Pinot Noir allowed for white Cava
Pinot Noir will become a permitted grape variety for making white Cava from the 2007 vintage. Growers in Spain already have a significant amount of the grape since it has been allowed for use in the sparkling rosés since 1998.
Opinion over its inclusion has been divided, according to Luis Marco from the Consejo Regulador del Cava, the regulating body. Some producers are defending the use of local varieties, while others are defending the use of new ones, he said.
At Codorniu, which has the largest planting of Pinot Noir grapes in Spain, the news was very welcome, UK Marketing Manager Jo Maclean told ThirtyFifty. She said, 'We will use Pinot in selected white Cavas to add structure and flavour.' She added that, 'I am excited about this for the UK market as it will give Codorniu Cavas another point of difference from other Cavas.'