Catalonia Flashcards
Why is Catalonia considered a leader in modernism in winemaking in Spain?
- First part of Spain to see stainless steel
- In 1960s Miguel Torres brought stainless steel and temperature controlled fermentations to Catalonia
- First sparkling wines made here
Why does Catalonia share a lot of common culture and lineage with Rousillon
- Right on the border of Rousillon
- Catalonia and Rousillon split in the 17th Century when the King of Spain ceded Rousillon to France
What are the DOs of Catalonia from East to West?
(East to West ish)
Catalunya DO
Empordà DO
Pla de Bages DO
Alella DO
Penedès DO
Cava DO
Costers del Segre DO
Conca de Barberà DO
Tarragona DO
Montsant DO
Priorat DOQ
Terra Alta DO
Who is Rene Barbier?
Winemaker for Clos Magador
How did Priorat get its name?
From Priorato de Scala Dei -A Carthusian monastery founded on the site of a boy’s vision of angels ascending to heaven
What grapes are authorized for Priorat?
Blanc: Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu, Pedro Ximénez, Chenin Blanc, Moscatell d’Alexandria, Moscatell de Gra Petit, Xarel·lo, Picapoll, Viognier
Negre: Recommended: Garnatxa Negre (Grenache), Carinyena/Samsó (Carignan)
Authorized: Garnatxa Peluda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo), Pinot Noir, Syrah, Merlot, Picapoll Negre (Puntxó Fort)
What is another name for Tempranillo in Priorat?
Ull de Llebre
Where is Picapoll Negre found?
Priorat, Catalunya
-Also known as Puntxó Fort
What is the soil of Priorat?
- Rock-strewn schist soils
- Llicorella: a mix of black slate and quartzite (in the best vineyards)
Who was the first to plant a mix of local and French vines in the llicorella soils of Gratallops in Priorat?
Rene Barbier
Who did Barbier make wine for originally?
Alvaro Palacios
What were the 5 original “Clos” wines of Priorat?
Clos Mogador
Palacios’ Clos Dofi
Clos Erasmus
Clos de l’Obac
Clos Martinet
-all released as Vino de Mesa
Who founded Costers del Siurana (Clos l’Obac)?
Carles Pastrana
(Clos l’Obac)
Who produced Clos de l’Obac?
Carles Pastrana
What is the climate of Priorat?
Warm, Mediterranean
What is Vino de Pueblo
Also known as Vi de Vila in Catalan
-for estate-grown wines from 12 villages including Gratallops
-est 2009
What 12 villages can append their names to Priorat from North to South?
La Morera de Montsant
Escaladei
Poboleda
La Vilella Alta
La Vilella Baixa
Torroja del Priorat
Porrera
El Lloar
Gratallops
Solanes del Molar
Bellmunt del Priorat
Masos de Falset
What does Vi de Vila mean?
Village
-Village wines are released under the village name followed by “Vi de Vila” on the label
In Priorat, what percentage of the blend must be present in the wine in order for the wine to be labeled by authorized grape variety?
Minimum 85%
What is the Vin del Finca classification in Priorat?
- Single vineyard, independent of Vi de Vinya
- 100% Sourced from designated parcel. Only allowed for wines that also qualify for Catalan “Vi de Finca”.
What is the Vi de Paratge classification in Priorat?
100% Sourced from a single zone.
What is the Vi de Vinya Classificada classification in Priorat?
Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines by the Consell.
What is the Vi de Gran Vinya Classificada classification in Priorat?
Top-Quality vineyard designation given to single parcel wines by the Consell.
What is the Velles Vinyes classification in Priorat in Priorat?
Vineyard designation given to vineyards planted prior to 1945 (75 year old vines)
Who established Mas Martinet in Priorat?
Jose Luis Perez
Who establised Clos Erasmus in Priorat?
Daphne Glorain
Who established Finca Dofi and L’Ermita in Priorat?
Alvaro Palacios
What protects Priorat from the Northwest?
