Decanter World Wine AwardsRaventos i Blanc to quit Cava appellation
- Wednesday 14 November 2012
Raventos' manager, Pepe Raventos, this week announced plans to adopt a new and un-certified regional appellation designation, named 'Conca Del Riu Anoia', after the end of this month.
'We want to recover the Conca del Riu Anoia, the name of a small geographical area, to help us to better understand and convey our viticultural traditions, the strength of our land and the characteristics of our soils, ' he said.
Albet I Noya, current president of the Regulatory Council of Penedes, told Decanter.com that the decision by Raventos indicated a growing crisis of confidence amongst Cava producers in the region.
'Since last week, nine producers have asked to leave the Cava DO. I also understand that six more wineries – some of which are key producers - are planing to leave the appellation in the future, but unfortunately I am not authorised to give out their names at the moment.'
He said that many wineries across Penedes had decided to focus on building individual sparkling wine brands, as Cava's global brand image was primarily associated with cheap, low-quality wine.
In order to combat the growing crisis, Albet has advised making significant changes to the appellation rules, including increasing the minimal time the wine is in contact with the lees from 12 to 15 months.
'We need to emphasise that Cava is a high quality, unique product,' Albet said.
Have your say!
Lluís G. RIbalta
November 29 08:42
The problem of Cava is that it is not a DO "per se"; meaning that anyone around Spain that decides to produce a Sparkling Wine with determnied methods (usage of grapes, méthode champenoise, cava aging, etc.)is granted to show Cava on their bottles.
The big guys in this industry have thrown millions of cheap cavas to the international market and now, in general terms the international consumer (not connaisseurs) perceives Cava as just a cheap Spanish Champagne... this makes more difficult for great catalan winemakers such as Raventós i Blanc, Recaredo, Gramona, Torelló, etc. to introduce their wonderful sparkinling wines in the international market at a proper price.
Most part of the Cava is produced in the Catalan regions of Penedès -especially Sant Sadurní d'Anoia-, Empordà and other areas. Wine DO's are smaller than Cava and more logic.
Wine making is about terroir, weather, production methods, grapes... CAVA DO is not really about that.
I completely support Raventós i Blanc's decision... I hope it helps to show the world great Sparkling wines!
Chicago Pinot
November 18 02:55
Feel free to flame me.
I am relatively new to this wine thing.
I don't understand the entire concept of AOP's, or whatever the acronym is in your country.
I am all for local peer pressure to preserve local wine traditions and standards. Once a federal government gets involved, I am sorry, but that's when I exit the bus.
Call me the Ron Paul of wine, and I won't object.
Any grape, any place, any method, and let the public sort out via their buying practices, what they like. That's my MO.
Break up all the AOC laws now. They are as much about politics and marketing as they are about wine honesty.
Erika Tocco, wine director,sommelier
November 15 19:19
Cava's wine image is based on the wines that were created under this DO and not all necessarily reflect an image these days of cheap and cheerful. Producers who want to make cheap wine have to contend with that image. Cava in my opinion, gives "great value for money" and there are many great examples out there that reflect a whole range of styles under one wine "umbrella".
While I think it is beneficial to reclaim lost wine heritage, perhaps Spain could take the lead of France (Rhone/Village) and attach the names of recognized areas of origin on bottles under the Cava DO? That way we can recognize and preserve both at the same time.
K D Laroche
November 15 16:12
Sergi Colet in Pacs del Penedes did the same thing years ago.