Spain is one of the three largest wine producers in the world. The vine occupies vast territories - about six million acres. No country in the world has such areas for growing raw materials for the future drink, which is exported to many countries. This article introduces the reader to sparkling Spanish wines, their description, assortment and production.
When did winemaking originate in Spain?
This type of activity has existed since the Romans and Phoenicians ruled the country. In Spain, they have been making wine for more than 2000 years. The first source with references to Spanish wines dates back to 873. The production of this drink in the country developed thanks to the Romans who carefully taught the local population the secrets of its production and storage. They themselves exported wine to the Roman Empire.
In the Middle Ages, Spanish sparkling wines became popular thanks to the efforts of the monks who sought to improve their quality. The manufacture of this product in the country was treated with awe. So, in the seventeenth century, the mayor of Logrono issued a decree banning the passage of horse-drawn carriages through the streets adjacent to the wine cellars. This, according to the ruler, interfered with the quality of the drink.
Wineries built by the French in Spain had a positive impact on the development of this industry. It so happened that the vineyards of France were invaded by phylloxera imported from America. This caused irreparable damage. Then French winegrowers became interested in the Spanish regions and launched their production there. They especially liked Rioja, as the wines produced there reminded the French of the drink of their homeland - the notorious Bordeaux.
Kava - sparkling wine
There is not a single festive event in Spain that would take place without the use of this drink, although cava has earned undoubted popularity in many other countries. Sparkling Spanish wines are produced in a specific region called Cava. The predominant part of the wine production is in the provinces of Catalonia, Barcelona and Tarragona.
Spanish sparkling wines are produced in the country in a large assortment. But not every one of them has earned the right to be called a sparkling cava. This name is given only to those drinks for the creation of which they use the appropriate grape varieties grown according to classical technology and in a certain region of sunny Spain.
White sparkling Spanish wines Cava (Cava) are produced from grape varieties such as Macabeo, Charello, Parellada. For rosé wines, Garnacha, Pinot Noir, Monastrel, Trepat are suitable.
History of creation
The history of sparkling wines in Spain dates back several centuries. The first appearance of cava dates back to 1872. Its creator is Don Jose Rventos, representative of one of the oldest genera in Spain - Kodorniu. He mastered the method of champagne, which was developed in France, and successfully introduced it in his homeland, in Catalonia. Currently, almost 100% of the production of Kava sparkling wine falls on this region. Already in those distant times, Jose had a small production of this drink.
Since then, the popularity of Spanish cava sparkling wine is not inferior to other drinks. This is evidenced by the fact that its annual production is 200 million bottles. It is quickly bought up by the local population and sold outside the country.
Production
The basis of cava production is secondary fermentation in bottles. To obtain the best Spanish wines, the raw materials are subsequently subjected to various procedures: from blending to dilution with liquor.
- Kava does not immediately fall into the bottles. First, the drink goes through the fermentation procedure in containers made of steel, after which it is mixed with grapes of different varieties and last year's wine. Only after blending is the cava bottled into which liquor made from yeast and sugar is added.
- After such preparations, the neck is tightly corked, and the bottles are sent for storage for a period of 9 months to 4 years in a dark basement. The wine will age. The strength of the drink is gained thanks to carbon dioxide, which is formed in bottles. The main indicator of quality for cava is bubbles. The smaller and finer they are, the higher the quality.
- But that is not all. The drink passes the following test - the process of remake. The result of this procedure is the precipitation of yeast visible by the eye, which forms on the neck. Subsequently, the bottle is frozen, and a cork with sediment is pulled out of it. This is already a discontent.
- The volume of the drink must be in accordance with the norm. Therefore, the same wine of last year and liquor are added to the bottle. The last step is to plug the container with a cork and strengthen it with a wire mesh. The wine is ready.
What is kava?
This drink of various brands is made according to the traditional method of champagne. Sparkling Spanish wines have a noble aroma and taste of ripe grapes. Cava production is carried out using the original method, which completely mechanizes the process of remake. The bottles were replaced with a large metal structure called hirasol ("sunflower"). This capacity holds five hundred bottles. There is no need for each individually to undergo a remake procedure, this problem is removed.
