Spain, Catalunya - Priorat DOCa, Montsant DO, Costers del Segre DO

Question 1

Where is Priorat DOCs/DOQ?

Answer 1

In Catalunya, inland from the city of Tarragona.

Question 2

What is the Climate?

Answer 2

Warm Continental Climate - summers are long hot and dry, annual rainfall v low

Question 3

Which two grapes is this ideal conditions for?

Answer 3

Garnacha and Cariñena, late ripening

Question 4

What is the soil in Priorat?
Effect on grapes/vine?

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

Which mountain range(s) protects Priorat?

Answer 5

Serra de Montsant in the north
Serra de Llaberia in the south

Question 6

Which river runs through the region?

Answer 6

River Siurana

Question 7

What is the topography of Priorat?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

Why are the yields so low in Priorat?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

What are the average yields in Priorat?

Answer 9

5-6 hL/ha, though legally 39 hL/ha permitted

Question 10

Wine Tasting Note for Priorat?

Answer 10

Deeply coloured
high tannins
concentrated black fruit
high alcohol (balanced with ripe fruit
toasty aromas of oak (French)
with med+ acidity giving freshness

Question 11

Winemaking in Priorat?

Answer 11

Some very traditional - basket press
Modern - S/S, optical sorting machine, cultured yeast
matured in FR Oak, 1-2 yrs

Question 12

Wine Law - classifications?

Answer 12

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

Question 13

What are the qualifications for these classifications?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Who choses the term Old Vines?

Answer 14

Consejo Regulador certify the use of the term Old Vine, providing grapes come from vineyards min 75 years old, or planted before 1945

Question 15

Where is Montsant DO?

Answer 15

Montsant forms almost a complete ring around Priorat DOQ.

Question 16

Where are the Montsant vineyards?

Answer 16

In the south of the region where land flattens out to the lower valley of the River Ebro

Question 17

What is the climate here vs Priorat (continental) climate?

Answer 17

More mediterranean influence due to proximity to the coast (although Serra de Llaberia does provide some shelter) = temperatures in summer/winter not so extreme.

Question 18

What is the altitude of the vineyards in the more mountainous north?

Answer 18

300-700m, generally cooler

Question 19

What are the soils in Montsant?

Answer 19

a wide range. Some Llicorella, esp in south, in north/east soils are more limestone, slightly more fertile than Priorat.

Question 20

What is the topography vs Priorat?

Answer 20

less extreme, terraced slopes, easier to work than Priorat, trellising more common = mechanisation, plus some bush vines.

Question 21

What grapes dominate Montsant?

Answer 21

94% back grapes
2/3 Garnacha and Cariñena
followed by Tempranillo.
International varieties Syrah, Merlot and Cab Sab.

Question 22

Blends/Single Varietal wines?

Answer 22

Single varietal from Garnacha and Cariñena but also many wines are blended

Question 23

Generally the wine style is what?

Answer 23

Ripe
Full-bodied
high alcohol
med+ acidity
good to v good in quality and mid-priced
Some premium examples

Question 24

Name two significant producers from Montsant?

Answer 24

Espectacle and Seller de Capçanes

Question 25

Where is Costers del Segre DO??
How many sub-zones?
Climate

Answer 25

situated further north than other Catalunya DOs, 7 sub-zones
Continental, hot summer, cold winter
Low rainfall 40cm

Question 26

What grapes does Costers del Segre DO produce?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Style of wine made in Costers del Segre?

Answer 27

Fresh, fruity style, early drinking

Question 28

What is the key sustainability program?

Answer 28

40% of wineries adhere to the programme accounting for 70% of production, the programme is concerned with social, environmental and economic parameters.