Catalunya Flashcards
How history helped to shape Cataluña’s modern wine industry
Via Augusta through Tarragona, conduit for wine transport to europe. Monks resuscited wine production - used for sacrament and to supply troops during reconquista. Cartoixa d’Escaladei - monastery that is considered birthplace of wines and winemaking in Priorat. Josep Raventos i Fatjo traveled around Champagne and broughtback to create Spains’ first sparkling in 1872. Benefited from phylloxera - eventually it hit the region but recovery was swift given a solution was found. 7 DOs recognized in 1972, but nationally recognized until later. Coops started here after phylloxera and are still important.
Main topographical features of Catalunya (mountain ranges, rivers, etc.)
Three major topgraphical features: Catalan Pireneos, Cordilleras Costero-Catalanas, and the Central Catalan Depression (which sits between the two, water flows here to the rivers Ter and Llobergat - ter is longest in Catalunya, Llobregat is second)
The factors influencing the Catalunya’s climate
rainfall decreases as you go south. Mediterranean, duh. Dry, hot summers. Med moderates. most rain in spring and autumn.
Dominant soil types of Catalunya
largely sedimentary - coastal: alluviums, limestone, and clay (pockets of granite and slate - in cordillera litoral). Penedes has well-draining soil. LLiorella is the most prized - found in Priorat.
The “need to know” (NTK) grape varieties and their regional synonyms - in Catalunya
Three main cava grapes: xarel.lo (Pansal blanc or pansa blanca), parellada and macabeo (most acreage). Garnaxta Blanca. Chard and Sauv Blanc most planted intl varieties. Red: Garnatxa tina, Samso /Mazuelo. Some tempranillo. Syrah and Cab primary intl.
From class:
White grapes: Primary: garnaxta blanca, macabeo, xarel.lo
Red grapes: garnacha negra, samso/mazuelo/carinena
Dominant wine styles in Catalunya
Mostly blends. xarel.lo and garnacha blanca primary in whites. Garnacha tinta is backbone in rosados, and usually blended with temp and cab. Reds a blend of garnacha and cariñena (samso/mazuelo). Whites and roses known for being young and fresh, aromatic. Reds more full-bodied, complex with some aging. Mostly follow traditional aging reqs. Priorat more strict and origin focused.
What is llicorella?
shallow, copper-colored, decomposed slate/shale of low orgarnic content. Fragile, foliated (layered) rock with fine texture. Breaks apart easily at surface, but requires vines to search for access to water and nutrients. Produces wines that are rich, powerful and with minerality. DOQ Priorat (most dominant), Do Montsant, DO Conca de Barbara
what is cava de paraje calificado?
2015, to highlight uniqueness of particular terriors in region. Reqs: vines 10yrs+, single vineyard source, hand harvest, lower tha avg yields, vintage label, sur lie min 36ms, brut levels, tasting panel approved, traceable.
Aging for cava?
9 months
Aging for cava reserva?
15 months
Aging for cava Grand reserva?
30 months (solely for brut levels)
Aging for paraje calificado?
36 months
What is CORPINNAT?
group that broke off from Cava - organic, hand harvested, vinitied at winery, 18mo min aging., indigenous grapes
About Cava
fully sparkling with 5-6 bars of pressure. lower acidity than Cremant and Champagne, and slightly heavier on palate. Largely shows less autolytic character, and has distinct hint of fennel and herbs.
Els Noms de la Tierra classification system
- Five levels Terroir-based classification system, supercedes Vin de Finca category. Burgundy inspired. Includes: DOQ Priorat (anywhere in DOQ), Vi de Villa, Vi de Paratge, Vinya Classificada, and Gran Vinya Classificada. Must contain 60% Garnacha Tinta and/or Samsó (Cariñena). GVC requires 90%.
Vin de Vila
Grapes from village, Grapes minimum 60% Garnacha tinta and/or samso
Vi de Paratge
Grapes from paratge (single location), grapes min 60% garnacha and/or samso. There are 459 paratges.
Vinya Classificada
Single vineyard. Grapes min 60% garnacha and/or samso. Four wines authorized.