Officially, cava is divided into pink and white. The first has a rich fruity and floral aroma and a dense dry taste. The following types of cava are classified according to sugar concentration:
- Natural kava, or Brut Natur (super dry).
- Brut (dry).
- Seko (fairly dry).
- Seven Seko (semi-dry).
- Seven Dolce (semisweet).
- Dolce (sweet).
If the question “how to choose sparkling Spanish wines” arises, pay attention to the manufacturer of the drink. The most famous companies:
- Castell Blanch. Produces such famous Spanish wines (the best sparkling), such as Brut Zero and Crystal Seco.
- “Castillo de Perelada” - is famous for such drinks as “Gran Claustro” and “Perelada”.
- “Kodorniu” - famous for its excellent wines “Kodorniu”, “Ana de Codorniu”, “Non Plus Ultra”, “Gran Codorniu”.
- "Gonzales and Dubox" - produces an excellent product "Juan Perico".
- "Hill" - is the producer of the drink "Reserve Oro Brut Cava".
How to enjoy cava?
This drink should not only be drunk, but also enjoy. To get started, pick up a great company in which you feel comfortable. Equally important is the snack. Fruits, seafood, caviar and various cheeses are ideal for this wine.
The drink is served chilled. It is poured into tall transparent glasses shaped like a tulip or flute. So the wine aroma will remain longer. Through transparent glass, color is visible and the sizes of the bubbles are clearly distinguished, by which the quality of the drink is determined. Pour the cava into the glasses carefully so that the liquid flows down the walls. Do not pour all the way to the top.
What dishes are used with different wines?
Undoubtedly, Spanish wines are considered the best. Discussion of their taste can be continued indefinitely. It depends on the preferences of each person. But in Spain, they follow the traditions when drinking wine, each type of which is combined with one or another dish. So, for example, among the best aperitifs are called cava and sherry. Pink grapes are suitable for stewed vegetables. Dried fruits and meat dishes are washed down with cava, and paella, a traditional dish of the country of winemaking, is sherry.
When choosing alcohol, the basic rule should be observed: wine and dishes should not differ greatly in color. Therefore, it is better to use cheese and meat with red wine, and seafood with white wine.
Types of drinks in Spain
The classification of Spanish wines is a detailed system that may seem complicated at first glance. Built on a legislative basis, it inspires self-respect. So, the type of drink established by the law on vineyards and wines is influenced by its quality and place of origin. So, the wines of Spain are:
1. Dining rooms. Several grape varieties are used to produce these drinks. However, this category may include non-branded aperitifs. This is the lowest level of classification, therefore, the requirements for them are minimal. As a result, the range of products is very wide. Table wine in Spain can be bought at bottling, packaged in paper bags or expensive bottles.
2. Vintage (quality), which are divided, depending on the place of origin, into:
- wines with special names that are not a brand;
- drinks with brand names;
- wines of unique importance due to the limited territory in which they are produced.
How to distinguish good Spanish wine from bad
Wines containing bubbles are sparkling and sparkling. They are distinguished according to pressure. In a bottle with real champagne, the pressure should be 5-6 atmospheres. The best Spanish sparkling wines are naturally saturated with bubbles that are the result of fermentation. Effervescent wines are generally sweetened and carbon dioxide is artificially introduced into them. Cheap fizzy drinks contain a wide variety of undesirable ingredients. Such wine should not be bought.
The best sparkling drink in Spain is considered kava - white or pink wine. It is produced in six regions of the country. What are the Spanish wines, depends on the grape variety used to make the drink. Good kava should be pale in color with a nutty flavor and a pleasant lemon aroma.
Wine list (Spain): list of wine brands
Spain is famous for winemaking, and Rioja is considered the most prestigious area. Here the local microclimate favorably affects the vineyards, formed under the influence of the Atlantic Ocean and the Ebro River, in the valley of which delicious grapes are grown. Its most successful variety is Tempranillo.
Penedès is Catalonia's foremost sparkling wine region. Its climate allows you to grow excellent grapes, which loves warmth and humidity. This is where Spanish sparkling wines are made. Kava.
