Terra Alta (DO)

The Denomination of Origin (DO) Terra Alta is a wine region in the northeast of Spain. It is named after its geographic location, one about 740 km ² highland region.

Location

The for D.O. defined area is identical to the comarca of Terra Alta in the south of the autonomous region of Catalonia, in the west of the province of Tarragona. In the West, Terra Alta is adjacent to the region of Aragon, the northern border is about the Ebro. The DO includes the following 12 municipalities: Arnes, batea, Bot, Caseres, Corbera d' Ebre, La Fatarella, Gandesa, Horta de Sant Joan, El Pinell de Brai, La Pobla de Massaluca, Prat de Comte and Vilalba dels Arcs.

History

The viticulture in this region can be shown to the early Middle Ages: texts of laws Las Costums Orta from the year 1296 and of Miravet from the year 1319 to be rules for viticulture and wine production before.

In the 18th century wine was produced on a large part of the agricultural land of Terra Alta, circa 1900 were more than 5000 acres planted with wine.

Was predominant white grape variety Garnacha Blanca. Wine has been produced for local consumption and as a basis for Cava and the traditional Catalan products Mistela and Vi Ranci.

With the Spanish wine law of December 1970 ( ratified 1972), the Protected Designation of Origin " Terra Alta " has been introduced. The official recognition of the DO status and creating the control authority ( the Regulating Body ) was carried out on 28 May 1982 corresponding laws and by their confirmation on 22 July 1985.

Important changes to the rules were made in July 1995 - especially more varieties have been authorized.

Today (as of 31/07/2006 ) manage about 1650 wineries 6500 acres, wine is produced in 33 wineries. It is produced in roughly equal parts of white and red wine. 69 % of the wine meet the D.O. Specifications.

Ground

The vineyards are high between 350 and 500 m. In general, the soils quaternary origin, calcareous and loamy- clayey with structure. They are poor in organic matter and have a good water storage capacity.

Climate

The climate is Mediterranean with continental influences. The summers are long and hot with temperatures up to 38 ° C. In the cold winters, the temperature can drop to -5 ° C. There is plenty of sunshine and rainfall of 350 to 500 mm / year ( depending on the location ). Characteristic and with a strong influence on the wine are two winds - the dry north wind Cierzo and the cooling wind Garbi from the Mediterranean.

Wine

Recommended is the use of white varieties Garnacha Blanca, Macabeo and Parellada. Furthermore, Sauvignon Blanc, Moscatel de grano pequeño ( Frontignan ), Moscatel de grano grande ( Alejandria ), Chenin Blanc, Pedro Ximénez and Chardonnay authorized white grape.

Garnacha Tinta, Garnacha Peluda and Samsó ( Mazuela or Carignan ) are the recommended red grape varieties. In addition, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Garnacha and Syrah Tintorera are approved.

To achieve the D.O. Status has the following minimum or maximum alcohol content are met:

White: 12.5 % to 15 % by volume

Rose: 12% to 15 % by volume

Red: 12.5 % to 15 % by volume

Rancio, Mistela and sweet wines: 15% to 20 % by volume

Pearl and sparkling wine: 11% to 12.5 % by volume