Catalonia Flashcards
What French wine region lies across the Pyrenees from Catalonia?
Roussillon
True/False: Roussillon and Catalonia once were one region that split in the 17th Century.
True
How do DOCa and DOQ differ from one another?
DOCa - Denominación de Origen Calificada
DOQ - Donominación de Origen Qualificada
Catalan Spanish
From where does the region Priorat take its name?
Priorato de Scala Dei - a Carthusian monastery
True/False: Only red wines are produced in Priorat.
False. It’s red-dominant, but some white and rosado wines are made.
Name the two traditional red varietals for Priorat.
Garnacha
Cariñena
Describe the general soil type of Priorat.
Rocky, schist
What is “Llicorella”?
A soil that is a mix of black slate and quartzite
In what year did René Barbier plant vines in Priorat?
1979
For whom was René Barbier a wine maker?
Álvaro Palacios
Where specifically in Priorat did René Barbier plant in 1979
Gratallops
Describe the “Clos” wines project.
Cooperative between pioneers in Priorat - 1 wine made and sold under 5 labels.
Name the original 5 “Clos” wines.
Clos Mogador Clos Dofi Clos Erasmus Clos de l'Obac Clos Martinet
In what year did the “Clos” wines project split?
1991
Today, the 5 “Clos” wines are produced separately under what labels?
Clos Mogador Alvaro Palacios Clos Erasmus Costers del Siurana Mas Martinet
Name two other notable producers in Priorat not associated with the “Clos” wines.
Vall Llach
Scala Dei
What kind of climate characterizes Priorat?
A warm, Mediterranean climate
True/False: High alcohol is rare in Priorat wines.
False. It can be reach as high as 18%. Managing is key.
In what year was the Vino de Pueblo/Vino la Vila category introduced?
2009
How many villages are covered in the Vino de Pueblo category?
12
Name the villages covered by the Vino la Vila designation.
Belmont del Priorat Gratallops el Lloar La Morena de Montsant Poboleda Porrera Scala Dei Torroja del Priorat la Vilella Alta la Vilella Baixa Masos de Falset Solanes del Molar
True/False: Wines from Priorat labelled wth a village must be estate produced.
True
True/False: Montsant was once a sub zone of Tarragona
True
In what year did Montsant gain DO status?
2002
What are the primary red varietals of Montsant DO?
Garnacha
Cariñena
For what style of wine was Tarragona DO historically known?
Rancio/mistela
What is the biggest market for Tarragona DO?
Communion wine for Christian churches
Where is Terra Alta DO in relation to Tarragona DO?
Southwest
Where is Conca de Barberá in relation to Tarragona DO?
North, and adjacent
What DO region spans non-contiguous areas between Tarragona DO and Somontano DO?
Costers del Segre DO
How many zones are covered by the Costers del Segre DO?
8
Name the zones covered by Costers del Segre DO.
Pallars Jussà Artesa de Segre Valls du Riucorb Segrià Garrigues Urgell Raïmat
Which of the zones of Costers del Segre is the smallest?
Raïmat
Where is Penedès DO in relation to Tarragona DO?
North, along the Catalan Coast
Into how many zones is Penedès divided, and based on what criteria?
3 zones; altitude
Name the zones of Penedès DO.
Baix-Penedès
Medio-Penedès
Alt-Penedès
Which of the zones of Penedès is particularly well suited to the Parellada grape?
Alt-Penedès
About what percentage of all Cava wines are produced in Penedès?
95%
Name 3 Spanish varietals that form the backbone of the traditional Cava blend.
Parellada
Xarel-lo
Macabéo
In Medio-Penedès, Tempranillo is known as…?
Ull de Llebre
Name two red grapes that thrive in Baix-Penedès and briefly explain why.
Garnacha (Garnatxa)
Monastrell
Hot Mediterranean climate favors thicker skinner, heat loving varieties
Who introduced Método Tradicional to Spain, and in what year?
Jose Raventós, 1872
Who is the largest producer of sparkling wine in the world?
Freixenet
Subirat is more commonly known by what other name?
Malvasia
Name 4 red varieties that are permitted under Cava DO.
Pinot Noir
Garnacha Tinta
Monastrell
Trepat
What period of lees aging is required for basic Cava DO bottlings?
9 months
Cava Reserva must age on lees for how long?
15 months
Cava Gran Reserva is aged on lees for what length of time?
30 months
True/Fase: Cava DO is the only Denominación de Origen that covers a style, not a place.
True
What symbol will appear on all corks from Cava DO wines?
A four-point star
Name two producers that are preserving Malvasia de Sitges
Vega de Ribes
Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista
Malvasia de Sitges is produced in which region of Penedès?
Baix-Penedès
In what style of wine is Malvasia de Sitges produced?
Sweet, fortified
In Alella DO, Xarel-lo is known by what other name?
Pansà Blanca
Empordá DO is closest to what French wine appellation?
Banyuls (Roussillon)
What is the primary style of wine produced in Empordá, and what varietal is it based on?
Rosado wines
Cariñena
Where is Pla de Bages DO?
NW of Penedès
What is the overarching denominación for wines produced in Catalonia?
Catalunya DO
What islands lie east of the Catalan Coast?
The Balearic Islands
Name the two denominaciónes of the Balearic Islands.
Pla i Llevant DO
Binissalem Mallorca DO
Name one white and one red indigenous varietal found in the Balearic Islands
White - Moll (Prensal Blanc)
Red - Manto Negro
