Spain: Catalunya Flashcards
Where is Catalunya?
NE Spain
What defines the eastern border of Catalunya?
The Mediterranean coast
What are the two biggest environmental factors on Catalunya’s climate?
The Mediterranean Sea and altitude
Would you find international varieties in Catalunya?
Yes- more so than other areas of Spain
What city provides Catalunya with large local market?
Barcalona
How many DOs in Catalunya?
11
How many DOQs in Catalunya?
1
What would you expect if you saw Vi de Finca on a label?
An exceptional wine from a single estate in Catalunya
What is looked at when decerning which wines are able to be labelled as Vi da Finca?
Strict specifications, including restricted yields and min length. of time for the wine to be established in the market
Where are grapes sources for Catalunya DO?
Anywhere in the autonomy of Catalunya
What style of wines would you expect to be labeled as Catalunya DO?
Inexpensive and mid priced wines from the largest producers.
how restrictive is the Catalunya DO?
Allows more freedom than smaller DOs in terms of where grapes can be sourced and the range of international/local grapes are permitted
Where is Penedes DO?
stretch of land along the Mediterranean coast, just south of Barcelona, to the mountains inland
What is the climate in Penedes?
Warm medeteranean
The DO of Penedes can be broadly divided into ____ zones
three
What % of Penedes DO is white varieties?
80%
What are the 3 most planted varieties in Penedes?
Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada
What white grape varieties are permitted in Penedes?
Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada, Chardonnay, Moscatel, Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurtztraminer, Rielsing
What black grape varieties are permitted in Penedes?
Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo, Pinot Noir, Syrah and others
What is the most planted black variety in Penedes?
Merlot
What are the three climatic zones of Penedes (list E to West)
Penedes Maritim
Penedes Central
Penedes Superior
Where is Penedes Maritim?
Between the Mediterranean sea and the costal range of hills (just south of Barcelona)
What styles of wine would you expect in Penedes Maritim?
full bodies red wines from late ripening varietals ie Monastrell. Some inexpensive whites made from Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada
What’s the climate like in Penedes Maritim and why?
Warm climate without temperature extremes due to the low altitude and proximity to the sea
Describe the geography of Penedes Central?
It lies on relatively flat plains, kown as the pre-costal depression, between the costal range and inland mountains
what is the altitude in Penedes Central?
up to 500m
What grapes do you commonly find grown in Penedes Central?
Large plantings of Xarel-lo, Macabeo, Parellada. Also Merlot, Cab Sauv, Tempranillo and Chardonnay
What is the altitude of Penedes Superior?
500-800 m in the inland mountains
where in Penedes is spring frost a problem and why?
Penedes Superior- altitude
What mountains in Penedes Superior between?
The Montserrat and the Montmell
What grapes are grown in Penedes Superior?
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Also small amounts of Riesling and Gewurztstaminer
Which part of Penedes is the coolest?
Penedes Superior
How much rainfall annually in Penedes?
500 mm
In Penedes the driest season is _______
Summer
Can you use irrigation in Penedes?
Yes- if vines are suffering from lack of water but authorisation must be gained from the Consejo Regulador
What’s the soil like in Penedes?
Generally loamy with some calcareous components.
- can generally store enough water through the ripening period
When and why did Penedes modernise it’s wine production practices?
60s and 70s- led by the example of Dijon educated Miguel Torres
What winemaking equipment was introduced to Penedes in the 60s-70s?
Temp controlled steel
Quality and price in Penedes?
good - v good
inexpensive - midpriced (a number of premium wines)
What has changed about the zoning in Penedes recently?
more precise zoning of vineyard areas and ten sup zones have been mapped based on geographical and cultural parameters.
What percentage of wines from Penedes DO. are exported?
30%
Largest export markets for Penedes?
Germany, Canada, Switzerland, China and USA
Where do most of the domestic sales for Penedes DO wines come from?
90% of all domestic sales are in Catalunya. (ie locally/Barcelona)
When were vineyards first planted in Priorat and who planted them?
12th Century by Carthusian monks
When did Priorat receive international recognition?
The last few decades
What has historically made viticulture difficult in Priorat?
A lack of easy access, challenging topography and some extremes of weather
What problems did Priorat face at the end of the 19th century?
