Catalonia Flashcards
What French region was Catalonia split from in the 17th century, only separated by the Pyrenees Mountains.
Roussillon
What was the second region in Spain to be promoted to DOCa?
Priorat DOCa (or DOQ in Catalan 2009
From what does Priorat derive its name?
Priorato de Scala Dei
- a cathusian monastary (priory)
- founded on a boy’s vision of angels ascending to heaven
What are the 2 traditional varieties of Priorat?
- Garnacha
- Cariñena
What is Llicorella?
a mix of black slate and quartzite that characterized the best vineyards of Priorat
What are the 5 original “Clos” wines of Priorat?
Barbier's Clos Mogador Palacios' Clos Dofi Clos Erasmus Clos de l'Obac Clos Martinet
The founder of Costers del Siurana, Carles Pastrana, produced which “Clos” wine?
Clos de l’Obac
Name 2 other major Priorat Producers.
Vall Llach
Scala Dei
True or False:
French barrique treatment in various shades is used in Priorat.
True
What is the climate of Priorat?
Warm, Mediterranean
-grapes can ripen to a potential alcohol of 18%
What is “Vino de Pueblo”?
-A Priorat village category established in 2009 for estate-grown wines from 12 villages.
What are the 12 villages of Priorat
- La Morera de Monsant
- Gratallops
- Bellmunt del Priorat
- Escaladei
- Porrera
- Poboleda
- La Viella Baixa
- La Viella Alta
- El Lloar
- Masos del Terme de Faslet
- Solanes del Terme de El Molar
- Torroja del Priorat
What phrase follows the name of the village on Priorat village wine labels?
“Vi de la Vila”
Priorat DOCa is almost completely surrounded by which DO?
Monsant DO
-Garnacha, Cariñena
True or False:
Monsant DO was once a subzone of Tarragona DO.
True, until 2002
What style of wine is Tarragona DO?
Generally fortified, “rancio” or “mistela”.
What is a “mistela”?
the Spanish version of Vin de Liqueur
Today, much of the vineyard area of Tarragon has been converted to what?
white varieties for Cava
What DO is southwest of Tarragona?
Terra Alta DO
What DO is adjacent to northern Tarragona?
Conca de Barbera DO
What are the 7 subzones of Costers del Segre DO?
Pallars Jussia Artesa de Segre Valls du Ricorb Segria Garrigues Urgell Raimat
What is the smallest subzone of Costers del Segre DO?
Raimat
-houses an estate of the same name that was integral to the formation of that zone
What are the 3 distinct subzones of Penedes DO?
Baix-Penedes
Medio-Penedes
Alt-Penedes-perfectly suited to Parrellada
What percentage of Cava is produced in Penedes?
95%
What are Cava’s 4 authorized grape varietals?
Parellada
Xarel-lo
Macabeo
Chardonnay
What is “Ull de Llebre”? Where does it thrive?
Tempranillo
-it thrives in the Medio-Penedes
What grapes are planted in the Baix-Penedes?
Garnacha (Garntxa)
Monastrell
-sturdier Mediterranean grapes
-producing high alcohol red and rosado wines
Name the 2 producers of the Baix Penedes that perpetuate the historic specialty of “Malvasia de Sitges”?
- Vega de Ribes
- Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista
What is Malvasia de Sitges?
A historic specialty of Penedes
-sweet fortified wine that has received the slow food “presidia” status.
What is San Sadurni d’Anoia?
the birthplace of Cava in Alt-Penedes
Who is the world’s 2nd largest producer of sparkling wine?
Codorniu
- founded by Jose Raventos in 1872
- 2nd in production to Freixenet
True or False:
The gyropalette originated in Spain
True
Cava DO wines may be produced from what 9 grape varietals?
Parellada Xarel-lo Macabeo Chardonnay Pinot Noir Garnacha Tinta Monastrell Trepat Malvasia (Subirat)
What are the aging requirements for Cava?
Lees aging:
Basic- 9 months
Reserva-15 months
Gran Reserva-30 months
What is on the cork of a Cava bottle?
a 4 pointed star
What is Xarel-lo known as in the Alella DO, to the northeast of Penedes?
Pansa Blanca
What DO borders Banyuls in Roussillon and what style of wine is its focus?
Emporda DO
- Cariñena rosados are its focus
- Garnacha and international varieties are also produced
What is “Pla de Bages”?
A derivative of Bacchus, the Roman God of Wine.
- a newer DO to the northwest of Penedes with similar grapes
- established in 2006
What does the Catalunya DO encompass?
The entire autonomia of Catalunya, covering wineries not included in more specific DO zones with more freedom of blending
What are the 2 DO zones of the Baleric Islands? Name 2 indegenous grapes.
Pla i Llevant DO
Binissalem Mallorca DO
-Manto Negro
-Moll (Prensal Blanc)
