20.6 Spain - Catalunya

Question 1

What city provides a large local market for the consumption of Catalunya’s wines?

Answer 1

Barcelona

Question 2

What are three (of 11) DOs within Catalunya (excluding the broad Catalunya DO itself)

Answer 2

1) Montsant DO
2) Penedes DO
3) Costers del Segre DO

Question 3

What is the one DOCQ of Catalunya?

Answer 3

Priorat

Question 4

What is Vi de Finca?

Answer 4

Catalunya’s scheme for exceptional wines from single estates.

Question 5

What is Catalunya DO?

Answer 5

The widely used DO for grapes sourced from across the region including international varieties

Question 6

Why might it be preferable for Catalunya DO to be used on a label than, say, Penedes DO?

Answer 6

Catalunya has better recognition in export markets

Question 7

What are the three local varieties of Penedes?

Answer 7

1) Xarel-lo
2) Macabeo
3) Parellada

Question 8

What are the most planted white and black international grape varieties in Penedes? (2)

Answer 8

1) Chardonnay
2) Merlot

Question 9

What are the three climatic zones of Penedes running from the coast to further inland?

Answer 9

1) Penedes Maritim
2) Penedes Central
3) Penedes Superior

Question 10

What is Penedes’ general climate and why?

Answer 10

1) Mediterranean
2) Warm without temperature extremes due to low altitude and close proximity to the sea

Question 11

What wines are common of Penedes Maritim?

Answer 11

Full-bodied red wines from Monastrell

Question 12

To what altitude are Penedes Central’s vineyards planted?

Answer 12

Low to 500m

Question 13

To what altitude are Penedes Superior’s vineyards planted?

Answer 13

500-800m

Question 14

What four white varieties are found in Penedes Superior?

Answer 14

Chardonnay
Sauvignon Blanc
Riesling
Gewurz

Question 15

What black grape variety might be seen in Penedes Superior?

Answer 15

Pinot Noir

Question 16

Why might Pinot Noir, Riesling and Gewurz thrive in Penedes Superior?

Answer 16

Altitude and diurnal range

Question 17

May irrigation be used in Penedes?

Answer 17

Yes in cases of vine stress with the authorisation of the Con. Reg

Question 18

What are the general soil characteristics of Penedes?

Answer 18

Loamy with some calcareous components that hold sufficient water during the growing season

Question 19

Where is 65% of Penedes wines consumed?

Answer 19

Domestically

Question 20

Describe a typical Penedes wine (white or red)

Answer 20

Fermented with short maturation in stainless steel for a clean, fruit, early drinking wines.

Question 21

What is the climate of Priorat? (3)

Answer 21

1) Warm continental
2) Hot days, cool nights
3) Hot summers, cold winters

Question 22

Why is the climate of Priorat the way it is?

Answer 22

It is protected in the north (from cold winds) and south (from the Med) by mountain ranges

Question 23

In what two instances is irrigation permitted in Priorat?

Answer 23

1) To establish young vines
2) In the driest years

Question 24

What is the river that runs through Priorat, and what effect does it have?

Answer 24

1) Siurana
2) Creates a range of altitudes and aspects

Question 25

Name one of the three wineries that helped five Priorat's reputation during the 1990s

Answer 25

Clos Mogador

Question 26

What is the local Priorat term for slopes?

Answer 26

Costers from 5-60% gradient

Question 27

Why are narrow terraces common in Priorat's vineyards? (3)

Answer 27

1) Due to the gradient 2) To reduce soil erosion 3) To reduce surface run-off of rain

Question 28

To what altitude does Priorat extend?

Answer 28

100-750m

Question 29

What is llicorella?

Answer 29

The local term for the common slate-based soils of Priorat

Question 30

What are three advantages of llicorella?

Answer 30

1) Thin 2) Low in nutrients 3) Mica reflects light and heat onto the vines

Question 31

What aspect of Priorat's geology allows vines to penetrate deep in search of water? Hint: same as in Douro

Answer 31

The bedrock of slate splits into vertical layers rather than horizontal

Question 32

Priorat's yields can be as low as 5hL/ha. Why? (2)

Answer 32

1) Old vines 2) Low nutrient/water levels

Question 33

What is the maximum yield of Priorat?

Answer 33

39 hL/ha

Question 34

What are the two traditional local varieties of Priorat?

Answer 34

1) Garnacha 2) Carinena

Question 35

How might a traditional Priorat be made in the winery? (3)

Answer 35

1) Basket press 2) Large oak fermentation 3) 1-2 year maturation in French oak

Question 36

Why are cultured yeasts favoured in Priorat?

Answer 36

They can reliably ferment the high sugar grapes to dryness in a controlled period

Question 37

What are Priorat's four classifications based on where grapes are grown and how do they loosely correspond to Burgundy?

Answer 37

1) Vi de Vila - 1/12 sub-zones 2) Vi de Paratge - lieu dit 3) Vinya Classificada - cru 4) Gran Vinya Classificada - grand cru

Question 38

The majority of Montsant DOs vineyards are where within the region?

Answer 38

Towards the south where the land flattens to the lower valley of the River Ebro

Question 39

What is the climate of Montsant DO?

Answer 39

More Mediterranean than Priorat due to proximity to the coast with less extreme summers and winters

Question 40

In which two seasons does most rain fall in Montsant?

Answer 40

Winter and spring

Question 41

Describe the soils of Montsant (2)

Answer 41

1) Patches of llicorella in the south with higher limestone content in the north and east 2) More fertile than Priorat

Question 42

Where is Montsant DO situated?

Answer 42

Surrounding Priorat

Question 43

What are the three primary black varieties of Montsant DO?

Answer 43

Garnacha, Carinena, Tempranillo

Question 44

Name a significant producer of Montsant DO

Answer 44

Celler de Capcanes

Question 45

What is the general wine style of Montsant?

Answer 45

Similar to Priorat i.e. Garnacha, Carinena in French oak with some Tempranillo allowed

Question 46

What is the climate of Costers del Segre DO?

Answer 46

Continental being towards the north of Catalunya and away from the Mediterranean

Question 47

What are the soils of Costers del Segre DO?

Answer 47

Sandy and free-draining

Question 48

What is the altitude of Costers del Segre?

Answer 48

200-700m

Question 49

Is irrigation permitted in Costers del Segre DO?

Answer 49

Yes, and often required due to sandy soils and low rainfall

Question 50

Name a significant producer in Costers del Segre

Answer 50

Raimat

Question 51

What is the general wine style of Costers del Segre?

Answer 51

Fresh, fruity and early drinking from Garnacha, Temp and Merlot, Cab