Catalunya and Levante

Question 1

What are the characteristics of Catalunya?

Answer 1

• mainly limestone based sediment soils
• can blend grapes of all types from all over
• Mediterranean climate
• produces 95% of Spain’s Cava in Penedes

Question 2

What is the primary denomination of Catalunya?

Answer 2

Priorat

Question 3

What are the characteristics of Priorat?

Answer 3

• valleys of the Siurana and Montsant Rivers
• terraced vineyard
• black slate soil

Question 4

What are characteristics of Priorat’s black slate soil?

Answer 4

• *called licorella
• volcanic origin
• reddish and black slate
• reflects and maintains heat
• topsoil is decayed

Question 5

What are the grape varieties of Priorat?

Answer 5

*Traditionally - 100% Granacha Tinta
*Blend of Granacha and Garinena
Can also use: granancha peluda, carinena, cabernet sauvignon/merlot/syrah

*authorized whites are: granacha blanca, chenin blanc, Pedro Ximenez, macabeo

Question 6

What are characteristics of Cava DO?

Answer 6

• Spanish sparkling wine made in the classical method

* not restricted to a single geographical area, produced across seven regions

Question 7

What are the classification levels for Cava DO?

Answer 7

*cava - minimum tirage 9 months
*cava reserve - minimum tirage 15 months
cava gran reserve - tirage 30 months (dry styles only)

Question 8

What are the styles of Cava?

Answer 8

Same as Champagne:

• brut nature/pas dosage
• extra brut
• brut
• extra seco
• seco
• semi seco
• dulce

Question 9

What are the grapes used in Cava?

Answer 9

White:

*macabeo (50%) (!)
*xarello (!)
*parellada (!)
*subirat
*chardonnay
(!) = blend in traditional Cava

Black:

• granacha
• monastrell
• trepat
• pinot noir

Question 10

What is the DO of the Levante region?

Answer 10

Utel-Requena

Question 11

What are the grapes of Levante?

Answer 11

Red:

Bobal (78%)
Tempranillo, Granacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah

White:

Macavbeo, Merseguera, Planta Nova, Chardonnay