20.6 - Catalunya

Question 1

In general, how important are int’l varieties in Catalunya.

Answer 1

Important - higher % than other parts of Spain and similar to Somontano and Navarra

Question 2

What kind of wine is produced under the Catalunya DO? Why is it popular?

Answer 2

Used by large brands

• Use of many varieties
• Freedom to source from across the region
• Catalunya is a well-recognised name and a strong soft brand

Question 3

Describe the situation, climate, rainfall and soil of Penedes DO.

Name its three sub-zones and describe the topography of each.

Answer 3

Situation large area from Barcelona to inland mountains

Climate warm Mediterranean but with some differences between sub-zones

Rainfall low around 500mm, esp. in summer

Soil Loam and calcareous –> water retention

Subzones:

Penedès Marítim: coastal region, low altitude and warm

Penedès Central: flat plains, higher altitude around 500m

Penedès Superior: furthest inland, 500-800m

Question 4

Map the three sub-zones of Penedes DO with the type of wine they produce.

Answer 4

Penedès Marítim - full-bodied reds from Monastrell, some white from Cava varieties

Penedès Central - lots of white wine from Cava varieties plus reds from int’ls and Temp

Penedès Superior - white from int’l varieties incl Riesling and Gewurtz plus some Pinot Noir

Question 5

How has the Penedes DO changed in recent years?

Answer 5

It has introduced sub-zoning - ten sub-zones now mapped

Sub-zone labelling requires 100% of grapes come from that sub-zone

Question 6

Where is wine from Catalunya DO sold?

Answer 6

70 domestic (with most sold in local region –> large tourism industry)

30 exported

Question 7

Describe the characteristics of Xarel-lo, Parellada, and Macabeo in terms of budding, ripening, vulnerabilities and flavour.

Answer 7

Budding

Parellada: early-budding

Xarel-lo: mid-budding

Macabeo: late-budding

Ripening

Macabeo: early ripening

Xarel-lo: mid-ripening

Parellada: late-ripening (must be planted at altitude to avoid excessive ABV)

Susceptible

Parellada: frost, powdery mildew

Xarel-lo: Powdery and downy mildew

Macabeo: Botrytis and bacterial blight

Flavour

Parellada: floral

Macabeo: Light intensity apple, lemon

Xarel-lo: Greengage, gooseberry, fennel; works well with oak

Question 8

Where are Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada best planted respectively?

Answer 8

Macabeo - widely planted at high vols

Xarel-lo - suited to moderate temps

Parellada - cooler areas where it can ripen without too much ABV

Question 9

Why has Priorat struggled in recent history?

How was the region’s reputation revived?

Answer 9

Mountainous topography, extreme weather, phylloxera, growth of local industries –> vineyard abandoned late c19th

1989 - René Barbier (Clos Mogador) worked with other growers to revive top plots, use of int’l varieties alongside Garnacha/Carinena, French winemaking techniques

Priorat was then promoted to DOQ in 2009

Question 10

Describe the situation, climate, topography, rainfall and soil of Priorat.

Answer 10

Situation southern part of Catalunya, slightly inland

Climate warm, continental - protected from Med breeze and cold northerly winds by surrounding mountains

Topography very hilly with River Siurana contributing to large range of aspects/elevations 100-750m; many vineyards of costers which need terracing

Rainfall 500-600mm with heavy storms in winter and spring

Soil Rocky and poor, lots of slate with mica llicorella

Question 11

Why is production in Priorat so expensive? (3)

Answer 11

1. Terrain: extremely hilly terrain increases labour costs esp. if terracing needed
2. Poor soils: limit yield via nutrients and water
3. Climate: lack of rainfall further lowers yields; frost a threat

Yields can be as low as 5-6 hL/ha

Question 12

Describe the function of terracing in Priorat (2)

Answer 12

1. Limits erosion on steep costers of up to 60% gradient
2. Reduces water run-off

Question 13

Describe the soil of Priorat in detail. How do they influence vine growth and grape ripening?

Answer 13

Largely poor and stony but with some outcrops of clay

Llicorella - most common - thin, rocky with particles of mica –> reflect heat and light

Bedrock splits into vertical layers allowing vines to grow deep –> access to water

Question 14

To what extent are vineyards trellised in Priorat?

