Spanish Grapes

Xarel·lo / Xarello

Xarel·lo is a white grape of Spanish origin specially grown in Catalonia.

It is one of the 3 main grapes used to make the sparkling wine Cava.

Spanish Sparkling

In Spain, Sparkling wine is called Cava, which means "Cellar".

Cava used to be called "Spanish Champagne", but this is no longer permitted in EU, since Champagne is a protected French name.

95 % of all Cava is made in the Penedès wine region in Catalonia, but Cava DO (Denominación de Origen) is not region based. Cava can be made anywhere in Spain, as long as it follows the DO production rules.

Cava is an important part of the Catalan and Spanish tradition. It is consumed at any celebration (baptisms, marriages, banquets, dinners, and parties).

Cava Production Method

The production method is the same as for Champagne, but with main grapes:

Macabeu
Parellada
Xarel-lo

The official hierarchy of Cava DO is:

Cava - aged for 9 months
Cava Riserva - aged for 18 months
Cava Gran Riserva - aged for 30 months

Much like French Champagne, different categories are produced: White or Rosé, Cava Brut (dry) or Cava Dulce (sweet), mono-varietal cuvées or prestige blends.

Grapes Allowed in Cava

Macabeo (Viura)	The backbone of Cava. Gives fruit, acidity, and freshness to the blend. It needs the higher elevation Penedès for top-quality fruit.
Parellada	Gives freshness and perfume to the blend. It grows best in cooler sites like Macabeo to maintain the acidity in the warm summer months.
Xarel-lo	Produces an excellent base wine with high levels of natural preservatives (resveratrol). Cavas intended for ageing are produced with 60% Xarel-lo in the blend.
Chardonnay	Can deliver fresh and aromatic Blanc de Blanc wines fro higher-altitude vineyard.
Pinot Noir	Produces some top level Blanc de Noir Cavas (100% Pinot Noir) from some high elevation vineyards in Catalonia.
Garnacha	Used to make rich and full-bodied Rosé Cavas with deep colour and spicy flavors.
Monastrell	Basically used producing Rosé Cavas with moderate acidity.
Trepat	Ideal for making Rosé Cavas with intense colour, moderate alcohol and balanced acidity.
Subirat Parent	Malvasía from La Rioja. Used for making Dulce and Semi Dulce Cava.