Spain: Catalunya Flashcards
Catalunya : Catalunya DO
-grapes grown anywhere in the autonomy of Catalunya
- Large producers making inexpensive wines eg. Torees Vina Sol
-grapes can be sourced from larger areas and a range of local and international varieites are permitted
-widely recognised
Penedes DO : The Growing Environment and Grape Growing
- diverse region stretching the Mediterrean Cost , just doen from Barcelona to the mountains inland and various wines incl. Cava
-2,500 ha with white at 80%
Xarelo, Macabeo and Parellada used for Cava
Also, Chardonnay and smaller amoutn sof Moscatel , SB, Gewutrztraminer and Riesling
Merlot is the most planted black grape - Warm, mediterranean climate
Rainfall is avg.500mm with the summer being the driest . If vines are suffering they may use irrigation
SOILS : loamy, with calcerous and good water storage
Mix of bush vines and VSP for machines
Three climate zones allows the wide assortment of grapees premitted:
**Penedes Maritim - between the sea asn the mountians - low altitude and proximity to the sea =warm climate without extremes
Full bodied Reds eg. Monastrell
Three white for inexpensive still wines
**Penedes Central - flat plains , Pre-Coastal Depression
Still moderately high at 500m , with some cooling influence
Large plantings of X, M and P are found here
**Penedes Superior -
500-800m in the inland mountains
Cooling influence ( some spring frost ) and high diuranl range
Chardonnay and SB thrive here a well as Riesling and Gewurtraminer
Also some Pinot Noir
Penedes DO : Winemaking
- One of the first places in Spain to modernise wine production in the 60-70s
-Miguel Torres introduced the temperature controlled SS tanks
-wines became clean, fruity and early drinking styles
Good to very good with inexpensive to mid priced wines
Penedes DO : Wine Law and Business
- more precise zoning of the vineyard in the last few years
-Labelling a subzone means 100% of the grapes must come from the that subzone and grown organically
25% exported to Canada, Sweden and the US
-65% of the domestic market
-Wine tourism from Barcelona is major source of income
Priorat DOC : The Growing Environment
- WArm, continental climate
-protected by the Serra de Montsant in the north and Serra de Llaberia in the South
-Summers are hot, nut there is a high diurnal range
-Cold winters, frost can be an issue
Rainfall 500-600mm in heavy storms with dry summers
-Irrigation is permitted in the drier years and for new vines
River Siurana carvesr the landscape and gives a proad range of altitudes and aspect - 100-750m
Slopes or COSTERS , range from 5-60% gradient
Narrow terraces help to reduce erosion ad reduce surface run off
Most picking done by hand
Very rugged landscape
SOILS : largely stony and poor with some clay
Slate based soils are know as
LLICORELLA - thin, rocky, and lacking in nutrients with MICA particles that refelct light and heat
The Slate splits into vertical layers allowing the vine roots to grow deep
=low yields and concentration of flavour
Old vineyards are planted with bish vines and newer are now VSP when possible
High density is rare
**MAx permitted yield is 39HL/ha althought the average is 5-6hl/ha
affecting the cost of the wines
Priorat DOC : Grape Varieties
Garnacha 37% -suited to hot days and dry conditions
Carinena 27% -suited to harsh and grown in the warmest sites
Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo are just 7% of the plantings
Priorat DOC : Winemaking
- very traditional using basket press and large oak vats to SS and optical sorters
-Cultured yeasts are common to deal with the high alcohol
-Usually matured in French oak for 1-2 years
-Freshness, fruit character and acidity is the focus for quality producers
Wines can be over 14.5 % but balanced with ripe, concentrated fruit and Medium Plus fresh acidity
Priorat DOC : Wine Law, Regulations and Business
Four classifications set by the Consejo Regulador :
- Vi de Vila - Grapes must come from one of the 12 subzones
Name of the subzone and Vi de Vila appear on the label - Vi de Paratge - grrapes grown in a single Paratge or named site = lieu dit
there are 459 Paratge notes for terrain, geology and microclimate - Vinya Classificada - A wine from a single vineyard of particualr merit with a Partage = Cru
Merit recognition for at least 5 yrs - Gran Vinya Classificade - Single vineyard of exceptional merit within a Paratge = Grand Cru
These wines involve ‘regocnition’ as an outstanding wine brand for at least 5 yrs
To qualify for these , producers must own the vineyard / or have rented it for atleast 7 years
Each have their own min. %s of Garnacha or Carinena in the blend, vine age and max yields
The Consejo Regulador also certify the term ‘old vines’ and min is 75 years or were planted before 1945
Montsant DO : The Growing Environment
- forms a ring around Priorat DO
-mosst vineyards are in the South / flatter lower valley of River Ebro
-clost to coast = Mediterraean influence
Warm ,dry summers and mostly mild, wet winters
-Some mountains int he north at 300-700m
SOILS : clay based to sandy
patches of LLICORELLA towards the south
North is more limestone
Grape yields are higher than Priorat
-Vineyards are easier to work
Still use terraces to reduce erosion and run off
Some bushvines but mostyl VSP for ease of mechanisation
Montsant DO : Grape Varieties and Winemaking
94% black with 2/3 rds Garnacha and Carinena - see Priorat
-Then Tempranillo , Syrah, Merlot and Cab Sauv
- Mostly blends
1-2 yrs in French or American oak is not uncommon
-Generally wines are fruity, ripe and full bodied with high alcohol . Medium plus acid in the cooler sites give freshness
Good to very good and mid-prem priced / some super -prem
eg. Espectacle
Some white from Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo
Montsant DO : Wine Business
- 1,900ha - some 700 grape growers
with 50 wineries
Co-ops are a major part of production - Awarded DO status in 2001, focus on quallity
-Land is cheaper for Priorat producers
40% is expported to Germany, US,France ,Switzerland and UK
Costers Del Segre DO : General
7 subzones
Inland , contiental climate with hot summers and cold winters
-Rainfall 400mm
Codorniu Cava producer planted the regions first grapes
SOILS : saline and semi arid , sandy and free draining
Only est in 1980’s as a commerical region of Spain
200-700m ,cooler sites are used for Cava production
International and local - XMP for Cava
And mostly blends for the still wines
Wines are fresh ,fruity and ealry drinking
Using less oak ( American or French )
is common
Mid priced with some prem examples
DO is made up of 4,000ha ,with Raimat owing 1/3 of land
Aroudn 36 wineries
