Spain - Catalunya

Question 1

Where is Catalunya located, what’s the general climate, and what’s a key reason for success?

Answer 1

Autonomous community. NE Spain, Mediterranean Sea to the east, and the altitude inland are major influences on the climate.
Similar to Navarra and Somotano nearby, there’s a high proportion of international varieties grown (generally from France) than many other areas.
Barcelona provides a large local market for consumption.
It’s been at the forefront of changes to and innovations in growing and winemaking in recent decades.

Question 2

What is the breakdown of denominations, and what’s the classification for single estates?

Answer 2

11 DOs and 1 DOQ.
Vi de Finca. Catalunya has its own classification for exceptional wines from single estates.
Providing specifications are met, including on yields and minimum length of time for the wine to be established on the market, these wines may be labelled Vi de Finca.

Question 3

In what situations in Catalunya DO used?

Answer 3

It applies to grapes grown anywhere in the autonomy. Widely used, especially by the largest producers for their inexpensive and mid wines (eg Torres Viña Sol).
It allows freedom from other smaller DOs in terms of where grapes can be sourced from, and the range of all varieties permitted, but also Catalunya is a more widely recognised name in export markets than, for eg, Penedes.

Question 4

What are does Penedès DO cover, and what styles of wine are produced here?

Answer 4

A diverse area of land stretching from the Mediterranean coast, just down from Barcelona, to the mountains inland, and makes a range of various wine styles including Cava.

Question 5

What is the general climate of Penedès DO?

Answer 5

Overall warm Mediterranean. However the DO can be divided into 3 different zones with topographical and climatic influences, enabling a wide range of varieties.

Question 6

What is the breakdown of plantings in Penedès DO?

Answer 6

White varieties make up 80% of plantings, Xarel-lo, Macabeo and Parellada are the most planted of each colour, and are used for Cava, sparkling and still wines, often blended together.
There’s sizeable plantings of Chardonnay and smaller amounts of many varieties including Moscatel (Alexandria and Blanc à PG) Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurz and Riesling.
Merlot is the most planted black variety, followed by Cab Sauv, Tempranillo, PN, Syrah and other permitted varieties.

Question 7

What is the Penedès Marítim? What is significant about it?

Answer 7

The climatic zone that lies between the sea and the coastal range of hills.
Due to low altitude and proximity to the sea, it was a warm climate without extremes.
A source of full-bodied reds from late ripening varieties such as Monastrell.
Some Xarel-lo Macabeo and Parellada are also grown, generally for inexpensive still wines.

Question 8

What is the Penedès Central? What is significant about it?

Answer 8

Lies on the relatively flat plains, known as the Pre-Coastal Depression, between the coastal range and the inland mountains. Vineyards are still at moderately high altitudes compared to Penedès Marítim, reaching up around 500m providing a cooling influence.
Large plantings of XMP are grown, as well as Merlot, Cab Sauv and Chardonnay.

Question 9

What is the Penedès Superior? What is significant about it?

Answer 9

Located at altitudes of 500-800m in the inland mountains (between Montserrat and the Montmell. The altitude provides a cooling influence during the day and a wide diurnal range, but spring frosts are often a problem.
The cool conditions mean white varieties eg Chard, Sauv B as well as small amounts of Riesling and Gewurz are grown here, becoming ripe while retaining acidity.
Pinot noir is also grown.

Question 10

What is water availability like for Penedès DO?

Answer 10

Rainfall is approx 500mm with the driest period in summer.
Irrigation can be used if the vines are suffering from lack of water, but authorisation must be given by the Consejo Regulador.
Soils are generally loamy, with some calcerous components and generally can store enough water throughout the ripening period.

Question 11

What is typical training for Penedès DO?

Answer 11

A number of vineyards, especially the largest, are trellised allowing mechanisation, but there’s also many plots of bush vines.

Question 12

When did Penedès DO modernise its winemaking?

