Catalonia

Catalan wine is wine made in the Spanish wine region of Catalonia. The term may also be used to refer to some French wines made in the Catalan influenced region of Roussillon. The city of Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia and the focal point of the Catalan wine industry, serving as its primary consumer market, an exporting coastal port and source of financial investment and resources. The area has a long winemaking tradition and was the birthplace of the sparkling wine Cava, invented in the early 1870s in Sant Sadurní d'Anoia by José Raventos of Codorniu Winery. At the turn of the 20th century, the Catalan wine industry was at the forefront of Spain's emergence as a world leader in quality wine production, being the first Spanish wine region to adopt the use of stainless steel fermentation tanks. The area is also an important cork production region, with output aimed primarily at the region's Cava houses.^[1] For other uses, see Wine (disambiguation). ... The Spanish red wine grape Tintilla Spain is the third largest producer of wine in the world, the largest being France and the second Italy [1]. Historically, Spain has been known from the production of fortified wines and the best known Spanish wine is considered by some to be the... This article is about the Spanish autonomous community. ... French gastronomy France is one of the oldest wine-producing regions of Europe. ... The Catalans are an ethnic group or nationality whose homeland is Catalonia, or the Principality of Catalonia (Catalan: Catalunya, or Principat de Catalunya), which is a historical region in southern Europe, embracing a territory situated in the north-east of Spain and an adjoining portion of southern France. ... Coat of arms of Roussillon - see also senyera Flag of Roussillon Mount Canigó (Canigou) (2785m), a Catalan landmark Roussillon (French: Roussillon, pronounced ; Catalan: Rosselló, pronounced ) is one of the historical counties of the former Principality of Catalonia, corresponding roughly to the present-day southern French département of Pyrén... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (City of Counts) Postal code 08001–08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... For other uses, see Port (disambiguation). ... Winemakers often use carboys like these to ferment smaller quantities of wine Winemaking, or vinification, is the process of wine production, from the selection of grapes to the bottling of finished wine. ... A glass of sparkling wine A Sparkling wine cork It has been suggested that Spumante, Frizzante, Sekt and Cremant be merged into this article or section. ... // The invention of the telephone (1876) by Alexander Graham Bell. ... Sant Sadurní dAnoia is a municipality in the comarca of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain, and the centre of production of a sparkling wine known as cava. ... Codorniu Winery, the worlds largest producer of bottle fermented sparkling wine made by the traditional champagne method (methode champenoise), was founded in Spain in 1551. ... (19th century - 20th century - 21st century - more centuries) Decades: 1900s 1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s As a means of recording the passage of time, the 20th century was that century which lasted from 1901–2000 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar (1900–1999... Fermenting must. ... For other uses, see Cork. ...

History

Wine cellars of Catalan winery Torres.