Phylloxera and growth of the textile industry in Catalunya (local workers abandoned vineyards and moved to the cities.
Which local producer in Priorat reinvigorated vineyards in 1989?
Rene Barbier
What did Rene Barbier do in Priorat?
formed a small group of viticulturists and winemakers to re-invigorate several specific vineyards and produce wines, blending in international varieties such as Cab Sauv, Syrah and Merlot. And using French inspired winemaking techniques. (ie oak)
What wines did Rene Barbier make?
Clos Mogador, Clos Dofi, Clos de L’Obac, Clos Martinet and Clos Erasmus
When did Priorat see a big increase in estates?
late 1990s
When was Priorat promoted from DO to DOQ?
2009
What is the climate in Priorat?
warm continental
What geographical feature protects Priorat from cold winds?
the Serra de Montsant in the north
What geographical feature protects Priorat from Mediterranean influence?
the Serra de Llaberia
Summers in Priorat DOQ are ______
Hot and dry
What is the diurnal range like in Priorat?
high diurnal range. Hot with cool nights
Winters in Priorat DOQ are _______
very cold
Rainfall in Priorat is…..
500-600 mm
When does it rain in Priorat and in what form?
winter and spring in heavy storms
Is irrigation permitted in Priorat DOQ?
in the driest years and for the establishment of new vineyards
What river winds through Priorat?
the river Siurana
What gives Priorat it’s wide range of altitudes and aspects?
winding valleys carved by the river siurana and it’s tributaries.
Altitude in Priorat DOQ?
100-750 m
How many hectares in Priorat total, and how many planted?
17600 ha total and 2000 ha planted
What gradients are slopes in Priorat?
Ranges from 5% to 60%
How do growers in priorat help to reduce soil erosion?
narrow terraces
Would you expect to. find mechanisation in Priorat and why?
no- slopes and narrow terraces don’t allow it
What’s the soil like in Priorat DOQ?
Varied. Largely poor and stoney but with some outcrops of clay. The slate based soils are known as llicorella
what is llicorella? Describe
Slate based soils in Priorat DOQ- thin, rocky and lacking in nutrients, with characteristic particles of Mica that reflect both light and heat back onto the vines
What is special about the bedrock in Priorat?
the slate bedrock splits into vertical layers which means that vine roots can grow deep in search of water
What contributes to low yields in Priorat?
low rainfall, low nutrient levels and lots of old vines
How are old vineyards in Priorat planted?
low density with bush vines
How are new vineyards in Priorat planted?
VSP trellised where possible
average yields in Priorat?
5-6 hL/ha
Maximum permitted yield in Priorat?
39 hL/ha
What 2 black varieties make up the majority of plantings in Priorat DOQ and why?
Garnacha and Carinena- well suited to hot days and dry conditions.
What grape is found in the warmest sites in Priorat?
Carinena- suited to the harsh conditions
What international varieties are grown in Priorat?
Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and Merlot
Is the popularity of international varieties in Priorat growing or reducing?
Reducing
what white varieties are grown in Priorat?
garnacha Blanca and Macabeo
White grapes make up what percentage of plantings in priorat?
6%
What kind of yeasts would you expect in priorat DOQ and why?
Cultured yeasts as high levels of potential alcohol in the grapes means fermentation with ambient yeasts can be slow.
Red wines in Priorat are typically matured in what vessel and for how long?
French oak, for 1 - 2 years
What ABV would you expect from red wines in Priorat?
14.5% and more
What are the four classifications of Priorat wines?
Vi de Vila
Vi de Paratge
Vinya Classificada
Gran Vinya Classificada
What is ‘Vi de Vila’ in Priorat DOQ?
Grapes must come from one of Priorate 12 sub-zones. Name of sub zone followed by Vi de Villa on the label.
What is ‘Vi de Paratge’ in Priorat DOQ?
Grapes must be grown within a single paratge (named site/lieu dit).
What is the translation of Paratge and how many are there in Priorat?
‘named site’ (equivalent of a lieu dit)
There are 459
What is ‘Vinya Classificada’ in Priorat DOQ?
A wine from a single vineyard of merit within a Paratje. (cru)
What is ‘Gran Vinta Classificada’ in Priorat DOQ?
A wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a Paratje. (grand cru)
How do you qualify for. a specific classification in Priorat?
Producers must own the vineyard or have rented it for minimum of 7 years.
Individual classifications have different regulations regarding yield and minimum grape proportions.
In Priorat DOQ, wines classified as Vinya Classificada or Gran Vinya Classificada require critical recognition over a minimum of ______ years.
FIVE
The Consejo Regulador certify the use of what term?
Old vines. Minimum 75 years old or planted before 1945
Where is Montsant DO?
Forms an almost complete ring around Priorat DOQ.
Where within the DO of montsant do you find. the bulk of plantings?
The south, where the land flattens out to the lower valley of the River Ebro.
Does Montsant have more or less Mediterranean influence than Priorat?
More- closer to. the coast
In Montsant, summers are generally ____ and ____, with most of the rain falling in the ______ and _______.
In Montsant, summers are generally WARM and DRY, with most of the rain falling in the WINTER and SPRING.
What is the north of Montsant like?
more mountainous, higher altitudes (300-700 m) and generally cooler temperatures
What’s the soil like in Montsant?
A mixture- clay based to sandy.
Some patches of Licorella particularly in the South.
In the North and East, there’s more limestone content.
Compare Montsant to Priorat.
Vineyards easier to work.
Topography and weather less extreme.
Soils more fertile.
Yields tend to be higher.
What % of Montsant is black grapes?
94%
Which 2 grapes make up 2/3rds of Montsant’s plantings?
Garnacha and Carinena
What grapes are planted in Montsant?
Garnacha, Carinena, Tempranillo, Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
In Montsant would you expect to see blends or single varietal wines?
Many blends, but single varietal Garnacha and Carinena are not uncommon.
What vessels would you expect Montsant DO wines to be. aged in and for how long?
French or American. oak barrels, 1-2. years
Describe the style of wines from the south of Montsant
ripe, fruity and full bodied with high alcohol, Medium + acidity.
good- v good, mid priced- premium
Name 2 producers from Montsant?
Espectacle and cellar de Capcanes
Which. white grapes are grown in Montsant?
Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo
How many hectares of vineyards in Montsant?
1900 ha
What type of winemaker is most prevalent in. Montsant
Cooperatives
When did Montsant get DO status?
2001
Producers from which other region have been tempted to Montsant because of the cheaper land?
Priorat!!!
How much of the wine Montsant is exported?
45%
Top export markets for Montsant?
Germany, USA, France, Switzerland, UK
Where is Costers Del Segre DO in comparison to other areas in Catalunya?
Further North and more inland
How many ‘not entirely contiguous’ sub zones are there in Costers Del Segre DO?
7 (contiguous=not touching, ffs)
What is the climate in Costers Del Segre DO?
Continental climate with hot summers and cold winters
Rainfall in Costers Del Segre?
Low- 400 mm
Who first planted in Costers Del Segre and when?
Manuel Raventos in the early 1900s (owner of Condorniu)
When was the DO of Costers Del Segre established?
1980s
What establishment work was needed in Costers Del Segre before the land could support vines?
The saline soils were improved and irrigation channels were installed.
Altitude in Costers del Segre DO?
200-700 m
What styles of wine are produced in the higher altitude vineyards of Costers del Segre?
Cava, white varieties and early ripening black varieties
What is the soil like in Costers del Segre?
Sandy and free draining
Is irrigation permitted in Costers del Segre?
Yes and it is needed in most vineyards
Red grapes permitted in Costers del Segre?
Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot
white grapes permitted in Costers del Segre?
Macabeo, Parellada, Xarel-lo (mainly for cava production), Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca and Sauvignon Blanc
Describe still wines from Costers del Segre?
Generally made in a fresh, fruity style for early drinking.
Blends are common.
mid priced with a few premium examples
Would you expect wines from Costers del Segre to be oaked?
Reds and some Chardonnay may be aged in French or American oak
How many hectares of plantings in Costers del Segre?
4000 ha
Who owns a third of Costers Del Segre?
Raimat (aka Raventos)
Significant producers in Costers del Segre DO?
Raimat (Raventos) and Castell dEncus
What speciality program does Costers del Segre have?
It’s own sustainability program, concerned with social, economic and environmental parameters. 70% or production
