North-East Spain - Catalunya - Conca De Barbera

Answer 1

1. North-east of Spain, (south) west of Penedes, inland, between Tarragona & Costers del Segre
2. Most of the vineyards in the valleys around the town of Montblanc up to 500m altitude
3. Limestone Hills / predominantly chalky soils

Climate:

1. Temperate Mediterranean climate with hot summer & cold winters
2. Coastal areas are very hot & dry while some areas inland can reach 900mm rainfall and are prone to frosts

Answer 2

Reds (33% of production)

1. Ull de Llebre aka Tempranillo
2. Premier native black grape w thick skin that ripens early i.e. several weeks earlier vs. most Spanish red grapes (temprano: ‘early’)
3. Wines are med->full bodied, low to med+ acidity, w med tannins and flavours of strawberry, cherry, raspberry & plum. Oak and ageing add flavours of herbs, mushrooms, leather & tobacco
4. Garnacha
5. Buds early and requires a long growing season to fully ripen (often the last grape after Cab Sauv to be picked)
6. Vigorous vines i.e. hi yields that prefers hot dry soils
7. Thin skins w light pigments -> pale colour
8. The wines are hi in alcohol, low in tannins w relatively light
9. flavours of raspberries, strawberries

Others: Cab Sauv, Pinot Noir, Trepat (-> rosé), Merlot, Syrah

Answer 3

Whites (66% of production)

1. Parellada
2. Provides acidity & freshness
3. Mainly grown for Cava production
4. Macabeo
5. Floral fresh fruit character with good acidity when grown in low yields
6. Mainly grown for Cava production
7. Chardonnay
8. Hardy, easy to grow & versatile
9. Can produce interesting wines even at hi yields

Others: Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, Moscatel

Answer 4

5,800ha – DO since 89
• Older vines planted en vaso but most of recent plantings en espaldera (trellises) to increase production• Vineyards classed as experimental -> irrigation allowed

• Ultra-modern winemaking for instantly appealing wines
• Most grapes are used to produce Cava so only few wines carry the DO
• Fresh, young whites (Parellada/Chardonnay varietal/blend), Trepat rosés and reds. To be drunk young.