Archaeological evidence suggests that the Phoenicians introduced winemaking to the region several hundred years before the Romans arrived there. Recovered pieces of amphora indicate that the Phoenicians traded ancient Catalan wines with the Egyptians. The Romans had a major influence in the development of Catalan wine-growing, particularly around Tarragona, the Roman capital of occupied Spain. With the fall of the Roman Empire in the 4th century AD and subsequent Moorish rule, Catalan wine production was severely curtailed. It was several hundred years before wine production began again in earnest.^[2]
In the 14th century, the Franciscan writer Francesc Eiximenis described Catalan wines as strong, dense, highly alcoholic wines which, although high quality, sometimes needed to be diluted with water.^[3] A turning point for the Catalan wine industry occurred in the 19th century with the outbreak of the phylloxera epidemic that ravaged the French vineyards to the north. Along with wines from the Rioja region, Catalan wines became a welcome import for French consumers suffering a severe shortage of domestic produce.
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 international grape varietals. The region received international attention in 1979 when a bottle of Torres 1970 Gran Coronas Black Label (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Tempranillo and Monastrell) was secretly entered into the "classified Bordeaux wine" category of the Gault Millau Wine Olympics and ended up winning that category.^[5] Archaeology or sometimes in American English archeology (from the Greek words αρχαίος = ancient and λόγος = word/speech) is the study of human cultures through the recovery, documentation and analysis of material remains, including architecture, artefacts, biofacts, human remains, and landscapes. ... Phoenicia was an ancient civilization in the north of ancient Canaan, with its heartland along the coastal plain of what is now Lebanon and Syria. ... Winemakers often use carboys like these to ferment smaller quantities of wine Winemaking, or vinification, is the process of wine production, from the selection of grapes to the bottling of finished wine. ... For other uses, see Roman Empire (disambiguation). ... Amphoræ on display in Bodrum Castle, Turkey An amphora is a type of ceramic vase with two handles, used for the transportation and storage of perishable goods and more rarely as containers for the ashes of the dead or as prize awards. ... Tarragona (IPA: in Catalan) is a city located in the south of Catalonia, northeastern Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. ... As a means of recording the passage of time, the 4th century was that century which lasted from 301 to 400. ... This 14th-century statue from south India depicts the gods Shiva (on the left) and Uma (on the right). ... The Order of Friars Minor and other Franciscan movements are disciples of Saint Francis of Assisi. ... Francesc Eiximenis (1340?-1409?, sometimes known as Francesc Examenis) was a Franciscan priest, encyclopedist and writer. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ... Grape Phylloxera (Daktulosphaira vitifoliae, family Phylloxeridae, superfamily Aphidoidea) is a serious pest of commercial grapevines worldwide, originally native to eastern North America. ... Rioja Wine Rioja is a wine from a region named after the Rio Oja in Spain, a tributary of the Ebro. ... Year 1872 (MDCCCLXXII) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian Calendar (or a leap year starting on Saturday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... The Penedès wine-making region of Catalonia in Northeast Spain lies to the south-west of the city of Barcelona. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon at Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. ... Tempranillo is a variety of vitis vinifera, the red grape used commonly in winemaking. ... Mourvèdre is a variety of wine grape grown around the world, and is Spains second-most important red wine grape after Garnacha, and was once Provences most popular grape. ... For the 1855 Exposition Universelle de Paris, Emperor Napoleon III requested a classification system for Frances best Bordeaux wines which were to be on display for visitors from around the world. ... Bordeaux with sub-wine regions A Bordeaux wine is any wine produced in the Bordeaux region of France. ... The tone or style of this article or section may not be appropriate for Wikipedia. ... A Wine Olympics was organized by the French food and wine magazine GaultMillau in 1979, three years after the historic Paris Wine Tasting of 1976. ...

Climate and geography

A section of the Montserrat Massif.

The Catalan wine region is located along the Mediterranean coast in northeastern Spain and is strongly influenced by its Mediterranean climate. Along the coast temperatures are warm with moderate rainfall but conditions become progressively more arid further inland.^[1] The majority of Catalan denominaciones lie to the south of the distinctive peaks of the Montserrat Massif, while smaller plantations lie to the north of Barcelona and south of the French border at the Pyrenees. The region is marked by warm climates along the coast and cooler temperatures through the foothills up to plateaus of more then 2,000 ft above sea level. The area has a diversity of soil types, mostly calcareous sediments mixed with alluvium and clay. Some of the most acclaimed vineyards in the region are found on some of the scatter limestone deposits in the area.^[5]  Areas with Mediterranean climate A Mediterranean climate is a climate that resembles the climate of the lands in the Mediterranean Basin. ... In geology, a massif is a section of a planets crust that is demarcated by faults or flexures. ... Pic de Bugatetin the Néouvielle Natural Reserve Central Pyrenees For the mountains in Victoria, Australia, see Pyrenees (Victoria). ... For other uses, see Plateau (disambiguation). ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... For considerations of sea level change, in particular rise associated with possible global warming, see sea level rise. ... soil types In terms of soil texture, soil type usually refers to the different sizes of mineral particles in a particular sample. ... Calcareous formed from or containing a high proportion of Calcium carbonate. ... Alluvium (from the Latin, alluvius, from alluere, to wash against) is soil or sediments deposited by a river or other running water. ... For other uses, see Clay (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ...

