Cataluna Flashcards
What was one of the most important cities on the Iberian Peninsula?
Tarraco (Modern day Tarragona)
Who resuscitated vineyards?
The Monks
What gave Aragon access to the sea?
When the Count of Barcelona Ramon Berenger IV married Petronilla
Where was the Via Augusta located?
Gades on South Coast of Andalucia to Carthago Nova then Northward along Med coast to the Pirineos
Where were the birthplace of wines and winemaking in Priorat?
Cartoxia D’Escaladei
What caused the war of Spanish Succession?
When the French Bourbon Dynasty took control over the Spanish Crown
What did the Nueva Planta Decrees do?
Incorporated all of the Spanish Crown’s Aragonese territories, including Cataluna
How many provinces?
4…1 inland (Lerida) and 3 coastal (Gerona, Barcelona, Tarragona)
Barcelona is the — largest city in Spain?
2nd
Barcelona is the — largest city in the European Union?
11th
Rainiest seasons?
Spring/Autumn
Catalan’s highest peak?
Pica d’Estats
3 mountain ranges?
Catalan Pirineos, Cordilleras Costero Catalans, Central Catalan Depression
2 ranges within The Cordilleras Costero Catalans?
Cordillera Litoral (Close to coast), Prelitoral (Further inland and higher)
2 main rivers?
Ter (Longest), Llobregat
Soil type between Cordillera Litoral and Med Sea?
Granite/slate
Soils between Cordillera Litoral and Cordillera Prelitoral?
Metamorphic/Igneous
What 2 DO’s have well draining soils?
Do Penedes, Do Pla de Bages
Do indigenous grapes dominate?
Yes
What is Tempranillo known as?
Ull de Llebre
What 2 grapes dominate reds?
Granacha Tinta and Samso
Are most wines in Cataluna blends?
Yes
Primary grapes in vino blancos?
Xarel.lo and Garnacha Blanca
Vino rosado grapes?
Granacha Tinta with Tempranillo and Cab Sauv as blending partners
How many DO’s?
11
Which DO is an umbrella DO?
DO Cataluna
Soil types in DO Cava?
Calcareous/high limestone content
How many municipalities are in DO Cava?
150+ spread over 7 autonomous regions
Percentage of red varieties in Cava Rosado?
Min 25%
Minimum aging for Cava?
9 months on lees
What is Cava de Paraje Calificado?
Qualified single vineyard cava (Highlight unique terroirs within the region)
When was the first wine labeled as a Cava de Paraje Calificado released?
2017
What DO has the lowest elevations in Cataluna?
DO Emporda
2 non contiguous sections in DO Emporda?
Alt Emporda (North), Baix Emporda (South)
What did DO Emporda traditionally produce?
Sweet fortified wines
More whites than reds in DO Cataluna?
Yes 49% blanco
More reds than whites in DO Emporda?
Yes, 58% tintos
What is Garnacha del Emporda?
Min 90% Granacha Tinta and or Peluda and undergo min 2 year aging
Soils in DO Montsant?
Silty loam (Panal), Granitic sand (Saulo), slate (licorella)
What does DO Montsant almost completely encircle?
DOQ Priorat
Prior to DO status, what was the falset subzone of DO Tarragona?
DO Montsant
Largest Mountain range in DO Montsant?
Serra de Montsant (Part of Prelitoral)
2 rivers in DO Montsant?
Siurana and Montsant
What made DO Montsant get divided into 6 subzones?
Range of soil types, distinct topography, climatic conditions
1 grapes in DO Montsant?
Granacha Negra and Samso (65%)
3 subzones in DO Penedes?
Penedes Superior (previously Alt Penedes), Penedes Central, and Penedes Maritim (Previously Baix Penedes)
Largest production area in DO Penedes?
Penedes Central
Most mountainous and lies inland of 3 DO Penedes subzones?
Penedes Superior
How many delineated growing areas are there in DO Penedes 3 subzones?
10
First wine region in Spain to adopt the use of temperature controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks?
DO Penedes
1 grape in DO Penedes?
Xarel.lo
What is Classic Penedes?
Grapes must be 100% organic
All grapes must be sourced from within the Penedes appellation
winemaking process must take place in the bottle within cellars registered with the DO.
Must be produced in traditonal method.
Wines must mature for minimum 15 months (All reservas)
What river bisects DOQ Priorat?
Siurana river
What are vineyards in DOQ Priorat planted on?
Costers
First wine region in Spain to adopt the notion of estate wines?
DOQ Priorat
In 2002, what was the highest level on the quality wine pyramid in Priorat?
Vi de Finca
What is the Vi di Vila?
“Village wines” establishing a deeper connection to the geographic/environmental/climatic factors which wineries wishing to use this title must adhere too. Authorized for 2007 vintage onward
How many subzones in the Vi di Vila?
12
What is Els noms de la Terra?
“The names of the land” Available for all non regional bottlings from 2017 vintage onward. Supersedes the Vi de Finca
Vi de Vila requirements?
Grown within boundaries of designated village
Max yields 7000 (W) 5000 (R)
90% of vineyards must be at least 10 years old
Remaining 10% must be at least 5 years old
Vi de Paratge requirements?
Grown within designated paratge (single location)
Max yields 6000 (W) 4000 (R)
90% of vineyards must be at least 15 years old
Remaining 10% must be at least 5 years old
459 Paratges
Vinya Classificada requirements?
Must be from single vineyard
Max yields 6000 kg (W) 4000 (R)
80% vineyards must be at least 20 years old
Remaining 20% must be at least 5 years old
Traceability (Min 5 years)
4 wines are authorized
Gran Vinya Classificada requirements?
Must be from single vineyard
Max yields 4000 (W) 3000 (R)
80% of vineyards must be at least 35 years old
Remaining 20% must be at least 10 years old
Traceability (Min 5 years)
1 wine authorized
What is Vinyes velles?
Grapes must come from plots which are at least 75 years old or were planted prior to 1945
Where is DO Terra Alta located?
Southwest Cataluna between Ebro River and Aragon
Who is responsible for most of production in DO Terra Alta?
Cooperatives
What dominates in DO Terra Alta?
Reds (72%)
What grape is of great significance in DO Terra Alta?
Granacha Blanca–Must have minimum vintage rating of very good
Also receive a numbered back label assuring quality by consejo
What was DO Terra Alta’s original focus?
Vino blancos
Producing limited fortified sweet wines, late harvest and Brisats
