Cataluna Flashcards
Where is Cataluna located?
This autonomous community is situated in the northeastern corner of Spain. The triangle-shaped region is bordered by the countries of France & Andorra to the north, Aragon to the west and Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia) to the south. The Mediterranean Sea forms the region’s eastern border.
What is the capital of Cataluna?
Barcelona
This is the region’s largest city and Spain’s 2nd largest after Madrid.
What is the Via Augusta?
This was the longest & busitest road on the Spanish mainland constructed in the 1st century CE with the intention of connecting Hispania to Rome.
It extended from Gades (Cadiz) on the southern coast of Andalucia to the vital port town of Carthago Nova (Cartagena), then struck northward along the Mediterranean coast to the Pirineos. It stretched nearly 932mi/1,500km.
Why is the Liber maiolichinus de gestis pisanorum illustribus significant?
“Majorcan Book of the Deeds of the Illustrious Pisans” reveals the origins of Catalan identity.
It contains known reference to the ethnicity of the Catalanenses (Catalans) as well as to their homeland of Catalania (Catalonia).
It details a Pisan’led military expedition against the taifa of the Balearic Islands from 1113 to 1115. This document was commissioned by the commune of Pisa and likely penned by a cleric on the expedition.
What is the Cartoixa d’Escaladei?
Carthusian Monastery of Scala Dei
This is considered the birthplace of wines & winemaking in the Priorat region of Cataluna. It was established in 1194 in the foothills of the Montsant mountains (Serra de Montsant).
Who crafted Spain’s first metodo traditionale wine?
Josep Reventos i Fatjo of Catalan heritage.
Who is Antoni Gaudi?
He was a Catalan architect born in Barcelona in 1852. He became part of the Modernista movement which gained popularity during the late 19th & early 20th centuries.
His structures include:
* lamp posts lining the Passeig de Gracia in Barcelona
* Park Guell
* Casa Mila-La Pedrera
* La Sagrada Familia church
His works are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage sites, incorporating 7 of his buildings, including the 3 parst of the La Sagrada Familia that were completed during his lifetime.
Name the provinces of Cataluna.
- Lerida (Catalan: Lleida): in the northwestern corner
- Gerona (Catalan: Girona): northern coast
- Barcelona: central coast
- Tarragona: southern coast
What is the climate in Cataluna?
Mediterranean
* dry, hot summers
* cool winters
* lower winter temperatures & heavier precipitation in the north
* continental influences further inland
* moderate temperatures & humidity along the coast
* 20-24in/500-600mm average annual rainfall
* spring/autumn are rainiest seasons w/ northern areas having summer rains as well
* coastal: 79-88F/26-31C
* inland: 104F-40C
Name the 3 major topographical features in Cataluna.
- Catalan Pirineos
- Cordilleras Costero-Catalanas
- Central Catalan Depression
Where is the Catalan Pirineos located?
This section of Cataluna forms a natural border with France and represents half of the length of the entire Pirineos mountain range.
It extends ~124mi/200km from the Mediterranean Sea inland to the Aragonese border.
What is the highest peak in Catalan Pirineos?
Pica d’Estats (10,312ft/3,143m)
Where is the Cordilleras Costero-Catalanas located?
This mountain range runs parallel to Cataluna’s 360mi/580km long Mediterranean coastline.
The system consists of 2 ranges:
* Cordillera Litoral: lies closest to the coastline (2,503ft-763m)
* Cordillera Prelitoral: lies further inland running parallel to Litoral (5,617ft/1,712m)
Where is the Central Catalan Depression located?
This topographical feature in Cataluna is between the Catalan Pirineos & the Cordilleras Costero-Catalanas.
It includes eroded river basins & sits at elevations of 656-1,969ft/200-600m.
Name the major rivers of Cataluna.
- Ter River (129mi/208km)
- Llobregat River (106mi/170km)
- Ebro River: path cuts through Castilla y Leon, La Rioja, & Aragon, before running through the southern part of this region, emptying into the Mediterranean Sea
Which is the longest river in Cataluna?
Ter River
What types of soils are found in Cataluna?
- Between Cordillera Litoral & Mediterranean Sea: alluviums, limestone, & clay w/ pockets of granite & slate
- Between Cordillera Litoral & Cordillera Prelitoral: slate & granite w/ limestone & calcareous clays
- DOQ Priorat: llicorella (small outcrops also located in DOs Montsant & Conca de Barbera near the DOQ Priorat border
What is llicorella?
This is a shallow, copper-colored, decomposed slate/shale of low organic content that formed during the Devonian & Carboniferous periods 416-318 mya.
It is extremely fragile, foliated (layered) rock with a fine texture & low organic content. It breaks apart easily at the surface, yet vine roots must constantly search for fissures or fractures underground in order to access water & nutrients.
How does llicorella soil influence wines produced from vines grown in it?
The wines produced from vines grown in this soil tend to be rich & powerful with considerable minerality.
Why is it unclear whether llicorella is shale or slate?
Both of these soil types belong to the same family of metamorphic rock, however they are not the same.
When mud, clay, or basalt are subjected to heat & pressure they morph into shale, slate, & schist (in that order).
An accurate description has become a gray zone due to the rock being in a state of transition.
What is the Institut Catala de la Vinya i el Vi (INCAVI)?
This institution was created by the Catalan government to promote & advance viticultural & enological efforts throughout the region.
Their work includes:
* study of viticultural sites through soil & plant analysis at one of its two research centers (Reus or Vilafranca)
* implementation of certification & continuing education programs for Catalan wineries
* promotions of Catalan wine & gastronomy around the world through wine tourism
What styles of wines are produced in Cataluna?
- vinos blancos: Xarel.lo & Garnacha Blanca are primary w/ any number of indigenous/international varieties added to the blend
- vinos rosados: Garnacha Tinta forms the backbone w/ Tempranillo & Cabernet Sauvignon as traditional blending partners
- vinos tintos: combinations of Garnacha Tinta & Carinena (Samso/Mazuelo)
- vinos espumosos: primarily from Xarel.lo (Pansal Blanc/Pansa Blanca), Parellada, & Macabeo
Note: most wines in this region are blends
What are the typical characteristics of vinos blancos & rosados from Cataluna?
White and rose wines from this region are typically, but not exclusively, young, fresh, light, & aromatic. They have broad appeal.
What are the typical characteristics of vinos tintos from Cataluna?
Red wines from this region are more full-bodied & complex and have undergone some aging.
What aging designations are used in Cataluna?
Most DOs in this region utilize the traditional aging designations of Crianza, Reserva, & Gran Reserva.
However, DOQ Priorat adheres to a different & more stringent, higher-level system by which wines are designated by their place of origin rather than by age.