Grapes and wine

Xarel·lo grapes

The wines of the Catalan wine region include sparkling Cava, dry white wines and powerful reds, known as "black" wine or vi negre in Catalan, due to the colour of the grape. The grapes of the region include the Cava and white wine grapes of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo and the red wine grapes of Garnacha, Monastrell and Tempranillo.^[1] The production of sparkling white wine is the largest contributor to the Catalan wine industry, followed by production of still whites and then red wine. While the majority of the region's wines are blends, some varietal versions are also produced.^[5] Catalan (Català, Valencià) is a Romance language spoken by as many as approximately 12 million people in portions of Spain, France, Andorra and Italy, although the majority of Catalan speakers are in Spain. ... Macabeo (Maccabeo or Viura in parts of Spain) is a variety of wine grape. ... Parellada is a type of grapes primarily grown in Catalonia. ... Xarel·lo is a white grape specially grown in Catalonia. ... Grenache is a sweet red grape variety grown primarily for the making of wine. ... Varietal describes wines made from a single named grape variety. ...

Cava

A glass of Cava.

A Spanish sparkling wine was first made as early as 1851,^[4] although the true roots of the Cava wine industry can be traced back to José Raventos' travels through Europe in the 1860s, where he was promoting the still wines of his Codorniu winery. His visits to the Champagne region sparked an interest in the potential of a Spanish version of the sparkling wine, using the same production methods. The local Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel·lo grapes were well suited to this wine style, and whereas early versions were called champán or xampany after Champagne, Catalan winemakers wanted to distinguish their wines from the French counterpart. They adopted the name Cava after the Catalan word for cave, where the wines were traditionally stored.^[5] 1851 (MDCCCLI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... // The First Transcontinental Railroad in the USA was built in the six year period between 1863 and 1869. ... Location of the Champagne province in France The Champagne wine region (archaic English: ) is a historic province within the Champagne administrative province in the northeast of France. ... This article is about Champagne, the alcoholic beverage. ... For other uses, see Cave (disambiguation). ...

According to Spanish wine laws, Cava can be produced in six wine regions (such as Aranda de Duero, Navarra and Rioja) but 95% of Spanish Cava production takes place in the Penedès region. In order for the wines to be called "Cava" they must be made in the traditional méthode champenoise. Wines made via the low-cost "Charmat process" may only be called "Spanish sparkling wine". A rosé style of Cava is also produced in small quantities by adding still red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon, Garnacha or Monastrell to the wine. The first Cava to use the Chardonnay grape was produced in 1981.^[5] Catalan Cava producers pioneered a significant technological development in the sparkling wine production with the invention of the gyropallet, a large mechanized device that replaced hand riddling, in which the lees are consolidated in the neck of the bottle prior to disgorgement and corking.^[6] Nickname: Location of Aranda de Duero Municipality Aranda de Duero Government  - Mayor Ángel Guerra García (PP) Area  - City 126 km²  (48. ... Navarra is the Spanish name for Navarre (Basque: Nafarroa), an ancient kingdom in the Pyrenees, and now a province and an autonomous community in Spain. ... Rioja is a wine from a region named after the Rio Oja in Spain, a tributary of the Ebro. ... For the song by The Feeling, see Rosé (song). ... Oak-aged Chardonnay is particularly popular in the United States. ... Riddling (remuage in French) is a method of consolidating sediment in wine for its removal. ... Lees refers to deposits of dead yeast or residual yeast and other particles that precipitate, or are carried by the action of fining, to the bottom of a vat of wine after fermentation and aging. ...