Answer 12

One of the first to do so in Spain in the 1960s and 70s, led by Dijon educated Miguel Torres. The introduction of temperature controlled steel fermentation meant the region became known as a source of clean, fruity wines, both aromatic whites and fruity, early drinking reds.

Question 13

What is typical winemaking for premium Penedès wines?

Answer 13

Applicable to reds and some Chardonnays, they’ll often be matured in oak, usually French. Good to very good.

Question 14

What has Penedès DO introduced in recent years?

Answer 14

In line with other Spanish DOs, a more precise zoning of its vineyard area and ten subzones have been mappee based on geographical and cultural parameters.
P ate able to label their wines with a sub zone providing certain specifications are met, eg 100% of grapes must come from vineyards in the sub zone and have been grown organically.

Question 15

What is the breakdown of sales for Penedès DO?

Answer 15

30% exported, largest markets are Germany, Canada, Switzerland, China and the USA.
Sales in Catalunya make up around 90% of domestic sales.
Nearby Barcelona is a major source, as well as a hub from.which tourists can easily visit the region.

Question 16

When does winemaking date back to in Priorat? When did it start to gain popularity?

Answer 16

Carthusian Monks started to plant and vinify in the 12th century.
Only in the last few decades did it receive international recognition.

Question 17

What factors have negatively influenced plantings in Priorat?

Answer 17

Lack of easy access, challenging topography and some extremes of weather have always made viticulture difficult.
At the end of the 19th century, the outbreak of phylloxera and growth of the textile industry in Catalunya brought many vineyards to be abandoned as local workers moved to find jobs nearer the cities. Wines only continued to be produced by the local co-operative and a couple of small estates.

Question 18

What factors have positively affected plantings in Priorat?

Answer 18

In 1989, a local producer, René Barbier, formed a small group of viticulturalists and winemakers to collaboratively re-invigorate several specific vineyards and produce wines, blending Cab Sauv, Merlot and Syrah with local varieties.
By the mid-1990s these wines (Clos Mogador, Clos Dofí, Clos de L’Obac, Clos Martinet and Clos Erasmus) had begun to receive critical acclaim from some of the world’s most esteemed critics, and were being sold at premium and super premium prices, using French winemaking techniques such as maturation in French barriques.

Question 19

What has happened to number of estates in Priorat? When was it promoted to DOQ?

Answer 19

From the late 1990s it increased dramatically, with about 50 wineries by the mid 2000s.
2009.

Question 20

What is the general climate of Priorat?

Answer 20

Warm continental. Protected from cold winds by the Serra de Montsant in the North, and much Mediterranean influence by the Serra de Llaberia to the south.
Summers are hot, but with a high diurnal range. Winters are cold, to the point spring frosts can be a problem.

Question 21

What is water availability in Priorat?

Answer 21

Rainfall is typically 500-600mm, falling mainly in heavy storms in winter and spring, with summers being dry.
Irrigation is permitted in the driest years, and when establishing new vineyards.

Question 22

What factor influences topography in Priorat?

Answer 22

The River Siurana runs through, and the winding valleys carved by the river and its many tributaries provide a broad range of altitudes (100-750m) and aspects.
The area is extremely rugged, and although the DOQ covers an area of around 17,600ha, just under 2000ha are planted, well below the area under vine before phylloxera.

Question 23

Where are many vineyards of Priorat located, and how are they farmed?

Answer 23

On slopes known as costers, ranging from 5% to 60% gradient.
Narrow terraces are a common feature, helping to reduce soil erosion and allow rainwater to better infiltrate the soil, as surface run off is reduced.
In neither case can machines access the vineyards, so all work done by hand.

Question 24

What is the general soil type of Priorat?

Answer 24

Soils are varied. Largely poor and stony but with some areas of clay. The more common slate-based soils - llicorella, are thin, rocky and lacking in nutrients, with characteristic particles of mica reflecting light and heat back into the vineyard.
The bedrock of slate splits into vertical layers and means that vine roots can grow deep in search of the limited water available.