The largest viticulture region in Europe is La Mancha. It is quite difficult to grow grapes here. Of the twelve months of the year, nine are in the winter. Therefore, not every cultivar will take root in such harsh climatic conditions. But this environment is suitable for Airen grapes, here it is grown on vast areas.
The Ribera del Duero region is famous for producing the most expensive luxury wines in Spain. Here, the climate itself has created all the conditions for the growth of high quality raw materials.
Spain Drinks
The best in the world is Spanish wine. Wines of Spain, the types of which are presented in the widest assortment, have thousands of names. Below we list some of them:
1. Rioja - the most recognized wine in Spain. Usually men, having gathered together three, offer to drink riohi. In fact, this title generalizes the very concept of the wine-making region, where wine of all varieties and denominations is produced. The region itself includes:
- the northwestern part, which is most affected by the Atlantic Ocean, which makes the climate cool;
- the southeastern zone, which occupies the territory in the Ebro River Valley (the climate here is hot and dry);
- the so-called piecewise territory, which was once a Basque country - the climate here is Mediterranean, but subordinated to the influence of the Atlantic.
2. Sherry - fortified Spanish wine. The wines of Spain cannot be imagined without this drink. In its production, a special technology is used, which involves the addition of alcohol. This drink is made from grapes harvested in September, which are placed in huge oak barrels (600 liters) for up to several months (for fermentation). During the winter, the wine is clarified, and poured into other containers of the same kind, which are placed in the cellar for aging for three years. They are put in tiers of four in each. As the drink ages, the barrels are rearranged from the upper tier to the lower. Wine is consumed only from the lower barrels. The most common variety of sherry is Fino. This is the whitest and always dry wine.
3. Sangria is produced with the addition of citrus essence and sparkling water to white or red wine, which by volume occupies 50%. The drink may contain pulp or zest.
4. Malaga is made using three types of wort, which is juice:
- stemming from ripe grapes;
- carefully squeezed;
- obtained during normal spin.
Each type of wort is fermented and aged separately. In addition, malaga is produced using simple wines. Such a sweet dessert drink based on white grapes is characterized by a large number of varieties, depending on the sugar content, color, strength. This wine is currently an endangered species. The fact is that it is made from indigenous grape varieties, and it, for the most part, died in the last century as a result of the phylloxera epidemic.
Pink wine
It is considered an unloved stepson. The population of Spain is ambiguous about a product of this color. Many consider it "unfinished." Although rosé wines are produced using the same technology as red wines. The only difference is that grape berries are cleared of the shells earlier. This is done so that they do not too intensely color the wine.
If you discard Spanish prejudices, you can fully enjoy and rosé wine, such as Rosado, using it chilled. This drink perfectly complements poultry, cold meat and various salads.
Varieties of grapes used to produce Spanish wines
In each region of Spain, those varieties of grapes are grown that produce the highest yields precisely on its lands. Most often, the following varieties of raw materials are used in the production of Spanish wines:
- Viura - its place of growth is Rioja and Navarra. The fruit contains a large amount of acid and alcohol. White grape wines are made from this grape.
- Airen is a variety of the most common white grape.
- Tempranillo - is the main wine berry in Rioja. The fruit has a very saturated black-violet color. It is cultivated not only in this region. But there this grape has a different name.
- Mairasia - considered one of the main varieties of white grapes. Catalonia and Rioja are the best places to grow it. Wines with a soft, delicate taste are produced from this variety of culture.
- Moscatel - refers to the oldest varieties. This grape is indispensable for making dessert wines.
What is the difference between pink and white wine?
Knowing everything about Spanish wines is simply impossible. But some knowledge is simply necessary, especially for those who are going to travel around Spain. So, pink wines have a pleasant aroma of strawberries and rose petals, they clearly feel the shade of spices. The best are those for the production of which amber grapes from Rioja and Tempranillo are used, which have the taste of ripe sweet cherries.
White wine is produced in Catalonia and has the aroma of alpine herbs and exotic fruits. A slightly citrus flavor is felt.