Cataluna: NOT NTK DOPs

Question 1

Name the DOPs of Cataluna.

Answer 1

1. DO Cataluna/Catalunya (1999)
2. DO Cava (1986)
3. DO Emporda (1975)
4. DO Montsant (2002)
5. DO Penedes (1960)
6. DOQ Priorat (2009)
7. DO Terra Alta (1982)
8. DO Alella (1956)
9. DO Conca de Barbera (1985)
10. DO Costers del Segre (1988)
11. DO Pla de Bages (1998)
12. DO Tarragona (1947)

Question 2

Where is DO Alella located?

Answer 2

This DO is situated between the Cordillera Litoral and the Mediterranean Sea.
It has shrunk to about one-third of its original size & currently represents one of Spain’s smallest DOs.

Question 3

What is the climate in DO Alella?

Answer 3

Mediterranean
* 22-31in/550-800mm annual rainfall

Question 4

What soil types are found in DO Alella?

Answer 4

• Lowlands: granite, sandy alluvium
• Highlands: limestone w/ sandy topsoil

Question 5

What styles of wine are produced in DO Alella?

Answer 5

• Blanco: high-quality, aromatic, fruit-forward wines are focus
• Rosado
• Tinto
• Espumoso
• Other

Percentages not available

Question 6

Name the white varieties permitted in DO Alella.

Answer 6

Preferred:
* Garnacha Blanca: dominant
* Xarel.lo/Pansa Blanca: dominant
* Moscatel

Authorized:
* Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc, Macabeo, Malvasia, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Parellada, Picapoll Blanco, Sauvignon Blanc

Question 7

Name the red varieties permitted in DO Alella.

Answer 7

Preferred:
* Garnacha Tinta

Authorized:
* Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha Peluda, Merlot, Monastrell, Pinot Noir, Samso/Mazuelo (Carinena), Sumoll Negre, Syrah, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)

Question 8

Where is DO Conca de Barbera located?

Answer 8

This DO is situated northwest of DO Penedes, northeast of DO Montsant/DOQ Priorat and north of DO Tarragona.

Question 9

What is the climate in DO Conca de Barbera?

Answer 9

Mediterranean w/ continental influences
* 18-22in/450-500mm

Question 10

What soil types are found in DO Conca de Barbera?

Answer 10

• Central: clay-loam
• Mountain foothills in southwest: quartz-rich slate or llicorella

Question 11

What styles of wine are produced in DO Conca de Barbera?

Answer 11

• Tinto (59%)
• Blanco (32%): traditionally known for whites
• Rosado (9): Trepat primary variety (still & sparkling)
• Espumoso (<1%)
• Other (<1%)

Most producers focus on crafting base wines for cava.

Question 12

Name the white varieties authorized in DO Conca de Barbera.

Answer 12

• Chardonnay
• Chenin Blanc
• Garnacha Blanca
• Macabeo
• Moscatel de Alejandria
• Moscatel de Grano Menudo
• Parellada
• Sauvignon Blanc
• Sumoll Blanco
• Viognier

Question 13

Name the red varieties authorized in DO Conca de Barbera.

Answer 13

• Trepat: indigenous to this DO
• Cabernet Franc
• Cabernet Sauvignon
• Garnacha Tinta
• Merlot
• Monastrell
• Pinot Noir
• Samso (Carinena)
• Sumoll Tinto
• Syrah
• Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)

Question 14

Where is DO Costers del Segre located?

Answer 14

This DO is in western Cataluna & encompasses multiple non-contiguous vineyards sites at some of the highest elevations in the region.
It is named for the Segre River, one of Ebro River’s primary tributaries. (Costers translates as “banks” or “steep slopes”.

Question 15

What is the climate in DO Costers del Segre?

Answer 15

Mediterranean w/ continental influences
* 15-18in/380-450mm annual rainfall

Question 16

What soil types are found in DO Costers del Segre?

Answer 16

• Calcareous alluvium
• loam w/ sandy topsoil

Question 17

What styles of wine are produced in DO Costers del Segre?

Answer 17

• Tinto (55%)
• Blanco (37%)
• Rosado (7%)
• Espumoso (1%)
• Other (<1%)

This region is well-known for blending traditional native grapes w/ French varieties; these wines are considered some of Spain’s most unusual.

Question 18

Name the white varieties permitted in DO Costers del Segre.