Question 25

What factors affect yields in Priorat?

Answer 25

The low nutrient and water levels lead to low levels, especially for the many old vines in the area.
Average yields can be as low as 5-6hL/ha, though the maximum is 39. Such small yields have an implication on production costs and prices.

Question 26

How are vines typically trained in Priorat?

Answer 26

Old vineyards typically to bush vines, newer are trellised with VSP where the terrain makes it possible to do so. However, large areas of high density plantings are rare.

Question 27

What is the division of plantings in Priorat? What makes the top varieties suitable?

Answer 27

Garnacha and Cariñena make up the majority (2/3rds plantings of black varieties), with Garnacha being the most planted. Both are suited to the hot days and dry conditions, with Cariñena especially being suited to the harsh conditions, and is planted on the warmest sites.
Cab Sauv, Syrah and Merlot make up the rest of plantings.
Popularity of international varieties has begun to fall, and some P use only native.

Question 28

Which white varieties are planted in Priorat?

Answer 28

Predominantly Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo, and make up 6% of plantings used for a small amount of white wine.

Question 29

What is typical winemaking in Priorat?

Answer 29

Ranges from traditional old basket presses and large oak fermentation vats to modern, steel tanks and optical sorting machines.
Cultured yeasts often used as high potential alcohol means fermentation can be slow with ambient yeasts, taking many weeks.
Reds are matured in oak, often French for 1-2 yrs.

Question 30

What profile do quality driven winemakers strive for in Priorat?

Answer 30

Aiming for freshness in fruit character and acidity. With warm conditions and low yields its easy for wines to reach 14.5% abv and above, but in very good and outstanding wines this is balanced with concentrated, ripe but not jammy fruit, with medium (+) acidity.

Question 31

What are the four classifications for Priorat and geographical labelling?

Answer 31

• Vi de Vila: grapes must come from one of 12 sub zones. The name.of the sub zone then Vi de Vila will be on label.
• Vi de Paratge: equivalent to lieu dit in France. There’s 459 paratge noted for terrain, geology and microclimate. They cover the entire area of Priorat DOQ
• Vinya Classificada: a wine from a single vineyard of particular merit from within a paratge, equivalent to cru
• Gran Vinya Classificada: the same, but equivalent to Grand Cru.

Question 32

What are requirements to qualify for the classifications in Priorat?

Answer 32

Producers must own the vineyard from which they come from, or have rented it for 7 years.
Each classification has its own specification in terms of minimum proportions of Garnacha and Cariñena.
Wines classified as (Gran) Vinya Classificada involve critical ‘recognition’ as an outstanding wine brand for a minimum of 5 years.

Question 33

When can the term old vines be used in Priorat?

Answer 33

The Consejo Regulador allows it if the grapes come from vineyards that are over 75 years or were planted before 1945.

Question 34

Where is Montsant DO located, and what is the general climate and topography?

Answer 34

Forms almost a complete ring around Priorat DOQ. The majority of the vineyards are in the south of the region where the land flattens out to the lower valley of the River Ebro.
Climate is more Mediterranean than Priorat due to proximity to the coast (though the Serra de Llaberia does provide some shelter) hence temperatures in summer and winter are not so extreme.
Summers are generally warm and dry, with most rain falling in the winter and spring.
There’s some vineyards in the more mountainous North of the region, with higher altitudes (300-700m) and generally cooler temperatures.

Question 35

What is the general soil type of Montsan DO?

Answer 35

A mixture, ranging from clay to sandy.
There’s some patches of llicorella particularly towards the south, whereas in the North and East, soils tend to have higher limestone content.
In general, soils are more fertile than those of Priorat, and yields tend to be higher.

Question 36

How are vineyard management techniques different in Montsant to Priorat?

