 This
is an area which I have been expecting to take off for a number of years, as
the potential is certainly there. The inland climate has hot summer days and
cool nights, ideal ripening conditions for grapes. It also has an interesting
diversity of soils. Torres saw the potential here some time ago, and although
their top Chardonnay Milmanda has only had this D.O. on the label for the last
couple of years, the vineyards have always been here! Their new "Grans
Muralles" shows what the region can do in red wines, even with relatively
young vines. Likewise Josep Foraster are producing an interesting red from very
young vines that will improve considerably over the next few years.
| Vineyard area: |
9.900 Hectares |
| Authorised Production: |
7.000kg per hectare |
| Soil types: |
Mostly limestone. The Conca region is based around
two river valleys, the Francolí and the Anguera |
| Authorised varieties: |
Whites: Garnatxa blanca, Macabeu, Parellada
Reds: Trepat, Garnatxa, Ull de Llebre.
Experimental plantations of French varieties |
| Annual sunshine: |
2500 hours |
| Annual rainfall: |
550mm most of which fall in Autumn |
| Average temperature: |
14 ºC |
| Wine types: |
Mostly whites and cavas, some Rosés based on the Trepat
varietal |
| Notes: |
The area (just inland of the coastal mountains) is quite
dry, with cold winters and hot summers. A large proportion of the production
is linked to Penedès based cava producers, although in recent years a number
of companies have started producing quality wines, and reds based on Cabernet
Sauvignon and Ull de Llebre, although the former is not currently included
in the authorised varieties by the D.O. |
|