Wine regions

Map of Catalonia

The Catalan wine region includes 9 Denominación de Origen (DO) and 1 Denominación de Origen Calificada/Qualificada (DOQ) region – the Priorat. The Catalunya DO is a generic appellation that covers the entire region for wines that do not fall under any other DO designation.^[1] Denominación de Origen (Designation of Origin - DO) is part of a regulatory classification system primarily for Spanish wines (similar to the French appellations) but also for other foodstuffs like honey, meats and condiments. ... The Catalunya Denominación de Origen (DO) was formally recognised in 2001 and was created with the specific purpose of providing commercial support to over 200 wineries (bodegas) that produced quality wine but which were not included in other specific DO’s in Catalonia. ... An appellation in its broadest sense is a name or designation. ...

Alella

Main article: Alella (DO)

The Alella DO is located near the city of Barcelona and was awarded DO 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 principle grape of the area is the Pansá 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.^[7] Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Barcelona (Catalan) Spanish name Barcelona Nickname Ciutat Comtal (City of Counts) Postal code 08001–08080 Area code 34 (Spain) + 93 (Barcelona) Website http://www. ... A car from 1956 Year 1956 (MCMLVI) was a leap year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The sweetness of a wine is defined by the level of residual sugar (or RS) in the final liquid after the fermentation has ceased. ... Oak-aged Chardonnay is particularly popular in the United States. ... Chenin Blanc (or often simply Chenin) is a widely grown wine grape variety, also known as Steen in South Africa, Pineau de la Loire in the Loire region of France. ...

Conca de Barberà

Main article: Conca de Barberà (DO)

The Conca de Barberà DO is located between the Costers del Segre, Penedès and Tarragona DOs with vineyards at elevations of around 1,600 ft (500m) 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.^[8] Costers del Segre is a Denominación de Origen (DO) in the province of Lleida (Catalonia, Spain) and is divided into several separate sub-zones. ... The Penedès wine-making region of Catalonia in Northeast Spain lies to the south-west of the city of Barcelona. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... For considerations of sea level change, in particular rise associated with possible global warming, see sea level rise. ... For other uses, see Limestone (disambiguation). ... Pinot noir (pi no nwar) is a red wine grape variety of the species Vitis vinifera. ... For the song by The Feeling, see Rosé (song). ...

Cabernet Sauvignon

Costers del Segre

Main article: Costers del Segre

The Costers del Segre DO is located near the city of Lleida along the Segre River. The landscape here is very arid with less then 15 inches (400 mm) of rainfall a year. There are extreme temperature variations throughout the year, with freezing cold winters and summertime highs in excess of 95°F (35°C). The river Ebro provides the irrigation vital to the viticulture of the area, which includes Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Macabeo, Merlot, Parellada, Pinot noir and Tempranillo plantations.^[9] Costers del Segre is a Denominación de Origen (DO) in the province of Lleida (Catalonia, Spain) and is divided into several separate sub-zones. ... Location Coordinates : Time Zone : CET (GMT +1) - summer: CEST (GMT +2) General information Native name Lleida (Catalan) Spanish name Lérida Founded 6th century BC Postal code 25XXX Website http://www. ... Segre is a river tributary to the Ebre with a basin comprising territories across three states: France, Andorra and Spain (although culturally they all belong to the Catalan Countries). ... Mid-19th century tool for converting between different standards of the inch An inch is an Imperial unit of length. ... For other uses, see Fahrenheit (disambiguation). ... For the Spanish truck maker of the same name, see Ebro trucks. ... Irrigation is the artificial application of water to the soil usually for assisting in growing crops. ... wine grapes Viticulture (from the Latin word for vine) is the science, production and study of grapes which deals with the series of events that occur in the vineyard. ... Merlot grapes on the vine. ...

