The regions which make Cava
Cava is a premium sparkling which comes from Spain. In total over thirty-seven thousand hectares of vines are registered in the Cava D.O. in 5,874 holdings. In total, this produced 219,500,000 KG of grapes in 2024. Around 200 producers, 143 base wine producers and 17 Integral producers are spread across the various Cava regions, and contribute to the massive 218 million bottles produced each year. By far the most planted grape varieties are Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada, but in total 9 varieties are permitted.
In the last 10 years the area registered for Cava production has risen by around 12% adding and additional 4,177 hectares. Despite this growth, demand for Cava still outstrips supply. A relatively recent development has been the increase in organically produced Cava. This has been driven by the D.O. in part, with their focus on Superior quality wines becoming 100% organic.
The four main Zones of Cava
Cava originated south of the Penedés in the area around San Sadurní d’Anoia. This town was producing cava as early as 1872. Not surprisingly the broader zone of Camtats de Barcelona is where 95% of Cava production is based. However, this is not the only area in which Cava can be produced, there are in fact four zones in total which are geographically distributed throughout Spain.
Comtats de Barcelona
This large Cava producing region is located in Catalonia which lies in the Northern and Eastern part of spain, close to the Mediterranean coast line, and near to the city of Barcelona. As such the climate is mostly a Mediterranean one, with extended hours of sunshine and fairly warm temperatures. It has a long summer season which allows the grapes to fully ripen. It is also characterised by valleys and depressions which facilitate the growing of grapes at different altitudes and aspects. This region is sub-divided into five sub-regions each with their own characteristics.
Serra de Mar
The Serra de Mar is the most Easterly sub regions in this zone and sits in close proximity to the Mediterranean sea. It has a typical Mediterranean climate. The sea water provides some thermal inertia and the Serralada de Marina mountains provide some protection from cold northerly winds in the winter season. Soils here are sandy and well drained and it is thought that they provide the grapes with higher natural acidity which supports their ability to produce aged wines. This area is dominated by the Xarel-lo grape variety.
Vallas d’Anoia-Foix
Moving West from Serra de Mar and the city of Barcelona, we come to the Valls d’Anoia-Foix sub-region. Essentially this area sits in a valley between the Massís del Garraf by the coast and the precoastal mountains. It benefits from gentle slopes, as well as some small hills. This sub region is also protected from the north winds, which helps create a temperate climate. Some of the vineyards can be at high as 750m above sea level. Parellada benefits from these higher altitudes, whereas Macabeo thrives better in the valleys. Xarel-lo is grown more towards the coast.
Conca del Gaià
The Conca del Gaià sub region continues to follow the coast line westward from the Valls d’Anoia-Foix, towards the town of Tarragona. This region benefits from the river Gaià, as well as some tempering of the climate by the sea breeze. Typically this area experiences mild winters and hot summers. This sub region is a plateau which is open to the sea, and sloping gently higher in altitutde towards the coastal mountains. All three varieties can be found here, and altitudes range from around 100 to 400m.
Serra de Prades
Heading inland, nestled behind the Conca del Gaià, lies the Serra de Prades. This area is made up of a river basin surrounded by mountatins. Here the climate transitions towards a more continental climate, but still maintains some Mediteranean influence. Ranges between daytime and night time temperatures get larger and the altitudes are typically a little higher, ranging from 350 – 600m. This provides the ideal climate for growing Trepat grapes, as well as Macabeau and Parellada. White grapes here take on the characteristics of grapes grown in cold climates, whereas Trepat grapes from here make fruity wines.
Pla de Ponent
Moving even further inland from Serra de Prades, we find Pla de Ponent. Here the continental influence is greater, and the maritime climatics influences are less pronounced. Temperates are generally warm, the hours of sunshine are long and temperatures ranges over the course of the day are more varied. Altitudes here are between 200 and 400m, but the region itself is broadly flat with some gentle variations. This region can also experience ice and fog in winter. Here we can find plantations of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Xarel-lo.
The Ebro Valley
The Ebro Valley is the furthest North part of the Cava D.O. and centres around the river Ebro. The Ebro river is the only Spanish river which eventually ends up in the Mediterranean. As a result of being further inland the zone has a temperate continental climate with colder winters and hot dry summers. The Ebro Valley also takes in parts of Rioja where Tempranillo and Garnacha are produced for the iconic Rioja wines. This zone is fruther subdivded into two.
The Alto Ebro
Given its position, one of the major features of this region is that it is where the Atlantic and Mediterranean climates meet. Fortunately, this provides ideal growing conditions for vines as it creates a mild climate with moderate rainfall. This region sits around 600m altitude and is sheltered to both the North and the South by mountains which protect the area from cloud and heavy rain. Given this is shared territory with Rioja, it is not surprising that Garnacha Tinta thrives here. Alongside it we can find Macabeu and Chardonnay.
Valle del Cierzo
The Valley del Cierzo sits inland at a similar altitutde to the Alto Ebro (c. 600m). However, this area experiences a more continental climate – cold winters and hot summers, and high diurnal range. The Valley has given its name to the “Cierzo”, a cool, dry and strong wind that contributes to maintaining and dry climate. Here we find Macabeu and Garnacha Tinta varieties.
Viñedos de Almendralejo
This zone sits in the South-Western part of Spain, close to the border with Portugal. This area is largely flat and sits between 200 and 400m altitutde. The climate here is moderate and relatively dry with high summer temperatures and temperate winters. This zone also experiences the Viento Solano wind, a warm wind which keeps the area warm. The varieties which thrive here at Macabeu, Paralleda and Subirat Parent. The lack of rainfall gives the grapes from here a distinctive flavour profile.
The Requena Zone
This zone sits within the Valencia province and lies between the Mediterranean Sea and the Catilian Meseta. It sits on a small inland plateau at relative high altitude (600 – 900m) and it rounded in shapes. This area has a dry meso-mediterranean climate, with strong continental influence as it lies around 70km inland from the sea. The contrast in temperature between day and night is high, and this area experiences long, cold winters. Here the Macabeu, Garnacha Negra and Chardonnay grapes thrive.
As we have seen, despite Cava originating in the area around Barcelona, the Designation of Origin (D.O.) also includes several other zones which are spread throughout Spain. Both within and between these zones there are climatic, altitudinal and weather variations which influence both the type of grapes which are grown, and the characteristics they take on.
Of course another factor which influences the flavour profile of the grapes is the soil types. Generally, the soils in the cava zones are a mix of calcereous clay, limestone and alluvial deposits. Calcereous clay tends to offer retention of water, while limestone will add minerality to the grapes. Alluvial deposits are generally thoughts to have an impact on drainage and the vigor of the vines.
In the rest of this series we will uncover the distinctive features of Cava, exploring the styles in which Cava is made. Hopefully you will discover why Cava is so beloved in Spain. And in the meantime, keep on exploring this beautiful planet we live on, one glass at a time.