Answer 14

Newer vineyards may be - although still low density like the traditional bush vines

Question 15

Which grape varieties are planted in Priorat?

Answer 15

Garnacha and Carinena are most common (2/3 of black grape plantings) - both well suited to dry, hot conditions

Cab, Syrah, Merlot make up most of remaining 1/3

White grapes are 6% of plantings, mainly Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo

Question 16

Why are cultured yeasts popular in Priorat?

Answer 16

High potential ABV means ambient yeast can struggle

Question 17

Describe the style of red typically produced in Priroat.

To what extent does winemaking vary?

Answer 17

Concentrated, ripe fruit - flavours vary depending on blend and oak usage

Med(+) acid, high alcohol, full body

Winemaking varies from traditional to high tech

Question 18

Outline Priorat’s classification system.

Answer 18

• Vi de Vila – Grapes must come from one of Priorat’s 12 sub-zones
• Vi de Paratge – grapes grown within a single paratge or named site, 459 noted from their terrain, geology and microclimate.
• Vinya Classificada – A wine from a single vineyard of particular merit within a Paratje, equivalent to a cru.
• Gran Vinya Classificada – A wine from a single vineyard of exceptional merit within a
Paratje, equivalent to a grand cru.

For any of the above:

• Producer must own or have a long-term lease of the vineyard
• Each classification has its own regs for min % of Garnacha, Carinena; vine age, max yields
• Top levels require the brand having received critical recognition of at least five years

Question 19

Compare Priorat’s max and typical yields.

Answer 19

Max yield is moderately low - 39 hL/ha

Average yields can be as low as 5-6 hL/ha

Question 20

What does the term old vines mean in Priorat?

Answer 20

Vines certified at least 75yrs old

Question 21

How much of Priorat is planted?

Answer 21

Only 2,000 of 18,000ha

Question 22

Compare the growing environment of Montsant to Priorat including situation, climate, rain, topography and soil.

Answer 22

Situation Monstant surrounds Priorat with most vineyards on the flatter land to the south

Climate more Mediterranean (less extreme temps), Sierra de Llaberia does provide some shelter

Rain Also dry with rain in winter and spring

Topography Less extreme than Priorat although higher altitude vineyards in north 300-700m are cooler

Soil A range of soils including some llicorella, in general more fertile than Priorat

Question 23

Why is Montsant wine cheaper than Priorat? (2)

Answer 23

1. More fertile soil –> higher yield
2. Flatter land –> allows for more mechanisation

Question 24

Compare the plantings, winemaking and wine style of Montsant to Priorat

Answer 24

Grapes Black grapes dominate (94%) and Garnacha and Cariena dominate (2/3) - exactly as in Priorat but 3rd most planted is Tempranillo, int’l varieties also significant

Winemaking very similar to Priorat incl oak ageing for 1-2 years

Style similar to Priorat with less concentration but still ripe, full-bodied of at least good quality

Question 25

Compare the size of Montsant and Priorat in terms of vineyards planted and number of wineries.

Answer 25

Similar sizes - around 2000ha planted

50 wineries in Montsant, 110 in Priorat

Question 26

To what extent are co-ops important in Montsant?

Answer 26

Majority of production although number of producers have risen considerably

Question 27

Where are wines from Montsant sold?

Answer 27

45% exported - quite high

Question 28

Describe the situation, climate, topography and soils of Costers del Segre.

Answer 28

Situation several separate areas of inland Catalunya

Climate continental with low rainfall 400mm

Topography various elevations 200-700m

Soils Sandy and free draining –> most vineyards need irrigation

Question 29

What grapes are planted in Costers del Segre?

What style of wines are most common?

Answer 29

Grapes incl. Cava varieties for sparkling and still (Manuel Raventos first planted and one area is home to Raimat estate)

And int’l varieties - Chardon, Sauvignon, Cab, Merlot

Style generally fresh and fruity and mid-priced

Question 30

How large are the vineyards that make up Costers del Serge?

Name a significant producer.

What programme is popular in the region?

Answer 30

4,000ha (about double Priorat, Montsant)

Raimat - owns 1/3 of vineyard land

Sustainability programme which covers 70% of production