The Sierra de Montsant
-a long ridge of craggy outcrops
Why do vines in Priorat not need irrigation even though there is very little rainfall here and the climate is so warm?
The soils are unusually damp and cool
- The vine dig deep through the llcorella soil to find water
- The result in the best sites is low yields
Where is Carinena (Carignan) grown the most in Priorat?
In the North of the region around Torroja and Poboleda
What is Alvara Palacio’s L’Ermita vineyard famous for?
Ancient Garnacha planted in cooler, slower-ripening sites
What mountain range separates Catalonia and France? What region in France is closest?
- Pyrennes
- Rousillon
When did Priorat get DOCa?
2009
-recognized as DOQ in 2000….
Colors produced in Priorat? Grapes?
- MOSTLY red
- Garnacha, Samsó (Cariñena)
- white - garnacha blanca, macabeo, PX, moscatel, Xarel-lo -also rosado, vino rancio, mistela, VDN
Most important Vi de la Vila in Priorat?
-Gratallops
*where Barbier first planted mix of local and french wines leading to “5 Clos”
When was first wine from Clos of Priorat produced? When did Clos split to focus of separate production?
- 1989 -was cooperatively made and released under 5 labels
- Split in 1991 to do their own thing
Other notable Priorat producers (beyond clos).
- Vall Llach (scottish overlord….)
- Scala Dei
Min alcohol for wines from Priorat
Blanc: 13%
Rosado: 13%
Tinto: 13.5%
Vino Rancio/Vino Dulce Natural/Mistela: 15%
Donut shaped DO around Priorat?
Monsant DO
When did Montsant become a DO what was it a subzone of before?
2002 -subzone of Tarragona DO
Styles of Montsant
-“value alternative to Priorat”
Blanco / Blanc
Rosado / Rosat
Tinto / Negre
Vino Rancio / Vi Ranci: white or red authorized grapes (fortified)
Mistela (Blanca/Negra)
Garnatxa de Montsant: Vi de Licor (fortified)
Vino Dulce Natural / Vi Dolç Natural: Vi de Licor, min. must weight of 272 g/l (fortified)
Vimblanc: Vi de Licor, 100% Pansa (dried grapes, fortified)
Grapes of Montsant DO.
Blanco: Chardonnay, Garnatxa Blanca, Macabeu, Pansa Blanca (Xarel·lo), Moscatell de Gra Petit, Parellada
Tinto: Cabernet Sauvignon, Samsó/Carinyena (Carignan), Garnatxa Negre, Garnatxa Peluda, Merlot, Monastrell, Picapoll Negre, Syrah, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)
What is Pansa Blanca
-Xarel·lo in Montsant
-can make Vinblanc: Vi de Licor, 100% Pansa (dried grapes, fortified)
What was Tarragona DO historically known for? What is it currently most known for? What have many vineyards been replanted for?
-historically known for fortified
-now communion wine most substantial market!
-many replanted for white cava grapes
Where is Tarragona DO?
Larger region around Montsant (which is around Priorat) in Catalonia
Where is Terra Alta DO? Where is Conca de Barberá DO?
Terra Alta DO —SW of Tarragona
DO Conca de Barberá DO —N of Tarragona, between Costers del Segre to North West an Penedes to east
Where is Costers del Segre DO? What is most important subzone?
- non-contiguous -NW of Tarragona and Conca de Barbera between those and Somontano
- Raïmat is most important subzone
Why is Raïmat estate important?
-Integral to formation of Raïmat subzone in Costers del Segre DO -Manuel Raventós purchased the land when it was arid and fertile in 1914 and after reconstructing released 1st commercial vintage over 60 yrs later!
Where is Penedès DO?
Along Catalan coast, northeast of Tarragona
3 Altitude zones of Penedès: -best grapes for each
Baix-Penedès (sea level - 250 meters) —sturdier grapes like Garnacha and Monastrell —high alcohol red/rosado
Medio-Penedès (250 - 500 meters) —Ull de Llebre (tempranillo) Alt-Penedès - one of Europe’s highest growing regions (500 - 850 meters) —Parellada (Cava grape!)
