Growing stronger than ever, the Cava Academy celebrates the first 20 graduates of its face-to-face course

The aim of the Cava Academy Advanced Level Cava Educator Certificate course is to share the quality and diversity of Cava, together with its culture, tradition, landscapes and people.

Vilafranca del Penedès, 12 April 2022. The D.O. Cava has completed a successful first edition of the Cava Academy’s Advanced Level Cava Educator Certificate course. This exclusive training course, originating from the successful virtual version, offers the academic programme in a progressive, experiential format. It is the first specialised training course given in-person and awarded by the D.O. Cava.

The Advanced Level Cava Educator Certificate is the most prestigious training programme about Cava. On 7 and 8 April, the Cava region hosted a group of international prescribers from eight different countries to do this course. Among a total of 20 top-level professionals were several students from the Master of Wine Institute, WSET graduates and several official trainers from the Cava Academy online, as well as from other wine and sommelier schools from different territories.

The immersive journey of the Cava Educators-in-training towards the Cava Designation of Origin started at the Regulatory Council, with an introduction to the future of Cava, presented by Javier Pagés, president of the Cava D.O. This was followed by a talk on the new regulations from the Cava D.O. director of communications, Patrícia Correia, and lastly, a highly-anticipated and acclaimed blind tasting of 11 wines by Master of Wine David Forer.

“Cava has always held a special place in my heart. One of the most interesting things I have discovered about Cava is its versatility, and the possibility of
drinking it every day.”

The Advanced Level Cava Educator graduates studied a complete programme that combines training sessions in technical subjects, with visits to five wineries and vineyards, plus tastings of around 30 Cavas from different regions in the Designation of Origin.

“An excellent programme, well organised and offering a comprehensive vision of
everything that the Cava D.O. represents.”

The various visits allowed the students to exchange opinions with several winemakers and winegrowers. These producers participated in the meetings to show, in first person, the diversity, culture, tradition and high quality of Cava. In this way, the 20 alumni learned directly from knowledgeable professionals about a multitude of topics: the commitment to viticulture and sustainability that encompasses the territory and the categories of Guarda Superior; the art of coupage; the traditional method; and manual disgorgement. In addition, of course, they experienced the pleasure of Cava and its gastronomic versatility, accompanying any dish, or a complete and complex menu from start to finish.

"An absolutely brilliant course, with exactly the right balance between visits to vineyards and wineries, information and enjoyment, winemaking and tasting."

The Cava Academy Advanced Level Cava Educator Certificate course is a unique opportunity to hone your knowledge of the vineyard, the orography, the climate of the region, the technical aspects of Cava production, the art of tasting, and the diverse pairing options for this gastronomic and versatile quality sparkling wine.

"The Cava Academy was created with the aim of training genuine Cava experts as ambassadors, improving their experience and view of Cava in their fields of work - restaurants, training organisations, specialised shops, food and beverages, and other areas. They will communicate the excellence of Cava and its regions to new aficionados, building confidence by talking about this wine knowledgeably among the community
of Cava lovers around the world."

The Cava D.O. would like to thank all the participants for their keen interest in Cava, their proactive learning during the course, and the strong bonds and links that have been forged around Cava. It has been a real pleasure to be able to share the distinctive features and uniqueness of Cava bubbles with you!

We hope to offer a second edition of the Advanced Level Cava Educator Certificate course in the near future. The next editions will be announced on cavaacademy.com.

D.O. Cava, commitment to origin, land and sustainability

With more than 70% of international sales, Cava is the Spanish D.O. that exports the most. The Cava industry has over 38,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 6,800 winegrowers, and its 370 associated wineries are present in more than 100 countries. Cava, which pairs harmoniously with every type of gastronomy, is made using the traditional method, with a strict commitment to origin, land and sustainability.