20.6 Spain - Catalunya Flashcards
What city provides a large local market for the consumption of Catalunya’s wines?
Barcelona
What are three (of 11) DOs within Catalunya (excluding the broad Catalunya DO itself)
1) Montsant DO
2) Penedes DO
3) Costers del Segre DO
What is the one DOCQ of Catalunya?
Priorat
What is Vi de Finca?
Catalunya’s scheme for exceptional wines from single estates.
What is Catalunya DO?
The widely used DO for grapes sourced from across the region including international varieties
Why might it be preferable for Catalunya DO to be used on a label than, say, Penedes DO?
Catalunya has better recognition in export markets
What are the three local varieties of Penedes?
1) Xarel-lo
2) Macabeo
3) Parellada
What are the most planted white and black international grape varieties in Penedes? (2)
1) Chardonnay
2) Merlot
What are the three climatic zones of Penedes running from the coast to further inland?
1) Penedes Maritim
2) Penedes Central
3) Penedes Superior
What is Penedes’ general climate and why?
1) Mediterranean
2) Warm without temperature extremes due to low altitude and close proximity to the sea
What wines are common of Penedes Maritim?
Full-bodied red wines from Monastrell
To what altitude are Penedes Central’s vineyards planted?
Low to 500m
To what altitude are Penedes Superior’s vineyards planted?
500-800m
What four white varieties are found in Penedes Superior?
Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Gewurz
What black grape variety might be seen in Penedes Superior?
Pinot Noir
Why might Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewurz thrive in Penedes Superior?
Altitude and diurnal range
May irrigation be used in Penedes?
Yes in cases of vine stress with the authorisation of the Con. Reg
What are the general soil characteristics of Penedes?
Loamy with some calcareous components that hold sufficient water during the growing season
Where is 65% of Penedes wines consumed?
Domestically
Describe a typical Penedes wine (white or red)
Fermented with short maturation in stainless steel for a clean, fruit, early drinking wines.
What is the climate of Priorat? (3)
1) Warm continental
2) Hot days, cool nights
3) Hot summers, cold winters
Why is the climate of Priorat the way it is?
It is protected in the north (from cold winds) and south (from the Med) by mountain ranges
In what two instances is irrigation permitted in Priorat?
1) To establish young vines
2) In the driest years
What is the river that runs through Priorat, and what effect does it have?
1) Siurana
2) Creates a range of altitudes and aspects
Name one of the three wineries that helped five Priorat’s reputation during the 1990s
Clos Mogador
What is the local Priorat term for slopes?
Costers from 5-60% gradient
Why are narrow terraces common in Priorat’s vineyards? (3)
1) Due to the gradient
2) To reduce soil erosion
3) To reduce surface run-off of rain
To what altitude does Priorat extend?
100-750m
What is llicorella?
The local term for the common slate-based soils of Priorat
What are three advantages of llicorella?
1) Thin
2) Low in nutrients
3) Mica reflects light and heat onto the vines
What aspect of Priorat’s geology allows vines to penetrate deep in search of water? Hint: same as in Douro
The bedrock of slate splits into vertical layers rather than horizontal
Priorat’s yields can be as low as 5hL/ha. Why? (2)
1) Old vines
2) Low nutrient/water levels
What is the maximum yield of Priorat?
39 hL/ha
What are the two traditional local varieties of Priorat?
1) Garnacha
2) Carinena
How might a traditional Priorat be made in the winery? (3)
1) Basket press
2) Large oak fermentation
3) 1-2 year maturation in French oak
Why are cultured yeasts favoured in Priorat?
They can reliably ferment the high sugar grapes to dryness in a controlled period
What are Priorat’s four classifications based on where grapes are grown and how do they loosely correspond to Burgundy?
1) Vi de Vila - 1/12 sub-zones
2) Vi de Paratge - lieu dit
3) Vinya Classificada - cru
4) Gran Vinya Classificada - grand cru
The majority of Montsant DOs vineyards are where within the region?
Towards the south where the land flattens to the lower valley of the River Ebro
What is the climate of Montsant DO?
More Mediterranean than Priorat due to proximity to the coast with less extreme summers and winters
In which two seasons does most rain fall in Montsant?
Winter and spring
Describe the soils of Montsant (2)
1) Patches of llicorella in the south with higher limestone content in the north and east
2) More fertile than Priorat
Where is Montsant DO situated?
Surrounding Priorat
What are the three primary black varieties of Montsant DO?
Garnacha, Carinena, Tempranillo
Name a significant producer of Montsant DO
Celler de Capcanes
What is the general wine style of Montsant?
Similar to Priorat i.e. Garnacha, Carinena in French oak with some Tempranillo allowed
What is the climate of Costers del Segre DO?
Continental being towards the north of Catalunya and away from the Mediterranean
What are the soils of Costers del Segre DO?
Sandy and free-draining
What is the altitude of Costers del Segre?
200-700m
Is irrigation permitted in Costers del Segre DO?
Yes, and often required due to sandy soils and low rainfall
Name a significant producer in Costers del Segre
Raimat
What is the general wine style of Costers del Segre?
Fresh, fruity and early drinking from Garnacha, Temp and Merlot, Cab
