DO Cava: Official Launch of Single Estate Cava

This new Premium classification will only include Cavas made with grapes from an exceptional estate or terroir and must be at least 10 years old with a maximum output of 8,000 kg per hectare and hand harvested. The Cavas must be fermented in bottle at least for 36 months.

The chairman of the Cava Regulatory Board, Pedro Bonet, stated that this category has been created “to do justice to the quality of Cava” On the 14 June 2016 at the historic Palau de la Musica in Barcelona, the CRDO del Cava (Cava Regulatory Board) announced the launch of a new classification – Cava del Paraje – Single Estate Cava; a new premium category that will include all Cavas made with grapes from exceptional estates/terroirs due to their climatic or geological features.During the event, hosted by the Spanish journalist Pepa Fernández, the chairman of the Cava Regulatory Board, Pedro Bonet, explained the requirements for the new category of Cavas:

Wines must be made from grapes grown in vineyards that are at least 10 years old.
The grapes must be hand-harvested from vineyards with a maximum output of 8,000 kg per hectare.
Fermentation must be carried out at the estate and have a maximum yield of 48 hectolitres per hectare.
The initial base wine must be certified as being of sufficient quality before ageing in bottle for a minimum of 36 months.
Single Estate Cavas will only be produced as ‘Brut’ wines.
Strict and exhaustive traceability controls must be in place from the vine to on-shelf.

According to Bonet, Single Estate Cava, Cava del Paraje has been created “in order to place Cavas at the top of the quality wine pyramid” and to do justice to the excellence of this sparkling wine. He also said is that Single Estate Cava would be exclusive to the D.O. Cava category, adding that few designations of origin in Spain can be so proud of their achievements, “even though we are only 30 years old and still a young D.O.” Cava is the second largest Spanish DO by volume and the number one D.O. in terms of international export, he confirmed. “The growth and improvement of Cava is essential for global sustainability in the region, essential for its progress and the future. Even though, there is still a long way to go,” he added.

During the launch Bonet encouraged the Cava industry to improve the wine’s consumer image, as well as its positioning, international distribution and marketing, he concluded, “We hope that this new classification will not only prove that Cava is capable of producing fine wines that can age and we hope that this new classification will motivate and inspire producers to strive to produce increasingly higher quality sparkling wines.”

Jaime Haddad, Assistant Secretary for Agriculture, Food and Environment in the Spanish government, also present, emphasised that Single Estate Cava “represents a step forward in the quality of one of the most significant elements of our culture”. “The new category will position Cava in the place it deserves”, he added.

Meritxell Serret, Catalan Minister for Agriculture, Cattle, Fishing and Food, highlighted that Single Estate Cava gives “more prestige and singularity” to the region’s sparkling wines – this is a strong statement that will gain more recognition for our wines and Cavas”, she said.

Local and international wine experts, press and opinion formers attended the official launch of the Cava del Paraje, including the wine critic and Master of Wine Pedro Ballesteros, Master of Wine Lenka Sedlackova, the Best Cava Sommelier in Spain, Guillermo Cruz and German wine expert Yvonne Heistermann.