Catalonia Flashcards
How many DOs and DOQs are there in Catalunya?
- 11 DOs
- 1 DOQ
What are the main regions in Catalunya?
- Priorat
- Costers del Serge
- Montsant
- Penedès
White grapes account for what percentage of all the grapes in Penedès ?
80%
What are the main white grapes grown in Penedes?
- Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Parellada
- Chardonnay
- Moscatel
- Gewurztraminer
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Riesling
What are the main red grapes grown in Catalunya?
- Merlot (most planted)
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Tempranillo
- Pinot Noir
- Syrah
- Monastrell
What are the 3 climatic zones of Penedès?
- Penedès Marítim
- Penedès Central
- Penedès Superior
What are the defining characteristics of the Penedès Marítim zone?
- Sits between the coast and the hills of the coastal ranges
- Low altitude
- Warm maritime climate
- Typically a source of full-bodied wines from late ripening grapes
What are the defining characteristics of the Penedès Central?
- Relatively flat plains between the coastal ranges and the inland mountains
- Vineyards get up too 500m, giving the region some cooling influence
What are the defining characteristics of the Penedès Superior?
- vineyards are between 500-800m
- large diurnal range
Can irrigation be used in Catalunya?
Yes, but only if the vines are suffering from water stress and the Consejo Regulador approves
List all of the DOs found in Catalunya?
- Alella DO
- Catalunya DO
- Cava DO
- Conca de Barbera
- Costers del Serge
- Emporda
- Montsant
- Penedès
- Pla de Bages
- Tarragona
- Terra Alta
What is the local name for Tempranillo in Penedès?
Ull de Llebre
How long has Priorat been making wine?
Since the 12th century
Who planted the first wines in Priorat?
The Carthusian monks
Who is credited with helping Priorat break out into the world stage?
Rene Barbier
What are the 5 wines that helped put Priorat on the map?
- Clos Mogador
- Clos Dofí
- Clos de L’Obac
- Clos Martinet
- Clos Erasmus
What is the climate for Priorat?
Warm Continental
What two mountain ranges protect Priorat?
- Serra de Montsant
- Serra de Llaberia
What is the name of the river that runs thru Priorat?
Siurana
What is the common soil type in Priorat?
Ilicorella, slate based soils
What two grapes make up the majority of the plantings in Priorat?
- Garnacha
- Cariñena
What are the three most planted international varieties planted in Priorat?
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
What are the two main white grapes used to make white wine in Priorat?
- Garnacha Blanca
- Macabeo
What are the four classifications of that Priorat wines can qualify for?
- Vi de Vila: must come from one of the 11 sub-zones
- Vi de Paratge: wines must come from a single paratge, or lieu-dit. There are 459 spread out across Priorat
- Vinya Classificada: A wine made from a single vineyard within a paratge; equivalent to a cru
- Vinya Gran Classificada: A wine made from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a paratge; equivalent to a Grand Cru
What are the requirements that producers in Priorat must meet to qualify for any of the four classifications?
- Must own the vineyard where the grapes are coming from, or have rented the land for at least 7 years
- Each classification has its own regulations in terms of vine age, Garnacha and Cariñena, and maximum yields
- Wines classified as Vinya Classificada or Gran Classificada involve critical recognition (as an outstanding wine brand) for over 5 years
How does Priorats Consejo Regulador certify the use of the term ‘old vine’?
The grapes must come from vineyards that are at least 75 years old, or were replanted before 1945
True or False,
Montsant is completely surrounded by Priorat?
False, Priorat is actually completely surrounded by Montsant
What are the two most planted grape varieties in Montsant?
- Cariñena
- Garnacha
What are the other widely planted red grape varieties in Montsant?
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
- Syrah
How many growers are their in Montsant compared to the number of wineries?
- 700 growers
- 60 wineries
How much of the total production of Montsant is exported?
45%
- Germany
- USA
- France
- Switzerland
- UK
Costers del Serge is made up how many different sub-zones?
7
How does Costers del Serge differ from the rest of Priorat?
It is more of a continental climate, as it is much more inland
Costers del Serge was originally planted by whom?
Manuel Raventós, who owned Codorníu
What are the grapes used to make white wine in Costers del Serge?
- Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Parellada
- Chardonnay
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Garnacha Blanca
What are the grapes used to make red wine in Costers del Serge?
- Garnacha
- Tempranillo
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot
How many ha are under vine in Costers del Serge, and what company owns one third of the plantings?
- 4,000
- Raimat
