Lifestyle

What is Cava Wine? A Detailed Guide to Spanish Sparkling Wine

Products You May Like

You don’t should be a sommelier to have heard about Cava. So what’s Cava wine precisely?

Cava, pronounced kaa-vuh, is an excellent and versatile Spanish glowing wine. Typically it may be confused with Champagne or Prosecco as they’re related in some ways. Though they’re three essentially totally different wines, each is exclusive, naturally flavored, and classically styled.

From the grapes which might be used to create it to the placement through which it’s made, Cava is an attention-grabbing facet of Spanish wine. Cava is a product of base wine that has undergone fermentation carried out by expert and proficient bodegas. In recent times, Cava has turn into fairly a favourite amongst wine fans and particularly those that adore a number of bubbles. 

On this put up, we’ll take a look at every little thing it’s essential know to grasp Cava. You’ll be taught extra about what makes it distinctive, its origins in addition to the winemaking course of used to create it. You’ll even uncover a number of Bodegas price touring that can educate you on this elegant show of Spanish craftsmanship. 

What is Cava wine? An in-depth guide to Spanish sparkling wine
What’s Cava wine? An in-depth information to Spanish glowing wine

What Is Cava Wine Precisely?

To place it merely, Cava is a glowing Spanish wine made by means of the same course of to that of Champagne. The principle distinction between Cava wine and Champagne is the truth that Cava is made in Spain. 

This Spanish glowing wine was impressed by the Champagne wines, the primary bottles had been produced in 1872. It wasn’t till 1970 that Cava determined to create a reputation for itself. 

Champana was the unique title of Cava. This moniker didn’t stem from the Champagne wine area in France however really refers back to the technique of fermentation used to show base wine into bubbly. 

In 1970, the title Cava, that means cave or cellar in Cataln, was adopted to keep away from confusion with the French Champagne. The French use one thing known as ‘Méthode Champenoise Denominación de Origen’ which might be loosely translated to the ‘technique from the appellation of Champagne’. 

This conventional technique of double fermentation is what has highlighted Champagne within the historical past books of oenophiles and is used internationally to create different glowing wine variations.  

As of late, Cava is growing in recognition for serving the opulence associated to champagne however at a extra inexpensive value. Because the Spanish DOs (appellations) usually are not as culturally standard as these from France and Italy, a bottle of Cava DO ensures you a way of grandeur with out having to interrupt the financial institution. 

What is Cava wine?
What’s Cava wine?

How Is Cava Made?

Cava is made by means of a two-step fermentation course of. Step one is popping grape juice into wine. Right here, the bottom wine is left in rigorously managed stainless-steel tanks. 

As soon as the wine has been fermented, the secondary fermentation course of is initiated by including tirage liqueur (a combination of yeast and sugar). This combination introduces carbon dioxide into the wine which then kinds the bubbles. 

After riddling the bottles (slowly turning them in order that the yeast rises to the neck of the bottle), the second fermentation course of involves an finish. The yeast is then eliminated by making use of strain (disgorgement). To finish the method, a cork is popped in and the glowing wine is left to age.

In the course of the getting older course of, the bottles are positioned in order that the wine stays regularly in touch with the lees. The lifeless yeast cells give Cava wine its distinctive style.

What are Cava grapes?
What are Cava grapes?

The place Is Cava Made?

Not like different Spanish wines, Cava manufacturing areas usually are not as confined. Whereas nearly all of the glowing wines come from Penedes within the Catalonia area of Spain, different DO’s are additionally capable of produce Cava. 

Don’t be stunned to search out Cava wine manufacturing in La Rioja, Aragon, Castilla y Leon, Navarre, or Valencia.

Cava production zones
Cava manufacturing zones

What Grapes Are Used to Make Cava?

White wine bases are historically created from native grapes like Macabeo, Parellada, and Xarel-lo. These are normally fermented to create white Cava. You’ll discover numerous fruity aromas like quince, lemon, lime peach, orange, and even apple. 

Rosé Cava, or Cava Rosado in Spanish, is normally made with black grapes like Trepat. Monastrell, Garnacha and Pinot noir are pink Cava favorites. 

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes are sometimes used to make Cava Reserva, which is aged for no less than 18 months. Gran Reserva Cava has greater than 30 months getting older within the bottle.

Blanca Cusiné cava combines xarel·lo, chardonnay and pinot noir grapes, grown organically and harvested by hand of their Penedès winery.

Blanca Cusiné 2012
Blanca Cusiné 2012

Is Cava Candy? 

The various kinds of Cava are decided by the quantity of sugar current in every bottle. As soon as the fermentation course of has ended, winemakers will fill the bottle with one thing known as Dosage. This sugar and wine combination can enhance the sweetness degree or contribute to the dryness of the wine. 

Brut Nature is the bottom classification with zero added sugar, a step up is Additional Brut which has three to 6 grams of additional added sugar. These wines can come throughout as a bit dry in comparison with Dulce wines which include greater than 50g of added sugar per liter. 

Cava Faustino Brut Reserva has nicely balanced acidity with hints of honey and flowers. This award-winning wine pairs nicely with chilly meats, seafood, caviar and robust cheeses.

Faustino Cava Brut sparkling wine
Faustino Cava Brut glowing wine

Is Cava Champagne?

So, whereas Cava is made with the identical fermentation processes as champagne, you may belief and imagine that Cava and Champagne usually are not the identical issues. 

The most important distinction is the place they’re made. To be Champagne, grapes should be grown and picked, then bottled and fermented within the Champagne area of France. But, Cava is bottled and fermented in Spain. So though Cava is usually nicknamed Spanish Champagne, it’s very distinct.

Whereas the placement is the largest differentiating issue, there are a number of different methods to inform them aside. For one, Champagne is primarily made with standard grapes reminiscent of Chardonnay, Pinot noir, and Pinot Meunier, the place Cava is just not. 

However, traits inside the wine-making communities are creating and adapting to new traits. Today, winemakers are experimenting with grapes and ranging mixes and blends to create totally different types of Champagne, and the Cava trade is just not far behind them. 

One other differentiating issue is within the getting older course of and precisely how lengthy every beverage is required to age. This may turn into just a little complicated as Cava and Champagne have a number of classes of glowing wine primarily based solely on the length of getting older. 

For instance, a classic Champagne normally ages for about 4 to 10 years the place a Cava equal is required to age for no less than 3 years. Black Label Treasure Gold by Giró Ribot makes use of a pressure of yeast that will increase mannoprotein content material of the cava. This, mixed with bottle ageing on the lees for as much as 15 months provides the wine a creamy and velvety style within the mouth.

Treasure Black Label Cava wine
Treasure Black Label Cava wine

What’s the Most Costly Cava within the World? 

Whether or not you’re celebrating an important day or want to calm down with a glass of glowing wine. There are a number of locations in Sant Sarduni D’Anoia (Cava central) that supply pretty Cava excursions the place you may be taught all concerning the wine and the historical past of the totally different bodegas. 

The primary Cava creators, Cordoniu, provide a wonderful tasting in addition to the most expensive Cava on this planet. Their 457 Gran Reserva 2008’s value level is round $200 per bottle. That is indicative of how fast-growing and lavish the Cava trade might be. 

So, get your self a glass of bubbly or arrange a picnic in the park together with your favourite folks. Sit again and revel in some Cava. 

You may also get pleasure from:

Like this information about what’s cava wine? Pin for later or share with mates.

What is Cava wine?
What’s Cava wine?

Sharing is caring!

Products You May Like