When you have chosen your VILLAS IN SPAIN TO RENT and want to start your holiday with a beautiful local tipple, cava includes a 140 year tradition of being created in Spain and it has an increasing worldwide following. It's not only a poor people’s cousin of France's champagne: it comprises far better value compared to product of its European neighbours towards the north. Generally misconceived like a cheap imitation of champagne, cava is really a sparkling wine from its own grape types and with its own unique history.
Before the 1970s Cava was simply referred to as Spanish Champagne before the EEC passed a ruling that only wine created for the reason that specific region of France could carry the title Champagne. This ruling placed the Spanish producers where they wanted: to build a new reputation for their product so they emerged with "Cava" (the literal translation of which is "cave" or "cellar"). The ruling change was considered a blessing in disguise for Spain's sparkling wine producers forcing some sellers to disassociate themselves with champagne and forge a brand new identity for their product, permitting cava to leave behind their French cousin. A disadvantage to the EEC legislation was that Spain also needed to enforce more stringent controls over what could carry the “cava” label although, due to this, standards and quality have enhanced continuously since, cementing cava's status as an affordable alternative to champagne.
Most of Cava originates from Catalonia and particularly from the Penedés region there. The administrative centre of cava production is the village of Sant Sadurni D'Anoia that is believed to create 85% from the total creation of the wine. Despite production being centred with this small region you will find many the areas of Spain where cava is produced including La Rioja, Aragon, Navarra, the Basque country, Valencia and Extremadura.
What exactly is it which makes Penedés so great at creating the sparkling wine? You will find numerous reasons for this, probably the most salient being the climate and also the topography from the region. Temperatures in the area are mild with evenings between 12 and 14 degrees Celsius and also the regions grapes thrive at different altitudes. Rain fall is principally restricted to storms within the fall and spring but vital moisture can also be supplied by the summer time evening dew. Winds in the area aren't too strong and are never freezing so for that reason not harmful towards the grapes. The location has additionally invested heavily in technology taking advantage of advanced automated techniques. Also the ongoing success of cava worldwide means the large "bodegas" (wine houses) such as Freixenet can still put money into the manufacture of cava, making certain its worldwide position.
To return to cava's routes we should backtrack to the 1870s when several Catalan wine producers referred to as the "Seven Creek Sages" met up to go over how to make a sparkling wine to rival those of France's champagne. They invested heavily in equipment, wineries and extra staff and in 1872 Josep Raventos created 3,000 bottles of cava as it is known today. The emphasis was positioned on using grapes indigenous to Spain to provide the Spanish version of champagne with its character. They are still used today and also the three primary grapes that formulate cava are Macabeu, Xarel-lo (also called Pansá Blanca) and Parellada. Since 1986 cava producers are also permitted to integrate the chardonnay grape within their DO (domain d'origen).
Today Cava is loved around the world, not just for those who have the perfect VILLAS IN SPAIN TO RENT. Since it uses the identical production method as champagne, it can be compared in flavour to its French rival. Taken as an aperitif, offered after a meal or employed for a toast it is a versatile wine that further fortifies Spain's position among the world's great wine producers.
Travel writer writing especially about my adopted home of Spain for Akilar.com providing Holiday Rentals from the OWNERS DIRECT.