Spain - Catalonia / Catalunya

Question 1

Identify where Catalonia / Catalunya is on this map of Spain.

Answer 1

Question 2

Where is Catalonia/Catalunya located in Spain?

Answer 2

• Northeastern Spain, in the foothills of the Pyrenees.
• Near the Mediterranean Sea and the city of Barcelona.

Question 3

What is the climate of Priorat?

Answer 3

Hot and dry Mediterranean with significant diurnal shifts.

Question 4

What is the climate of Cava?

Answer 4

Moderate due to altitude (where most Cava is made).

Question 5

What is a physical feature to Priorat?

Answer 5

Steep, terraced slopes.

Question 6

• What specific soil type does Priorat have?
• What does it allow the vines to do?

Answer 6

Llicorella soil allows vines to dig deep for water.

Click HERE to see and learn more about Llicorella soils.

Question 7

Cava’s vineyards are high-altitude sites in this mountain range.

Answer 7

Pyrenées

Question 8

Select the correct answer.

Because Priorat’s soils are friable black slate, this means that the terrain does not allow for:

a. hand harvesting
b. mechanization
c. aspersion

Answer 8

b. mechanization

All Priorat vineyards are hand harvested.

Question 9

Fill in the blanks.

The most common form of vine training in Priorat is _____, which gives naturally _____ yields.

Answer 9

• bush vine (Gobelet) training
• naturally low yields

Question 10

What style of vine training is depicted in this photo?

Answer 10

Bush-trained vines

Know it for the exam

Question 11

Select the correct answer.

In Priorat, which form of winemaking is common?

a. Modern winemaking, including the use of French oak.
b. Modern winemaking, using only stainless steel for everything.
c. Modern winemaking, using only 100% carbonic maceration on all wines.

Answer 11

a. Modern winemaking, including the use of French oak.

Question 12

Cava is made using this Method.

Tank or Traditional?

Answer 12

Traditional Method

Question 13

In Cava, which is more commonly used to riddle: a gyropalette or riddling by hand?

Answer 13

Gyropalette (a Spanish invention!) is typically used.

Question 14

What are the 3 main white grapes of Cava?

Answer 14

1. Xarel-lo
2. Parellada
3. Macabeo

Question 15

What is the most common white grape variety for Priorat blanc?

Answer 15

Garnacha Blanca

International varieties are also used, but they’re typically blended with Garnacha Blanca.

Question 16

What are the 2 most common red grapes used for Priorat?

Answer 16

1. Garnacha
2. Cariñena

International varieties are also used but to a lesser degree.

Question 17

What international red grape is planted for use in Cava?

Answer 17

Pinot Noir

Question 18

Select the correct answer.

Cava is made in:

a. white styles only
b. rosado styles only
c. white and rosado styles

Answer 18

c. white and rosado styles

Question 19

Where is the Cava DO in Spain?

Answer 19

It covers all of Spain, but the vast majority of Cava is made within the Penedès DO of Catalonia.

Question 20

Fill in the blank.

Cava, also known as Cava de Guarda, is aged a minimum ____ months on the lees.

Answer 20

minimum 9 months

Question 21

Fill in the blank.

Cava Reserva is aged a minimum ____ on the lees.

Answer 21

18 months on lees

Question 22

Briefly describe a red Priorat wine.

Answer 22

Priorat is a powerful, intense, spicy Garnacha-based blend, often aged in French oak and blended with international varieties.

Question 23

Name 5 important Priorat producers.

Answer 23

1. Rene Barbier (Clos Mogador)
2. Álvaro Palacios
3. Clos Erasmus
4. Clos Martinet
5. Scala Dei

Question 24

Name 2 important Cava producers.

Answer 24

1. Gramona
2. Avinyó

Question 25

Is Priorat considered modern or traditional in style?

Answer 25

Modern

It made a big impact in a short period of time and is highly respected.

Question 26

Select the correct answer.

Priorat is a:

a. DO
b. DOC
c. DOCa

Answer 26

c. DOCa

Question 27

What is the importance of Gratallops?

Answer 27

In 1979 Rene Barbier, a winemaker for Alvaro Palacios, planted a mix of local and French vines in the llicorella soils of Gratallops, a tiny old village in the heart of Priorat, and he convinced Palacios and several others to join him. In 1989, they cooperatively produced a first effort—a single red wine bottled under five different labels—and turned the eyes of the wine world towards Priorat. The five original “Clos” wines of Priorat, commonly acknowledged as Barbier’s Clos Mogador, Palacios’ Clos Dofi, Clos Erasmus, Clos de l’Obac, and Clos Martinet, were released as vino de mesa, yet they represented a new pinnacle of quality for the region.

Question 28

What 4 things about a red Priorat do you have to consider when food and wine pairing?

Answer 28

1. Oak use
2. Ripeness
3. Intensity
4. Alcohol level

Question 29

What foods would you pair with red Priorat?

Answer 29

• Lamb
• Beef
• Cassoulet
• Rabbit stews
• Duck - roasted or confit