Spain - Catalonia / Catalunya Flashcards
Where’s Catalonia?
Northeastern Spain, in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Near the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Barcelona.
Climate of Catalonia?
Priorat: Hot and dry Mediterranean. Significant diurnal shifts.
Cava: Moderate due to altitude (where most Cava is made).
Physical features of Catalonia?
Priorat: Steep, terraced slopes.
Cava: High-altitude sites in the Pyrenees.
Type/name of soil in Catalonia?
Priorat: Llicorella soil allows vines to dig deep for water.
Tell me something notable about the grape growing in Catalonia?
Priorat: Terrain does not allow for mechanization.Use of bush vine (Gobelet) training, naturally low yields.
Show me a photo of bush vine/Gobelet training.
Tell me things about the winemaking in Catalonia.
Priorat: Modern winemaking, including the use of French oak, is common.
Cava: Traditional Method sparkling wines. The gyropalette (a Spanish invention) is typically used instead of riddling by hand.
Name the white grape varieties in Catalonia.
Cava: Xarel-lo, Parellada, Macabeo
Garnacha Blanca, international varieties
Name the red grape varieties in Catalonia.
Priorat: Garnacha, Cariñena, international varieties
Pinot Noir, other international red varieties
Tell me about the notable DO, DOCa. What do they even mean, these abbreviations?
Cava DO:Traditional Method Sparkling, white, and rosado styles of wine based on native Spanish grape varieties listed above.
Priorat DOCa:Primarily still, dry reds based on Garnacha, Cariñena, and international varieties.
Penedès DO
Cava DO:
Covers all of Spain, but the vast majority of Cava is made within the Penedès DO of Catalonia.
Cava Aging Requirements:
Cava (Cava de Guarda): min 9 months on lees
Reserva: min 18 months on lees
What’s the style like in Catalonia wines?
Priorat is a powerful, intense, spicy Garnacha-based blend, often aged in French oak and blended with international varieties.
The Cava DO is for traditional method sparkling wine.
Producer/proprietary brand?
Priorat: Rene Barbier (Clos Mogador), Álvaro Palacios, Clos Erasmus, Clos Martinet, Scala Dei
Cava: Gramona
Tell me about the history of Catalonia.
Priorat is a modern Spanish wine, not a traditional style. It made a big impact in a short period of time and is highly respected.
The significance of the Gratallops project to the style and reputation of Priorat DOCa.
What foods to pair Catalonia wines with?
Understand the effects of Priorat’s oak use, ripeness, intensity, and alcohol level in regard to food pairing.
