone and rootstock is important
Why has grape quality used in cava improved recently?
Research on clones and rootstock
Research on more natural ways of working vineyard–integrated pest control
Earlier harvesting
Improvement in canopy management
How is cava made?
Traditional method
What is max juice yield for cava?
Similar to Champagne
What is min lees ageing for cava?
9 months
What improvements have been make to cava production recently?
Research into different yeast strains that flocculate easily
What is min lees ageing for non-vintage cava?
9 months min
What is min lees ageing for vintage cava?
9 months min
What is min lees ageing for reserva cava?
15 months min
What is min lees ageing for gran reserva cava?
30 months min
How is Rosado cava made?
Mady by Sangrado method (saignee, drawing off), not by blending
What is Cava del Paraje Calificado?
Recently introduced classification for wines made from grapes from a single vineyard
36 months mins lees ageing
What is the Consejo Regulador del Cava?
Cava industry regulator
How is the cava industry structured?
Four business sectors with own register: growers, businesses that create base wine for cava, businesses that store base wine for cava, cava producers
Where does the name “Cava” come from?
Adopted in 1970 when abandoned use of misleading term “Champana”
Cataluna term meaning “cellar”
What is Freixenet?
Along with Codorniu, largest sparkling wine producer in the world
What are Cataluna municipalities that can make cava (per EU regulations)?
Valencia, Aragon, Naarra, Rioja and Basque
Who are Recaredo and Gramona?
Artisanal small cava producers making increasingly the best cava–but cava still has mass market image
What is significant of Penedes DO in context of cava?
Number of quality cava producers left Cava DO and joined Penedes DO because of perceived poor mass-market image of Cava DO
Medio Penedes is most productive part of region and makes much of base wine for cava
What is the largest sparkling wine market in the world?
Germany
How much of German sparkling wine demand is satsified by domestic production?
80%
Where is Sekt made?
Majority made from inexpensive base wine sourced from outside of Germany–mainly France, Italy and Spain
What grape varieties are used to make Sekt?
No limited–main are Riesling, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir for grapes grown in Germany
How is Sekt made?
Tank method
How is premium Sekt made?
Some made by traditional method
What is the min alcohol for Sekt?
10% abv
What is the min pressure for Sekt?
3.5 bar
What does Sekt mean?
Sparkling wine
Base wines sourced from any EU country
What does Deutscher Sekt mean?
Base wines sourced from Germany
What does Sekt b.A. mean?
Base wines from a specified German quality region
What does Winzersekt mean?
Premium Sekt from a single vintage and grape variety
Estate grown and bottled
Traditional method, min 9 months lees ageing
What does Vintage and Varietal Sekt mean?
Must include 85% of vintage or grape variety
What is the trade structure for Sekt?
Dominated by large businesses (e.g., Rotkappchen)
What is the current trend for Sekt?
Increasingly popular (although initial base was small)
Where is Sekt made other than Germany?
Austria
