Spain, Catalunya - Priorat DOCa, Montsant DO, Costers del Segre DO Flashcards
Where is Priorat DOCs/DOQ?
In Catalunya, inland from the city of Tarragona.
What is the Climate?
Warm Continental Climate - summers are long hot and dry, annual rainfall v low
Which two grapes is this ideal conditions for?
Garnacha and Cariñena, late ripening
What is the soil in Priorat?
Effect on grapes/vine?
Llicorella = layers of slate with small particles of Mica that sparkle which help ripening by reflecting and conserving heat, and depth - able to retain sufficient water throughout growing season
Vines can grow between the slate’s vertical layers to find water.
Which mountain range(s) protects Priorat?
Serra de Montsant in the north
Serra de Llaberia in the south
Which river runs through the region?
River Siurana
What is the topography of Priorat?
Range of altitudes 100-750m and aspects
Very rugged, planted around 2,000 ha of vines
Vineyards are on slopes, aka Coster 5-60% plus narrow terraces.
Machinery impossible to access, all operations done by hand = extra cost
Why are the yields so low in Priorat?
Old Vines = low yields
Poor soil, lacking nutrients
High diurnal range due to altitude
Low density Bush Vines most common
Low water levels = low yields per vine
What are the average yields in Priorat?
5-6 hL/ha, though legally 39 hL/ha permitted
Wine Tasting Note for Priorat?
Deeply coloured
high tannins
concentrated black fruit
high alcohol (balanced with ripe fruit
toasty aromas of oak (French)
with med+ acidity giving freshness
Winemaking in Priorat?
Some very traditional - basket press
Modern - S/S, optical sorting machine, cultured yeast
matured in FR Oak, 1-2 yrs
Wine Law - classifications?
Local Consejor de Regulador sets legislation on growing and winemaking plus 4 classifications on where the grapes are grown
1) Vi de Vila - grapes from 1 of 12 sub-zones - name of sub-zone then Vi de Vila
2) Vi de Paratge = Lieu dit in FR
459 Partakes noted for terrain, geology and microclimate
3) Vidya Classificada - Single Vineyard within a Paratge = Cru
4) Gran Vidya Classificada - Single Vineyard, exceptional merit within a Paratge = Grand Cru
What are the qualifications for these classifications?
Producers must own Vineyard, or rented for at least 7 yrs
Each classification has its own regulation based on:
proportion of Garnacha vs Cariñena blend, vine age and max yields
Who choses the term Old Vines?
Consejo Regulador certify the use of the term Old Vine, providing grapes come from vineyards min 75 years old, or planted before 1945
Where is Montsant DO?
Montsant forms almost a complete ring around Priorat DOQ.
Where are the Montsant vineyards?
In the south of the region where land flattens out to the lower valley of the River Ebro
What is the climate here vs Priorat (continental) climate?
More mediterranean influence due to proximity to the coast (although Serra de Llaberia does provide some shelter) = temperatures in summer/winter not so extreme.
What is the altitude of the vineyards in the more mountainous north?
300-700m, generally cooler
What are the soils in Montsant?
a wide range. Some Llicorella, esp in south, in north/east soils are more limestone, slightly more fertile than Priorat.
What is the topography vs Priorat?
less extreme, terraced slopes, easier to work than Priorat, trellising more common = mechanisation, plus some bush vines.
What grapes dominate Montsant?
94% back grapes
2/3 Garnacha and Cariñena
followed by Tempranillo.
International varieties Syrah, Merlot and Cab Sab.
Blends/Single Varietal wines?
Single varietal from Garnacha and Cariñena but also many wines are blended
Generally the wine style is what?
Ripe
Full-bodied
high alcohol
med+ acidity
good to v good in quality and mid-priced
Some premium examples
Name two significant producers from Montsant?
Espectacle and Seller de Capçanes
Where is Costers del Segre DO??
How many sub-zones?
Climate
situated further north than other Catalunya DOs, 7 sub-zones
Continental, hot summer, cold winter
Low rainfall 40cm
What grapes does Costers del Segre DO produce?
Local and international grapes
A lot of Macabao, Parellada and Xarel-lo grapes for Cava,
Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Sav Blanc
Tempranillo,Garnacha, Cab Sav, Merlot
Style of wine made in Costers del Segre?
Fresh, fruity style, early drinking
What is the key sustainability program?
40% of wineries adhere to the programme accounting for 70% of production, the programme is concerned with social, environmental and economic parameters.
