Cava de Paraje Calificado
Cava de Paraje Calificado is a special type of Cava, a type of sparkling wine from Spain. The Spanish authorities introduced this new category 2017 to recognize wines made in special, small areas called "parajes". A "paraje" is a special place with a unique soil and climate, which over many generations, can create wine with distinctive flavors.
In the past, Cava wasn't linked to the idea of "terroir" - a French term used in wine-making to refer to how a wine's flavor can be influenced by where its grapes are grown. But now, this has changed with the Cava de Paraje Calificado category. This category highlights that the place where the grapes are grown can make a big difference to the taste of the wine.
Cava de Paraje Calificado is made from grapes grown in a specific small area, where the location and soil characteristics make it stand out from others. This makes the wine unique, and it comes from a carefully selected place.
There are strict rules to make a Cava de Paraje Calificado. For instance, the grapes must be organically grown and come from specific vineyards. The wine must also be aged for a minimum of three years. This is a lot longer than the 18 months minimum aging time required for another category of Cava, called Cava de Guarda Superior.
Before a bottle can be labeled as Cava de Paraje Calificado, it needs to pass a rigorous test. A group of experts judge the wine on its appearance, taste, and texture. If it passes this test, it gets a special seal, showing it is a Cava de Paraje Calificado. Only a small number of bottles get this seal, making them very exclusive.
In essence, Cava de Paraje Calificado is more than just a sparkling wine. It's a complex but well-balanced wine that carries the unique attributes of its specific growing place. This makes it a high-quality product, with a distinctive and delicate personality.
To be classified as Cava de Paraje Calificado, a Cava must meet the following requirements
The grapes must come from a vineyard whose entire production is dedicated to Cava de Paraje Calificado.
The vineyard must be at least 10 years old.
The maximum yield is 8,000 kg per hectare.
Grapes must be hand-harvested and transported to the winery intact.
Musts may not be chaptalized or acidified.
Minimum acidity is 5.5 grams per liter (per cuvée).
The wine must be aged for at least 36 months on the lees.
The wine must be brut, extra brut, or brut nature.
The wine must be bottled in the winery.
The wine must pass a final test where experts analyze its appearance, tasting notes, and texture to award it the distinction of honor, the Cava de Paraje Calificado seal.
