Spanish wine map wine folly3/12/2024 The vineyards are found west of the city, chartering a path that includes the coastal town of Calafell and the village of Llorenç del Penedès, situated further north. The low-lying vineyards of Baix Penedès are easily reachable from Sitges, one of Catalunya’s most fashionable and charming summer resorts. The net result is a plethora of mesoclimates and soil types (including clay, limestone, and sand) divided into three distinct subzones: Baix Penedès, Alt Penedès, and Medio Penedès. There are two mountain ranges and a valley in the middle of the appellation, with certain sites rising to over 750 meters above sea level. This is made possible by the wonderfully varied topography of the zone elevation and aspect are key determinants of wine style in Penedès. Yet the flavors and styles produced in this diverse region run the whole gamut, from aromatic sparkling wine to elegant Pinot Noir and voluptuous Merlot. So one might expect a deluge of ripe, fruity wines for immediate consumption, which are easy to drink and forget. Situated west of Barcelona are the vineyards of Penedès, drenched in year-round Mediterranean sunshine. Geography and terroir Montserrat Mountain Range, overlooking vineyards Their self-imposed rule book is among the most stringent in Spain, producing long-aged sparkling wines that can slay Champagne in blind tastings. However, the newest member of this expanding club is Corpinnat, an appellation established in 2019 by ex-Cava winemakers Xavier Gramona, Ton Mata, and others. The regulatory framework goes above and beyond Cava: wines must be aged for at least 15 months before release, and only organically grown fruit can be used. In 2014, DO Penedès introduced a separate category known as Clàssic Penedès. Yet there is plenty of competition in the vineyards of Penedès. Single-vineyard bottlings are currently in vogue, too, sold as ‘Cava de Paraje Calificado.’ The DO introduced this new tier in 2016 to improve Cava’s reputation. But, like Champagne, there are many categories, including white, rosé, vintage, NV, and zero-dosage Cava. Thus, most Cava bears very little resemblance to Moet & Chandon and Krug: the fruit is riper, and the flavors have a spicier edge, with fennel and herbaceous notes much in evidence. Yet despite the encroachment of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, most growers use Spanish grapes – Macabeo, Xarel-lo, and Parellada – to make their sparkling wine. From one perspective, Cava is ‘Spanish Champagne’ – it uses the traditional method developed in northeastern France in the 18th century. The same could be said of Cava over 95 percent of Spain’s premier bubbly is made in Catalunya, mainly from the vineyards on a plateau surrounding Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. There is no ‘typical’ wine from Penedès, not least because attitudes and approaches to winemaking vary dramatically. However, they are also committed to championing ancient Catalan grapes like the red-skinned Trepat. The Torres family was one of the first to introduce modern equipment and French varieties to Catalunya in the mid-20th century. It’s all here: light and unoaked Sauvignon Blanc, barrel-fermented Xarel-lo, Pomerol-like Merlot, and exceptional Cabernet Sauvignon from Torres’ Mas La Plana vineyard. Founded in 1960, the DO covers red, white, and rosé wines that are difficult to pin down. It is arguably one of Spain’s most progressive DOs, having long welcomed international styles like Chardonnay and Merlot – an anathema to other appellations and winemakers in the country. Winemaking and regional classifications Agusti Torello's Mata Kripta CavaĪ tremendous amount of grape varieties are grown in Penedès.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |