Page 33 - CAVAS 2018 OK

2018

THE EVOLUTION OF CAVA THROUGH THE GUÍA PEÑÍN

On our last visit to Vilafranca del Penedés we enjoyed
the opportunity to taste more than 800 references,
placing itself as the second Denomination of Origin
in number of samples presented to Guía Peñín for
tasting, only bet by Qualified Denomination of Origin
Rioja. As last year, styles are still limited to two working
methods: one that fixes/turns around the traditional
method, with longer or shorter time of vintage on
racks and others that also take into account further
important matters such as: vineyard and base wine,
the use or non-use of traditional liqueurs d’expédition
and tirage, corks on the racks to facilitate micro-
oxygenation or ageing after disgorging. The former
are too homogeneous/even as they leave all the
distinguishing weight to second fermentation in bottle.
Besides, many wineries use similar or the same base
wine. On our first edition of the Guía Peñín of Cavas
and other Sparkling Wines, we referred to a relevant
and enlightening fact that only 39% of cava producing CAVAS & OTRAS BURBUJAS
wineries manufacture their own base wine.
This year, eleven sparkling cavas have positioned
themselves among the best scored wines of 2018.
Two Cava winemakers had their brands rated together
with the 26 top wines: Gramona and Recaredo,
sample of the efficiency and finesse with which cavas
might express by means of very different methods and
projects.

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