Empordà

Main article: Empordà (DO)

The Empordà DO is located in the far north-east of Catalonia, among the foothills of the Pyrenees which border the French province of Roussillon. The area has a similar Mediterranean climate to other Catalan wine regions, but is more heavily influenced by the strong winds off the Mediterranean that moderate the risk of frost and vine diseases. It wasn't enough to prevent the outbreak of the phylloxera epidemic of the 19th century, which nearly destroyed the entire Empordà wine industry, with many vineyards only being replanted s recently as the latter half of the 20th century. The principle grapes of the region are Garnatxa (Grenache) and Cariñena (Carignane), which are primarily used for rosé wines.^[10] The Empordà Denominación de Origen (DO) (formerly Empordà-Costa Brava) is located in the comarca of Empordà, in the northeastern corner of the province of Girona (Catalonia, Spain). ... Pic de Bugatetin the Néouvielle Natural Reserve Central Pyrenees For the mountains in Victoria, Australia, see Pyrenees (Victoria). ... Frost on black pipes Frost is a solid deposition of water vapor from saturated air. ... For the Spanish wine region, see Cariñena (DO). ...

Montsant

Main article: Montsant

The Montsant DO 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.^[11] Montsant Denominació d’Origen (DO) is located in the south of the province of Tarragona (Catalonia, Spain) and covers 12 municipalities. ... Year 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday (link displays the 2001 Gregorian calendar). ... Falset (pop. ...

Pla de Bages

Main article: Pla de Bages

The Pla de Bages DO 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.^[12] Plà de Bagés Denominació d’Origen (DO) is one of the smallest DOs in Spain (600 ha) and is located in the province of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain), covering 18 municipalities. ...

Aqueduct in Tarragona built by the Romans.

Tarragona

Main article: Tarragona (DO)

The Tarragona DO 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 winning DO 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.^[13] Tarragona (IPA: in Catalan) is a city located in the south of Catalonia, northeastern Spain, by the Mediterranean Sea. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Iberian Peninsula. ... A glass of tawny port. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Sacramental wine is wine prepared for use in Christian liturgy as part of the celebration of the Eucharist. ... St. ... For other uses, see Eucharist (disambiguation). ...

Terra Alta

Main article: Terra Alta (DO)

The Terra Alta DO is Catalunya's southernmost wine region and one of the most mountainous – terra alta literally translates as "highlands". It is located to the to the south of the Priorat DO and shares a similar winemaking history. Today the area is known for its Garnacha Blanca wines and its growing red wine production.^[14]

Penedès

Main article: Penedès

Cava wines growing in the Penedès region.

The Penedès is the largest and most productive wine region of Catalona and is considered the birthplace of Cava. The region has a long winemaking history and due to its close proximately to Barcelona has always enjoyed a strong export market. In the 19th century it was one of the first Spanish wine regions to involve itself with large-scale commercial production of wine, mainly for export to post-phylloxera France. In the 1960s & 1970s, the Penedès region led the way in the Spanish wine industry's technological revolution, being the first wine region to adopt the use of temperature-controlled stainless steel fermentation tanks. The region also began to import more international varieties and better clonal vine selections of grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Pinot noir, Riesling and Sauvignon blanc.^[15]
The region is divided into three zones – the lowland Baix Penedès, the Penedès central which lies between coastal and inalnd mountain ranges, and the upland Penedès Superior or Alt Penedès. The warmer Baix Penedès, centered around the town of El Vendrell and extending to the Costa Daurada coastline, has long been known for its fortified wines made from Malvasia and Moscatel de Alejandría (Muscat of Alexandria), but has a growing reputation for non-fortified reds made from Cariñena, Garnacha and Monastrell.
The Central Penedès is located in a broad valley about 1,600 ft (500m) above sea level and centered around the regional capital of Vilafranca del Penedès. 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 the local strain of Tempranillo known as Ull de Llebre.
The Penedès Superior is located in the foothills of the Meseta Central plateau and is the coolest part of the region, used almost exclusively for white wine production.^[15] The Penedès wine-making region of Catalonia in Northeast Spain lies to the south-west of the city of Barcelona. ... The 1960s decade refers to the years from 1960 to 1969. ... The 1970s decade refers to the years from 1970 to 1979, also called The Seventies. ... For other uses, see clone. ... Gewürztraminer grapes on the vine Gewürztraminer (IPA: , sounds like guh-VERTS-truh-MEE-ner; IPA: in German; Croatian: ; Hungarian: ), sometimes referred to as Gewürz or Traminer, is a white wine grape variety that performs best in cooler climates. ... Riesling is a white grape variety and varietal appellation of wines grown historically in Germany (see German wine), Alsace (France), Austria, and northern Italy. ... Sauvignon blanc is a green-skinned grape variety which originates from the Bordeaux region of France. ... El Vendrell is a town located in Catalonia, Spain, wedged between the Mediterranean and the mountains, which have both shaped the places appearance, its customs and the character of its inhabitants. ... The Costa Daurada (Costa Dorada in Spanish, Golden Coast in English) is a 216 kilometers long coastline located on the coast of Catalonia, Spain, in the comarques of Baix Penedès, Tarragonès, Baix Camp and Baix Ebre. ... A fortified wine is a wine to which additional alcohol has been added, most commonly in the form of brandy (a spirit distilled from wine). ... Malvasia (also known as Malvazia) is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world. ... Muscat of Alexandria is a white wine grape that is a member of the Muscat family of Vitis vinifera. ... Vilafranca del Penedès is the capital of the comarca of the Alt Penedès in Catalonia, Spain. ... Topographic map of Spain Spain is located in southwestern Europe and comprises about 84 percent of the Iberian Peninsula. ... For other uses, see Plateau (disambiguation). ...