Answer 36

Generally easier to work. Topography is less extreme, especially in the south.
A number of slopes are terraced, which reduces erosion and helps better retain water, as also practiced in Priorat.
Trellised vineyards are relatively common, permitting mechanisation, though there are vineyards planted to bush vines.

Question 37

What is the division of plantings in Montsant DO, how does this reflect wine styles?

Answer 37

Blacks dominate at 94%
Cariñena and Garnacha make 2/3rds of that.
Unlike Priorat, Tempranillo is the next most planted variety, but there’s significant plantings of Syrah, Merlot, and Cab Sauv.
Many wines are blends, but there are single varietal Garnacha and Cariñena that aren’t uncommon.

Question 38

What is typical winemaking and profile of Montsant DO?

Answer 38

Typical for wines to be matured for 1-2 yrs in French or American barrels.
The style depends on varieties, area of production and the P, but generally the wines, especially from the S, tend to be ripe, full bodied and high alcohol. Medium (+) levels of acidity can provide freshness from the coolest areas and sites.
Good to very good and mid with some premium and super examples.

Question 39

Who are significant producers in Montsant DO?

Answer 39

Espectacle and Cellar Capçanes.

Question 40

What non red wines are made in Montsant DO?

Answer 40

A small proportion of white, generally from Garnacha Blanca and Macabeo.

Question 41

What is the breakdown of land holdings and production in Montsant DO?

Answer 41

1900ha of vineyards, farmed by 700 growers, produced by about 60 wineries.
Co-operatives account for the majority of production.

Question 42

What event caused the number of individual producers to rapidly grow in Montsant DO?

Answer 42

It was awarded DO status in 2001. It drew a number of producers based in Priorat, attracted by the similar climate but cheaper land.

Question 43

What is the state of exports from Montsant DO?

Answer 43

45% exported, Germany, USA, France, Switzerland and the UK are the biggest markets.

Question 44

Where is Costers del Segre DO located? What is the general climate?

Answer 44

Further north than other Catalunyan DOs and consists of 7 not entirely contiguous subzones.
Relatively far from the Mediterranean coast, it has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters.
Average annual rainfall is low at 400mm.

Question 45

What put Costers del Segre on the map?

Answer 45

The region was first planted in the early 1900s by Manuel Raventós (Codorníu), but decades of establishment work were needed before the semi-arid land could support vines.
The saline soils were gradually improved and irrigation channels were installed.
The Raventós winery, Raimat, produced its first commercial vintage in 1978, and by the success of their first view vintages, the DO was established in the mid 1980s.

Question 46

What is the topography of Costers del Segre? Which varieties are grown?

Answer 46

Varies in altitude from 200-700m.
The cooler sites at the highest altitudes are used for producing Cava grapes, but also white varieties and some early ripening black.
Elsewhere, MPX are grown (mainly for Cava), Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca and Sauvignon Blanc are used for white, and Garnacha, Tempranillo, Cab Sauv and Merlot are used for red and rosé.

Question 47

What soils are found in Costers del Segre DO?

Answer 47

Sandy and free draining, which when coupled with low rainfall make irrigation essential in most vineyards.

Question 48

What is the general winemaking and style of Costers del Segre?

Answer 48

Single varietal wines can be found, but most are blends, using local and international varieties.
Generally made in a fresh, fruity style for early drinking.
Reds and Chard may be aged in French or American oak, though P are tending to use less than in the past.
Wines are usually mid, with some premium.

Question 49

What is the breakdown of land holdings and production in Costers del Segre DO?

Answer 49

4000ha, with Raimat owning about 1/3rd of the land.
There’s now about 40 wineries. Another significant producer is Castell d’Encus.

Question 50

What program does Costers del Segre have?

Answer 50

Its own sustainability program is concerned with social, environmental, and economic parameters: in 2016-17, over 40% of wineries were adhering to the program, accounting for over 70% of production.