DO Cava’s long-aged cuvées – Future-proof excellence
Cava has long been synonymous with high-quality traditional method sparkling wine. The Spanish Denomination of Origin has never, however, rested on its laurels. Its producers have gathered around a shared strategy to strengthen the DO’s sustainability requirements and to renew the focus on long lees ageing.
The Guarda Superior categories (Reserva, Gran Reserva and Paraje Calificado), which already rely on the DO’s strict production standards, will, from the 2025 vintage onwards, all be classified organic. This is a significant and daring step forward that sets a new benchmark for the traditional method sparkling category as a whole.
Discover nine DO Cava wines below
Building resilience
Cava combines a Mediterranean essence with a classical, timeless soul. This classicism has been built upon the diverse yet unique identity of the DO’s many terroirs and an array of grape varieties that provide structure and character to wines with recognised food-pairing appeal and ageing potential. The DO’s four zones – Comtats de Barcelona, Ebro Valley, Requena and Viñedos de Almendralejo – yield cuvées with different personalities but two common denominators: age-worthiness and moreish elegance.
When compared with its European counterparts, DO Cava stands out for both its diversity and consistency. In tandem, these are the foundations of the appellation’s privileged standing in the face of climate change. As the wine industry braces itself for severe viticultural challenges, DO Cava has a unique toolkit: a diversity of terroirs, many of them at altitude and cooled by maritime breezes; a range of adaptive varieties; a collective commitment to sustainability that has built climate resilience in both the vineyard and cellar.
DO Cava has a diversity of terroirs, many of them at altitude and cooled by maritime breezes, as well as a range of adaptive varieties. Credit: Sam Zucker.
Time as the ultimate craftsman
For it is indeed in the cellar that craftsmanship and time conspire to tease out the full potential of DO Cava wines through extended ageing on the lees. And if it is at the highest tiers that Cava expresses its full potential for complexity and ageability, producers have taken further steps to ensure that consumers understand what’s inside the bottle. The recently reviewed labelling system creates an easy, clear way to identify the authenticity and category of each wine, with a silver label for Reserva cuvées, gold for Gran Reserva, and a gold diamond-shaped stamp for Paraje Calificado. Further to this, the DO has also introduced a special labelling element for Elaborador Integral, for wines made by producers who control the whole production process, using estate-grown grapes only, pressed, vinified and aged in their own facilities.
With the festive season upon us, look out for the bottles bearing these stamps: they stand for the hard work of passionate Spanish producers, making some of the world’s most interesting traditional method sparkling wines.
Exploring DO Cava in nine wines
Bodegas Escudero, Benito Escudero Brut Nature
100% Viura/Macabeo
There’s a real sense of place to this Viura (as Macabeo is known in Rioja), planted at between 700 and 800 metres, just south of Mount Yerga. Generous yet fresh on the palate, with soft apple and Asian pear. Good width and persistence, supported by a gentle acid line. Alc 11.5%
Parés Baltà, Blanca Cuisiné Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2016
83% Xarel·lo, 10% Pinot Noir and 7% Chardonnay
Lovely richness balanced by zesty citrus. A great display of the intense Xarel·lo fruit and herbal nuances, supported by Pinot’s framework and Chardonnay’s minerality. Very pleasant mid-palate weight. Organic and biodynamic (Demeter) certified. Alc 12%
Canals & Munné, X-10 Gran Reserva Brut Nature 2011
100% Xarel·lo
Finely etched with outstanding varietal character but also great winemaking on show. Aniseed, wild fennel and…
Source : https://www.decanter.com.master.public.keystone-prod-eks-euw1.futureplc.engineering/sponsored/do-cavas-long-aged-cuvees-future-proof-excellence-542117/
