Sparkling wine Kava: what is it, history and types

In Spain, wines with bubbles are called “Cava”. The original name was coined not only because the title “champagne” belonged to the French, but also to emphasize the special character of the Spanish drink.

Cava is not just a sparkling wine, but a whole production philosophy with its own technology and traditions.

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History and manufacturing features

The first Cava in Spain was created in 1872 at the Codorníu family winery, which is one of the oldest wine producers in Catalonia and has been in the industry since the XNUMXth century.

After the release of a trial batch of drinks made according to the classic French champagne technology based on local raw materials, the company continued to experiment and invented an original recipe for sparkling products. It has been successfully used to this day.

What is the secret of Kava? First of all – in carefully selected fruits of certain varieties. The main ones are Macabeo, Charello and Parellada.

Each type of grape has its own character and gives the drink certain features:

  1. Maccabeo – gives a fruity aroma and taste

  2. Charello – optimal acidity and density

  3. In parallel – tenderness and sophistication

Sometimes the traditional combination is supplemented with lemon notes of Chardonnay or sweet Malvasia.

Of the red varieties in the production of cava, Garnacha, Monastrell, Pinot Noir and Trepat are used.

The process of making a drink is as follows:

  1. Fruits of a high degree of maturity are harvested by hand in late summer / early autumn and sent to wineries.

  2. The raw materials are carefully pressed and the juice of the first extraction is separated, which, after filtering, undergoes primary fermentation.

  3. The resulting wine material from different varieties selected for blending is bottled.

    In accordance with the recipe, a certain amount of wine yeast, concentrated juice and sucrose are added to the must.

  4. The bottles are placed in the cellars, where, for a specified period (at least 9 months), the secondary fermentation of the wine takes place.

  5. In the process, the drink is subjected to remuage (turning and shaking the bottle to separate the remaining yeast) and disgorging (removal of sediment by freezing).

  6. To restore the original volume, wine of the desired degree of sweetness is added to the vessels.

    The bottles are then sealed with natural cork, labeled and packaged.

The output is a classic Cava with the specified characteristics: a certain color, degree of sweetness and aging.

Types of Kava

Depending on sugar content Spanish sparkling wine falls into one of 6 categories:

  1. Brut Nature (no added sugar)

  2. Extra Brut – up to 6 g / l

  3. Brut – up to 12 g/l

  4. Extra Dry/Extra Dry – 12–17 g/l

  5. Seco/Dry – 17–32 g/l

  6. Semi seco / Semi dry – 32–50 г / л

  7. Dulce/Sweet – from 50 g/l

By color Kava may be white or pink. Shades can vary from light golden and pale green to salmon and raspberry.

White drinks are more common and are considered classics.

According to the degree of endurance There are three types of sparkling products:

  1. Cava is a traditional sample (aging time – from 9 months).

  2. Cava Reserva (from 15 months).

  3. Cava Gran Reserva (from 30 months).

On bottles of Spanish sparkling wine, you can also see the label “Ecológico”.

This is a tribute to modern trends: the badge implies that in the manufacture of wine, environmentally friendly raw materials were used, collected in special vineyards, where chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used.

Best Kava Producers and How to Drink

The main volumes of Spanish “champagne” come from Catalonia and Valencia.

The largest providers are:

  1. quail

  2. Freizenet

  3. Tharsys Payment

  4. gramona

  5. Augusti Torello

Kava flavors are varied

And they differ depending on the prevailing variety and manufacturer.

The most characteristic tones are: peach, citrus, melon, red berries (raspberries, strawberries, currants), cream, apple, pastries and white flowers.

The products of the Reserva class have a taste of honey, nuts, toasted bread and dried fruits.

Spanish sparkling wine is less sweet and less aged than French sparkling wine, but it also costs significantly less.

It is recommended to serve the drink chilled to 7–8 ° C.

In terms of gastronomic combinations, the drink is not as pretentious as Champagne products, and is equally good in the company of meat, fish, cheese, garlic bread, pizza, desserts and spicy snacks.

Relevance: 09.11.2018

Tags: Wine and vermouth, Sparkling wine brands

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