Catalunya

It is a region that does not feel like Spain. It is easy to forget the border separating it from Roussillon. With the vineyards stretching from Mediterranean coast to altitudes where cold is a useful quality factor, the region produces a wide range of wine.

There is Cava, Spain’s answer to champagne, of which 95% is produced in Catalunya, mainly from vineyards in and around Penedes. The industry is dominated by Codorniu and Freixenet. The winemaking method is the same as Champagne but the grapes are very different, with netural Macabeo dominating the blend. The late budding provides insurance to growers against spring frost. The flavors come from Xarel-lo, which is best planted at lower altitudes. Parellada is regarded as the finest Cava ingredient, providing apple flavors and crispness, if not over-produced. Lower yield and longer bottle ageing steadily improve the quality.

Penedes is the leading DO for still wines. International varieties are widespread than anywhere else in Spain, from pioneers like Miguel Torres. He is now nurturing the Catalan grapes for his finest red Grans Muralles. Catalunya DO encompasses all Catalan regions.

The hottest and lowest vineyards by the coast traditionally supply super-ripe Moscatel and Malvasia for dessert wines. Recently they are also producing Monastrell, Garnacha and Carinena for blended dry reds. Tarragona DO, immediately west of Penedes, also supplies raw material for Cava and also traditional sweet, heavy red wine, sometimes aged for long period to take on a rancio character.

Since 2001 the higher western vineyards had their own DO Monstant, with serious concentrated reds made from a wide range of grape varieties. Imported red varieties have replaced Garnacha Blanca in Terra Alta DO. The Costers del Segre DO is comprised of four widely scattered subzones, dominated by Tempranillo and other international varieties, with light but spicy varietals made on lower grounds in the northeast, while in the north it is similar to Somontano. The wines are more New World than Catalan.

Wine: Can Rafols dels Caus El Rocallis

Region / Country: Penedes Spain

Vintage: 2007

Grape: 100% Incrozio Manzoni

ABV: 13%                    

Price: HK$348

Tasting Date: 29 December 2011

Wineshark Score: 91

Very good quality Penedes premium white with pale gold colour and wide watery rims. Fairly intense and youthful nose of butter, toast, pear, ripe apple, cream, lemon and honey, the wine has medium acidity and fairly full-bodied, with good intense palate of lime, apple, toast, butter, pear, yeast, tropical fruit and oak. A fairly long length with a good balance on both fruit and autolytic characteristics. Ready to drink now but has potential for ageing of another 2-3 years.