June '24 Wine of the Month Club

Catalonia Spain

     The wine region of Catalonia is located in the northeast of Spain, south of the eastern Pyrenees, bordering France and along the Mediterranean coast. The region has almost 600 km of coastline, being strongly influenced by the maritime climate. The majority of vineyards in Catalonia are located in the south of Barcelona in areas that cover the coastal plain and hills to the west. Catalan wines, much like the culture of its people, exhibit a distinctiveness that sets them apart from those produced in the rest of Spain, contrasting with the Castilian, Galician, or Andalusian counterparts. In fact, during the autumn of 2014, a majority of Catalan voters expressed their support for secession from Spain through straw-poll ballots. Following this, separatist candidates triumphed in the regional elections a year later. Although the outcome of Catalan independence remains uncertain, the provinces of Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona are presently still part of Spain. 

     Catalonia boasts ten designated wine regions, predominantly focusing on grape varieties that thrive in the Mediterranean climate. Among the red grape varieties, Garnacha and Carignan (also known as Cariñena or Samsó) take precedence, while the white grape varieties include Garnacha Blanca and Xarel-lo. Throughout Catalonia, one can also find plantations of Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Trepat, which are complemented by the white varieties Parellada and Macabeo (known as Viura in Rioja), often utilized in the production of Cava, Spain's renowned sparkling wine. Catalan wines are known for their robust body and high alcohol content, attributes attributed to both the grape varieties employed and the warm climatic conditions prevalent within the region. Moreover, the finest wines of Catalonia offer an enticing minerality derived from vineyards sown in granite, chalk, and cracked slate soils.

     Stretching west from the Mediterranean toward inland hills and mountains, Penedès is ground zero for sparkling wine production. If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of Cava, chances are it came from Penedès, which accounts for around 95% of the world’s Cava production. But it’s not all bubbles, as Penedès has a small contingent of still-wine producers as well. Having enjoyed a tasty still varietal Xarel-lo (the most widely planted variety) I can attest that it is indeed possible to get a still wine from the area. Other good still-wine bets include Chardonnay, Muscat, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Tempranillo. Penedès has also been the standard bearer when it comes to advancement and innovation as it was here that stainless steel and cold fermentation were first used.

     Montsant is home to old vine Garnacha and Carignan. The region wraps around the smaller Priorat and shares much in common with its more famous neighbor, including vines planted at high elevation in similar soils and climate. The good news is folks are not as knowledgeable about Monsant, so wines come at more modest prices. Some refer to the wines of the region as “poor man’s Priorat” which seriously undermines how great these wines can be. In addition to Garnacha and Carignan, Syrah and Garnacha Blanca also play an important role in the wines of the region. Like Priorat, the wines can be bold with high levels of alcohol, but can also yield refined and mineral-driven wines when made from fruit grown in high-elevation, stony soils. It may live in Priorat’s shadow, but during a recent tasting that featured both Montsant and Priorat wines, my vote went to the Montsant wines.

Salud!

Carrie Upson- General Manager and Wine Buyer