Catalan wine
Catalan wines are those that are produced in the
The area has a long
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0e/Torres_wine_cellars.jpg/220px-Torres_wine_cellars.jpg)
Archaeological evidence suggests that the
In the 14th century, the
In 1872, the sparkling wine Cava was invented in the Penedès region and eventually became an internationally recognized wine style. When phylloxera hit the region towards the end of the 19th century, Catalonia's vineyards comprised over 80% red wine grapes. The growing Cava industry encouraged planting of more white wine grapes, in place of the diseased red rootstock, where they now make up nearly 70% of the region's vineyards.[4]
During the 20th century, the Catalan wine industry became one of the leaders of the innovation behind the Spanish wine revolution, embracing modern winemaking techniques and increasing the plantings of
Climate and geography
The Catalan wine region is located along the
Grapes and wine
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Xarel_lo_Cava_grapes.jpg/220px-Xarel_lo_Cava_grapes.jpg)
The wines of the Catalan wine region include sparkling Cava, dry white wines and powerful reds, known as "black" wine or vi negre in
Cava
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/R%C3%BCttelpult.jpg/220px-R%C3%BCttelpult.jpg)
A Spanish sparkling wine was first made as early as 1851,
The local Macabeu, Parellada and Xarel·lo have since become established as the most popular grapes for producing cava. Early versions were called Catalan champán or xampany after
According to Spanish wine laws, Cava can be produced in six wine regions (such as
Wine regions
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Vinos_DO_de_Catalu%C3%B1a.svg/220px-Vinos_DO_de_Catalu%C3%B1a.svg.png)
The Catalan wine region includes
Alella
The Alella DOP is located near the city of Barcelona and was awarded DOP status in 1956. The area is known mainly for its white wine production which can range from oak aged sweet wine to cool fermented dry wines. The principal grape of the area is the Pansa blanca, a local name for the Xarel·lo grape. There are some plantings of the international varieties Chardonnay and Chenin blanc, used in both still wine and Cava production.[1]
Conca de Barberà
The Conca de Barberà DOP is located between the Costers del Segre, Penedès and Tarragona DOPs with vineyards at elevations of around 1,600 ft (490 m) above sea level. The climate of the region is marked by hot summer days, cool nights chilled by the nearby ocean breeze, and cold winters. The limestone based soils are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Pinot noir, which are used to make still wines as well as contribute to some Cava production. Rosé wines are produced from the local Trepat grape.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Cabernet_Sauvignon_Gaillac.jpg/200px-Cabernet_Sauvignon_Gaillac.jpg)
Costers del Segre
The Costers del Segre DOP is located near the city of
Empordà
The Empordà DOP is located in the far north-east of Catalonia, among the foothills of the
The wind alone was not enough to prevent the outbreak of the phylloxera epidemic in the mid 19th century, which nearly destroyed the entire Empordà wine industry despite many individuals watching and analyzing the progress of the disease as it made its way south from France.[7] Many vineyards were only replanted as recently as the latter half of the 20th century and even early 21st.
The principal grapes of the region are Grenache and Carignan. These two core grapes along with general varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are used for red wines and the large quantity of rosé wines. The Grenache is also used to make a very notable dessert wine. White production has increased a great deal in recent years as well.[7]
The Empordà wine route consists of 32 wineries and passes by the main vineyards in the region. It resembles the local traditions of combining food and landscape, wine and adventure, heritage and oenology. Numerous unique experiences, such as staged excursions to wineries and vineyards, tastings by the sea, or the opportunity to see firsthand the harvest and traditional winemaking processes, also include the wine tourism package. Not to mention the oenological centers and museums, which are full of creative ways to approach wine culture.[8]
Montsant
The Montsant DOP was formed in 2001 in the area around Falset, Tarragona to distinguish itself from the wines of the greater Tarragona DO. This upland area is noted for its old Garnacha and Cariñena vines along steeply sloping vineyards.[1]
Penedès
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/66/Cava_vines_in_Penedes.jpg/200px-Cava_vines_in_Penedes.jpg)
The Penedès DOP is the largest and most productive wine region of Catalonia and is considered the birthplace of Cava. The region has a long winemaking history and its proximity to Barcelona has had a strong export market. In the 19th century it was one of the first Spanish wine regions to implement a large-scale commercial wine production particularly for export to post-phylloxera France. In the 1960s and 1970s, the Penedès region led in the Spanish wine industry's technological revolution; it was the first wine region to adopt the use of temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. The region also began to increase its varieties and improve its vine stock with clonal vine selections of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot noir, Riesling and Sauvignon blanc.[1]
The region is divided into three zones – the lowland Baix Penedès, the Penedès central which lies between coastal and inland mountain ranges, and the upland Alt Penedès. The warmer Baix Penedès, centered on the town of El Vendrell and extending to the Costa Daurada coastline, has long been known for its fortified wines made from Malvasia and Moscatell d'Alexandria (Muscat of Alexandria), but has a growing reputation for non-fortified reds made from Carinyena, Garnatxa and Monastrell.
The Central Penedès is located in a broad valley about 1,600 ft (490 m) above sea level and centered on the regional capital of Vilafranca del Penedès, the largest winery there being Bodegas Torres. The nearby town of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia provides another focal point for the area, being the acknowledged center of Spanish Cava production. Traditionally made from the area's Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo grapes, the increased use of Chardonnay and Pinot noir in Cava blends has seen a corresponding expansion in areas of the region dedicated to those grapes. The Central Penedès has also been increasing its red wine production based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Tempranillo called Ull de Llebre in Catalan.
The Penedès Superior is located in the foothills of the mountains enclosing the Central Depression and is the coolest part of the region, used almost exclusively for white wine production.[1]
Pla de Bages
The Pla de Bages DOP is located northwest of Barcelona, growing many of the same varieties as the nearby Penedès region but with more emphasis on international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.[1]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Catalunya%2BComarques%2BCatal%C3%A0.jpg/200px-Catalunya%2BComarques%2BCatal%C3%A0.jpg)
Priorat
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Priorat_hillside.jpg/200px-Priorat_hillside.jpg)
The Priorat DOQ has been producing wine since the 12th century when
Priorat still has marked monastic influences, with many top estates prefixing their vineyards with
The region is one of only two Spanish Denominaciones de Origen Calificadas (DOC, or DOQ in Catalan), in recognition of outstanding consistency of quality, the other being the well-known
Tarragona
The Tarragona DOP is the Catalan wine region around the coastal city of Tarragona and has been a vital winemaking center of Catalan wines since the Roman times. For most of its history the region was known for its sweet fortified red wines made in a style similar to Port. In the 1960s, prior to earning DOP status in 1976, the area began to shift its focus to dry white wines and the production of red sacramental wine used by the Christian Church for Communion.[1]
Terra Alta
The Terra Alta DOP is Catalunya's southernmost wine region and one of the most mountainous – terra alta literally translates as "highlands". It is located to the south of the Priorat DO and shares a similar winemaking history. Today the area is known for its
External links
References
- ^ ISBN 0-19-860990-6
- ^ "Introducció". Institut Català de la Vinya i el Vi. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
- ISBN 0-671-68702-6
- ^ ISBN 0-7566-1324-8
- ^ ISBN 1-56305-434-5
- ISBN 1-84000-332-4
- ^ ISBN 978-0-983-77184-5
- ^ "Your 2022 Guide to Empordà Wine Route". 2022-05-12. Retrieved 2022-06-28.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-983-77185-2