Answer 18

Preferred:
* Macabeo, Parellada, Xarelo, Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel de Grano Grande/Moscatel de Alejandria, Malvasia/Subirat Parent, Gewurtraminer

Authorized:
* Albarino, Chenin Blanc, Moscatel de Grano Menudo, Viognier

Question 19

Name the red varieties permitted in DO Costers del Segre.

Answer 19

Preferred:
* Garnacha Tinta, Ull de Llebre/Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Garrut/Monastrell, Trepat, Samso/Mazuela (Carinena), Pinot Noir, Syrah

Authorized:
* Garnacha Tintorera, Petit Verdot

Question 20

Which DO encompasses a town formerly named Bacassis?

Answer 20

DO Pla de Bages (“plain of Bages”)

This town was named for Bacchus, the Roman god of agriculture & wine. it is one of Cataluna’s oldest wine-producing areas.

Question 21

Where is DO Pla de Bages located?

Answer 21

This appellation is in central Cataluna & largely encompasses a basin formed by the convergence of 2 rivers - Cardener River & Llobregat River.
Vineyards are planted at varying elevations throughout the central basin.

Question 22

What is the climate in DO Pla de Bages?

Answer 22

Mediterranean w/ continental influences
* 20-28in/500-700mm

Question 23

What soil types are found in DO Pla de Bages?

Answer 23

• Central basin: clay, marl
• Alt Bages: calcareous marl

Question 24

What styles of wine are produced in DO Pla de Bages?

Answer 24

• Tinto (68%): Garnacha (Tinta) & Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)
• Blanco (27%): Picapoll Blanco produces fresh, crisp wines that are popular
• Rosado (5%)
• Espumoso (<1%)
• Other (<1%)

International varieties are gaining traction.

Question 25

Name the *white* varieties permitted in DO Pla de Bages.

Answer 25

Preferred: * **Picapoll Blanco** * Macabeo * Parellada * Chardonnay Authorized: * Sauvignon Blanc * Gewurztraminer

Question 26

Name the *red* varieties permitted in DO Pla de Bages.

Answer 26

Preferred: * Sumoll * Garnacha (Tinta) * Ull de Llegre (Tempranillo) * Merlot * Cabernet Sauvignon Authorized: * Cabernet Franc * Syrah

Question 27

Where is DO Tarragona located?

Answer 27

This **DO** is located in the southwestern area of **Cataluna** and is divided into 2 distinct areas: 1. *Camp de Tarragona* (Tarragon Plain): lies along the coast & stretches inland. 2. *Ribera d'Ebre* (Bank of the Ebro River): vineyards planted on terraces flanking both sides of the ***Ebro River***

Question 28

What is the climate in DO Tarragona?

Answer 28

**Mediterranean** * 18-26in/465-650mm annual rainfall

Question 29

What soil types are found in DO Tarragona?

Answer 29

Primarily *alluvium* s/ some *loam*, *limestone*, *granite*

Question 30

What styles of wine are produced in DO Tarragona?

Answer 30

* ***Tinto*** (62%) * ***Blanco*** (27%) * ***Rosado*** (4%) * ***Espumoso*** (1%) * Other (6%): largely *rancio*-style wines; ***Tarragona Clasico***

Question 31

Name the *white* varieties authorized in DO Tarragona.

Answer 31

Chardonnay, Garnacha Blanca, Moscatel de Grano Menudo/Moscatel de Frontignan, Moscatel de Alejandria, Parellada/Montonenc/Montonega, Sauvignon Blanc, Subirant Pariente/Malvasia, Macabeo, Xarel.lo White varieties represent 83% of the vineyard area & are largely used for the production of cava.

Question 32

Name the *red* varieties authorized in DO Tarragona.

Answer 32

Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha, Merlot, Monestrell/Garrut (Monastrell), Pinot Noir, Samso/Carignane (Carinena), Sumoll, Syrah, Ull de Llebre (Tempranillo)

Question 33

How are the *rancio*-styled wines of DO Tarragona produced?

Answer 33

Wine is put into glass demijohns & left out in the sun before undergoing min. 4 years aging in oak barrels.

Question 34

What is ***Tarragona Clasico***?

Answer 34

***Classic Tarragona*** is a high-alcohol sweet wine crafted from overripe **Garnacha** grapes that age for **12 years** in large oak containers. Production sometimes incorporates a *solera* system. It is crafted in DO Tarragona.