Priorat

Main article: Priorat (DOQ)

Terraced hillside of Priorat

The Priorat DOQ has been producing wine since the 12th century when Carthusian monks planted a vineyard and established a priory from which the region took its name. The area is known for its Cariñena and Garnacha based wines made from old, low yield vines that average 0.3 tons an acre (5 hl/ha). The area has a very hot mediterranean climate that allows the grape to ripen fully and produce wines with very high alcohol levels of up to 18%. The local Llicorella soil is of particularly poor quality, composed of quartz and slate, which also helps to limit yields. Vineyards are situated on steep terraces, largely unsuitable for mechanical harvesting. The Priorat still has marked monastic influences, with many top estates prefixing their vineyards with Clos in recognition of the region's early winemaking history, similar to the naming of many of Burgundy's grand crus.^[16] Despite the annual rainfall of the area being less then 16 inches (400mm), irrigation is not widely used due to the cool, damp nature of the Llicorella soil. Grapevine roots are able to tunnel through faults in the slate to find underground water reserves. ^[6]
The region is one of only two Spanish Denominaciones de Origen Calificadas(DOC, or DOQ in Catalan), in recognition of outstanding consitency of quality, the other being the more well-known Rioja. (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... Coat of arms of the Carthusian order Monasterio de la Cartuja, a former Carthusian monastery in Seville The Carthusian Order, also called the Order of St. ... A priory is an ecclesiastical circumscription run by a prior. ... Look up ton in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... An acre is the name of a unit of area in a number of different systems, including Imperial units and United States customary units. ... A hectolitre (hL or hl) is volume measure and a metric unit equal to 100 litres, or 10−1 m3. ... A hectare (symbol ha) is a unit of area, equal to 10 000 square metres, commonly used for measuring land area. ... For other uses, see Quartz (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Slate (disambiguation). ... Terraced vineyards near Lausanne The Incan terraces at Písac are still used today. ... Harvesting Concord grapes Mechanical harvesting of grapes has been one of the major changes in many vineyards in the last third of a century. ... A prefix is the initial portion of some object or term (typically in text or speech) with a distinct and he base semantics for a word. ... Cloister of Saint Trophimus, in Arles, France A cloister (from latin claustrum) is a part of cathedral, monastic and abbey architecture. ... The origins of Burgundys Grand crus can be found in the work of the Cistercians who, among their vast land holdings, were able to delineated and isolate plots of land that produced wine of distinct character. ... Rioja Wine Rioja is a wine from a region named after the Rio Oja in Spain, a tributary of the Ebro. ...

External links

• Pyrenees Guide to Catalan wines
• Map of Catalan wine regions

References