Where is 95% of Cava produced?
Penedès! even though it has its own DO
Cava grapes
Blanco
-Recommended: —Parellada —Macabeu —Xarel·lo
-(Auth): Chardonnay, Malvasía
Tinto
–Pinot Noir –Monastrell –Garnatxa Negre –Trepat (may only be used for rosé)
Two producers in Baix-Penedès making historic Malvasia de Sitges as sweet fortified wine?
-Hospital de Sant Joan Baptista
-Vega de Ribes
What is Malvasia de Sitges?
-Sweet fortified wine of Malvasia de Sitges variety from Baix-Penedes.
What is the birthplace of Cava? Where is it?
-San Sadurní d’Anoia
—Jose Raventós of Codorníu introduced in 1872
-Alt-Penedès
Top two largest producers of Cava?
1 - Freixenet **world’s largest producer of sparkling wine!!
2 - Codorníu
Other producers of Cava.
Alta Alella
Raventos
Is more sparkling wine made in Cava or Champagne?
Cava! Most in the world!
Where did standard dosage levels found in Champagne originate? Any other tech?
-Cava!
-Gyropalatte
Aging reqs for Cava
-9 months on lees for basic bottling
-15 months for reserva
-30 months for gran reserva (Brut, Extra Brut, and Brut Nature only)
-min. 36 months on the lees for Cava de Paratge (Paraje)
What is the only Do in Spain that covers a style, not region
-Cava!
-but yes there are mapped regions that must fall inside.
If you see a cork with four pointed star, what is it probably?
Cava!
Where is Alella DO? Most known for?
-NE of Penedés, on coast
-Xarel-lo (known as Pansà Blanca) as still dry white or Cava blend (Garnatxa Blanca recommended)
red: Garnatxa Negra (Catalonia)
Where is Empordà DO? Most known for?
-NE corner of Spain, borders Banyuls!
-rosado from Cariñena
What Spanish DO boders Banyuls?
Empordà DO
Where is Pla de Bages DO? Most known for?
-North of Penedés, inland
-newer DO (2006)
-similar grapes to Penedés
-a derivative of Baachus, the Roman god of wine
What is the DO for all of Catalonia?
-Catalunya DO
-whole autonomia
-more freedom of blending and expression
Two DO zones of Balearic islands autonomia?
-Pla i Llevant
-Binissalem Mallorca
Styles of Binissalem Mallorca
Blanco (Blanc): min. 50% Moll (Prensal Blanco) OR min. 50% Muscat varieties
Rosado (Rosat): max. 30% Gorgollassa
Tinto (Negre): min. 30% Manto Negro, max. 30% Gorgollassa
Vino Espumoso (Escúmos): min. 50% Moll along with Parellada, Macabeo, Chardonnay, and Giró Ros for white sparkling wines, max. 30% Gorgollassa for rosé sparkling wines
Main Grapes:
White: Moll (Prensal Blanco)
Rose: Gorgollassa
Red: Manto Negro, Gorgollasa
Sparkling: Moll, Gorgollassa (rosé)
Styles of Pla i Llevant
Blanco
Rosado
Tinto
Vino de Licor
Vino de Aguja (semi-sparkling)
Vino Espumoso
Grapes of Pla i Llevant
Blanco: Moscatel, Moll (Prensal Blanco), Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Riesling
Tinto: Callet, Fogoneu, Tempranillo, Manto Negro, Monastrell, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, Pinot Noir
Where is Balearic islands autonomia? What culture related to?
-Island of Majorca in Balearic Sea
-closley related to Catalan culture
What was the second region to be promoted to DOCa?
Priorat
What styles of wine can be produced in Priorat DOCa?
