SPAIN - Cava Flashcards
History:
How long have traditional method wines been made in Spain?
History:
Since late 19th century just outside Barcelona
History:
Which families were the early pioneers of cava production
History:
- Ferrer (Freixenet)
- Reventós (Codorniu)
History:
How was Cava defined in the Spanish Law and when?
History:
Sparkling wine made via trad method protected denomination in 1972
History:
In 1989, what did the EU do to Cava?
History:
Officially designated it as a PDO (protected designation of origin) for quality sparkling wine rather than a place
History:
Where can grapes be sourced from?
History:
Lots of non contiguous areas across one third of Spain eg. Rioja and Valencia
Growing Environment:
Where are most of the grapes sourced from and what percentage?
Growing Environment:
95% of grapes and production comes from Penedes
Growing Environment:
What are the principle areas of Cava production?
Growing Environment:
Penedes, Lleida and Tarragona
Growing Environment:
What is the climate in Penedes? How does this affect their Summers and Winters
Growing Environment: Mediterranean climate (bright hot Summers and mild Winters)
Growing Environment:
Ho much rain does Penedes see throughout the season?
Growing Environment:
540mm - MODERATE
Growing Environment:
Where are the vineyards located?
Growing Environment:
coast to inland (200-300m ab sea lev)
Growing Environment:
What are the very highest altitudes in which one might find vineyards for Cava grapes?
Growing Environment:
up to 700 m in rare cases
Growing Environment:
If growing grapes at 700m , what can one expect from acidity and flavor intensity
Growing Environment:
High acidity and flavor intensity (therefore AGEWORTHY) vs wines at lower elevations
Growing Environment:
which soils are found in Penedes?
Growing Environment:
It varies from alluvial clay to stony clay
Growing Environment:
What do the best soils offer to the vine?
Growing Environment:
Low nutrients, good drainage and good water retention
Growing Environment:
What is the regulatory body for Cava?
Growing Environment:
Consejo Regulador del Cava
Growing Environment:
Where is Lleida?
Growing Environment:
In Catalonia. It is a province that contains mountains and high plains
Growing Environment:
What is the climate in Lleida?
Growing Environment:
Mediterranean Climate at lower elevation and continental at higher elevations
Growing Environment:
Why does Lleida need irrigation and from where does the water in the system come?
Growing Environment:
It is arid semi-desert. The irrigation system channels water from the Pyrenees to the vineyards
Growing Environment:
What is the elevation range for vineyards in the Lleida region?
Growing Environment:
100m - 700m elevation
Growing Environment:
What are the two hazards that irrigation may protect vineyards from ?
Growing Environment:
- Drought
- Spring Frost
Growing Environment:
Which important pioneering 2200 ha estate lies In Lleida?
Growing Environment:
Raimat
Growing Environment:
Why is the this large estate considered special?
Growing Environment:
- Largest single vineyard estate owned by one family in Spain (Raventós family)
- It pioneered the growth and use of chardonnay in both Raimat and Codorniu wines
Growing Environment:
What is the difference in fruit grown at lower vs high elevations in Lleida?
Growing Environment:
At higher altitudes, there is fresher fruit and high acidity and at lower elevations, there is riper fruit and lower acidity
Growing Environment:
Where is Tarragona province located?
Growing Environment:
The province lies southwest of Barcelona
Growing Environment:
What is the topography and climate in the Tarragona province?
Growing Environment:
Low lying region with some undulating hills. The climate is Mediterranean
Growing Environment:
Which cava rosado grape is at home here? Which is the dominant of the cava grapes grown here?
Growing Environment:
Trepat and Macabeo
Growing Environment:
Name one other region in Spain that produces cava along with its location
Growing Environment:
Rioja lies in the North of Spain (500km from Barcelona) protected from excessive rain from the Atlantic Ocean by the Cantabrian Mountains
Its vineyards lie at about 425m at their highest in Rioja Alta