Blanco / Blanc Rosado / Rosat Tinto / Negre Vino Rancio / Vi Ranci (Tinto and Blanco, not fortified) Mistela (Tinto and Blanco) Vino Dulce Natural / Vi Dolç Natural: Vino de Licor, min. must weight of 320 g/l
What was Monstant DO known as before 2002?
Montsant was previously a subzone of Tarragona DO, called “Falset”
What are the sweetness levels of Cava and what are the ranges of sugar for each level?
Brut Nature: 0-3 g/l Extra Brut: 0-6 g/l Brut: 0-12 g/l Extra Dry (Extra Seco): 12-17 g/l Dry (Seco): 17-32 g/l Semi-Dry (Semi-Seco): 32-50 g/l Sweet (Dulce): 50+ g/l
What are the three main climatic zones of Alella DO?
Coastal area - grenacha blanca
Intermediate zona - Pansá Blanca (xarel-lo), pansa rosado, garnacha, and ull de llebre (tempranillo)
Valles region - pansá blanca, and international varieties
Traditionally, what style of wine was Alella known for up until the 80’s?
semi-sweet white wine
What is the main town of Conca de Barberá?
Montblanc
Two thirds of Conca de Barberá’s vineyards are planted to what?
macabeo, parellada, and some chardonnay
What are the recommended white grapes for Pla de Bages?
Macabeo
Chardonnay
Picapoll Blanc
Parellada
What are the recommended red grapes for Pla de Bages?
Cabernet Sauvignon
Garnatxa Negra
Merlot
Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)
Sumoll Negre
Name a Priorat producer still making wine in the old priory cellars?
Scaladei
What is the name of the river that runs through Priorat?
Siurana (a tributary if the Ebro river)
Which grape occupies the most vineyard space in Priorat?
cariñena
75% of the Cava made in Penedés comes from which town?
Sant Sadurní
When was the first effort made to regulate Cava production?
1959 - with the creation of the Cava Denominación Especifica (DE)
Where is Vall Llach located?
Producer of Priorat
What variety thrives in Medio-Penedès?
Ulle de Llebre (Tempranillo)
What estate did Manuel Raventós purchase arid, inferntile land for in 1914?
Raïmat
What are the sub-zones of Costers del Segre?
- Pallars Jussá
- Artesa de Segre
- Valls do Riucorb
- Segrià
- Garrigues
- Urgell
- Raïmat
Where and when was Cava born?
- 1872
- Josep Raventos
- San Sadurní d’Anoia
What autonomía is Tierra Alta DO in?
Catalonia
Who is the largest producer of sparkling wine in the world? Who is the 2nd?
- Freixenet
- Codorníu
What is mistela?
Spanish version of vin de liqueur
Historically, what style were the wines of Tarragona DO?
Rancio or Mistela (Spanish vin de liqueur)
What autonomía is Costers del Segre DO in?
Catalonia
What autonomía is Conca de Barberá DO in?
Catalonia
What variety is perfectly suited for Alt-Penedès?
Parellada
What two producers are perpetuating Malvasia de Sitges in Baix-Penedès? What style of wine?
- Vega de Ribes
- The charity Hospital de Sant Joan Baptiste
-As a sweet fortified wine
Generally speaking, what is the difference between Cava DO, Corpinnat and Classic Penedes?
-DO Cava focuses on the winemaking process
-Corpinnat spotlights the best producers
-Clàssic Penedès highlights the region.
What is Classic Penedes?
Sparkling wine made by traditional or ancestral method from organic grapes, min. 3.5 bars of pressure
What is Corpinnat?
Representing premium Spanish sparkling wine producers, 2017 EU approval gave Corpinnat (meaning ‘Heart of Penedès’) the use of a visual trademark for its 11 members.
Corpinnat appears on the front label and is a guarantee of the entire production process, from certified organic viticulture to estate vinification, aging, and bottling.
List 4 producers of Corpinnat.
Mas Candi
Pardas
Julia Bernet
Nadal
